Inspiration for the fireplace upgrade

I like the fireplace in your home. Why not copy it for your rental? I seems like an easy job. Good luck!

Make those lines disappear! It's what the eye is pulling at and makes it seem so boxy and like it's taking more space from the room than it is.

Your fireplace is lovely and a great template to go with.

For minimum work and effort keep bellow the mantle tiled and possibly paint it? For top, sheet rock that can hang a beautiful large mirror!

But those lines are what's doing that fireplace the biggest injustice!

Good luck!

Because it's rental and sometimes renters can be hard on things, I'd just paint the grout the same color as the tile. I think you'll see a large, pleasing difference with just doing that for very little expense. I would not go to any great expense of installing stone or retileing.

I agree, the lines are distracting. Since its not a hard used surface (i.e. walked on, etc.) painting them may be the way to go, but the bench area in front might wear off faster.

I'd duplicate the fireplace in your home in your rental. I agree about using drywall above the mantle - it would break up the bulkiness of the fireplace. It would also allow tenants to hang art, a mirror, or even a TV above the fireplace. When you do the remodel, I'd make sure that you allow for the possibility of a TV installation above, so you don't need cords, etc. cluttering the mantle. I'd also eliminate any brass elements on the firescreen. Whatever you do don't paint the tile or the grout lines! That would be a disaster.

I would try to duplicate , with dry wall to break up . Personally I don't like TVs above fireplaces, I think it distracts greatly from the beauty of the fireplace as a center of a room. But art above a fireplace is great. If I was adding dry wall I would add an electric outlet discreetly. I would do away with the tile, leaving just a surround of tile and tile (or another surface on the hearth) . If you plan to sell at some point, making it as neural as possible is key. Neutral in color as well as style. I would NEVER paint the tile. The heat from the fireplace may interfere. And if you have to wash off soot, it could be a disaster.

so, does the stone or tile I choose for below the mantle matter? I don't want a real modern look because the house isn't modern. I don't know how to keep with the style of the house.

One consideration could be painted(white) brick below the mantle but the outside of the house is brick....is that keeping with the style of the house or overkill?

there is a great variety of textured paint, from stone effect to metallic , it would be quick,and will cover up the grout lines too!

Brick veneers come in lots of colors and would probably adhere to tile without much trouble. Go with a neutral shade for brink and no painting necessary. Definitely go with drywall above mantle. As for the mantle itself I've seen wooden caps that go on ceilings to give the appearance of beams. As I recall 80's style had some rustic elements. But you could make it ultra chic or as casual as you like with materials you chose for the mantle.