Could stone on both sides of our fireplace and built-ins be added?

Yes, I don't see why not. It will make quite a mess and you may have to redo all of the stone unless you have a mason do it for you. You may also be able to lower the mantle a little if you use metal studs. And while the wall is open, have electric sockets put just above the mantle so you don't have to run cords down to the floor.

It’s beautiful...but I see what you are meaning. Try first removing all the things from the mantle up...including the lovely picture. ( Maybe move it to the right hand wall?) The mantle is too high for the remaining height of the wall. Experiment with muted vertical striped wallpaper just on the upper end wall before tearing any stone out. (You might like to do the side walls in the same vertical stripe some day.) Your trio of lights call attention to the disproportionate line issue. Perhaps you would like lighting along the side walls maybe behind a moulding type valance, that shine both up and down. A large mirror the width of the fireplace opening might look great.

I think shelving would only add to the visual width of the fireplace no matter how much you might carve off from it. Horizontal shelves, even in vertical cabinetry, are still horizontal. Drawing your focus away from the fireplace might be your best bet.

Sure can. Just remove the stones you want with a heavy hammer and brick chisel. You may need to cut some to square off the fireplace. Will take time and be kind of messy.

be careful-you could end up having to take out entire thing.

Why not add shelving to the above area of fireplace-and incorporating it into the fireplace-then you could paint the whole area -to blend-cream or white wash

another reason it looks "funny" is the wall color is "clean" and your fireplace is "dirty". read Maria Killam. You might just need a different paint color.

I like your idea, but I would have a (good) professional remove the stone. He/she can break the probably thin pieces properly and re-secure them. Then you can add whatever you want.

I think if a professional was doing the removal then yes. You could end up with a mess if you diy the partial stone removal unless you are familiar with the project. The mantle is too high for the height of your ceilings and adding items, although they are lovely, just exacerbates the issue. If you have unlimited or hefty funds for the project I would suggest all of the bulky stones be removed and a flat stone-granite or something similar--be put in place with the bookends on each side. This will give you a clean, fresh look. Granite tiles are FAR less expensive than slab would be. If you're going to make a mess anyway, might as well go with a full redo which will raise the value of your property!

I agree that this is a job for a professional to remove the stones without making a mess and having an edge that would look good. If you have a good carpenter, you could have built ins made on both sides where the bottom is fake (just doors with the stone behind) and then real shelves on the upper portion. This way the only stone that would need to be cut would be the mantel. Might work.

Very nice

Hi there, Having had that type of fireplace I would suggest you have another think, as to cut through the stones and make a tidy edge using a Rotary Saw is exceedingly messy (Dust) and in all honesty would not give you muck back for your trouble. Does the Hearth go full length, if so and even if not you could stand a free standing unit on each side to match or maybe, had you thought to add the cabinets on the return walls instead on each side ?or wall cabinets above the fireplace?

I agree that removing the stone is a dirty Jon. Try painting the sides and adding shelves.

This could be a very messy and expensive job and you may end up having to redo the whole fireplace again. Have you looked at Stencils lately? You would be amazed at how wonderful the patterns are, even Morocan tile patterns which I think would compliment your fireplace. Just cut some hardboard to size, paint it and stencil the tiles on top, then glue the hardboard to the stones.

Try Cutting Edge Stencils or Royal Design Stencils. Here's a place to start.

https://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/moroccan-tiles-wall-pattern.html

Thanks for all the answers. I think the majority agree it would be a mess. I agree. We would not do this ourselves. Taking rhe entire wall of stone may be the best alternative.