Hi all! Looking for advice on how to deal with an eyesore fireplace without spending a fortune.
We bought our house in early 2025 - it was built in the late 1930s and has clearly gone through multiple renovations over the years with no real thought given to keeping anything neutral or cohesive. We inherited a large gray stone fireplace that clashes badly with our warm-toned kitchen. The two spaces are open to each other, so there's no escaping it. On its own it’s fine, but it just does not work next to the kitchen. Contractors have quoted us ~$10k to remove it - which isn't happening anytime soon after a year of unexpected major repairs.
The fireplace also has built-in bookshelves on either side, which I'd love to repurpose but currently feel like they're just framing something ugly. We have a green sofa that I really love, but the fireplace completely dominates the room.
I've been loosely eyeing limewash paint or a tile overlay as potential lower-cost fixes, but I honestly don't know where to start. Has anyone successfully transformed a stone fireplace on a budget? Would love to see before/afters or hear what worked for you! Rug recommendations are welcome, too! We aren’t trying just trying to make the room a bit more cohesive.