I can't quite figure out what you don't like about your fireplace and tile because you didn't include a photo of the whole room. I like what I see. Black fire box. Contrasting red print. I like the marble. You could remove the wood trim and replace with rounded tile trim in a glossy or matte black.

If you like the look of white brick fireplaces, why not clad that whole wall in white brick or stone or tile? You could then paint or refinish the black fire box in white or a lighter metal finish if the contrast is too much.

BTW - I love the bear print :)

I have a similar fireplace (sans the tile), though mine is not black metal. IMO, it's a great look because it's simple and black, which means it already has clean lines and a modern aesthetic. Aside from the marble tile, you can't get more inoffensive than a simple black fireplace. The problem is you have furniture where it shouldn't be, namely too close to the tile front and hiding the fireplace. Do you rent or own? If you own, replace the marble tile with a black slate to match the fireplace.

Also, I want to point out that the fireplace is not "tiny." It looks small to you because you're probably doing what a lot of people do, which is think about the fireplace mantel, which is the material that frames a fireplace. If you are able to renovate and want to build up that space, you would most likely just need to install a mantel around the black metal, which you could keep whole, cover over with the brick, or replace with a different material.

If you want a white brick mantel, you can definitely do that and keep the black metal. I think the combination would be timeless and modern.

Some examples of fireplace mantels: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZas89/h_d2/Navigation?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

Rent or own?

Plants! i would try a tallish, upright houseplant on the right side. Add a shorter, leafier one on the left, with maybe a third smaller one next to it. the marble is a nice, forgiving surface for houseplants, and the graceful lines would help break up the square on square feel of this part of the room.

What about painting the wall around the fireplace a darker color so that the contrast between the fireplace and the wall color isn't so stark?

Paint it the color of the dark grey in the marble?

It actually looks good the way it is but you could paint the fireplace wall black, done.

Remove the print above. Get stock molding from a home improvement store and create a mantel around the fireplace. I think this would substantiate it, make it look more intentional, and you could do it in whatever style you like. Definitely nail in thicker pieces of moulding on the sides and top, then create a shelf above to create a real "mantel", which would allow you to do some great display. You may not be able to do this if you are renting, but even if you are, I think it would look better. If you want it to be very temporary and removable, you could just create the 3-piece frame separately and then screw it into the wall around the fireplace with a few screws. There's a lot of possibilities for this project- have fun!

It's awfully plain. I think if you painted the angled wall that holds the fireplace inset in a deeper color, that would help define it. You can make a cover for the tile out of reclaimed wood. The wood could be painted or plain barnwood. That seems like a low cost DIY project you could try. You could add a mantle, but I kind of like that it doesn't have one, and probably doesn't need it. I rather like the bear print, but I don't like that it is the only white thing in the photo. Add more white, or paint the frame black to match the firebox.

It looks very "clean, modern, and inviting" as-is. The only thing I would suggest is to switch out the marble tile for something more modern. How about white-painted brick, for example?

If you're bent on changing something bigger, try going to an architectural salvage yard and investing in an antique mantel. An angular, Craftsman-style mantel would be nice with the MCM-ish cabinet, etc. You could paint it any color you fancied.

Where did you get the bear print? I love it.

I actually like this and I think that unless you're willing to do a completely, true overhaul of the wall and fireplace you should keep it as it is, now. It's unobtrusive, it doesn't look horribly dated and it doesn't compete with the furniture and beautiful artwork you have in that photo. If you try to do a quick, cheap re-do of the wall or the tile, I can almost guarantee you'll have the fireplace as a focal point and not in a good way.

I honestly don't see anything wrong here....though I do see the potential for regret by faffing around with it. The bear print is GORGEOUS over the fireplace and given what little I can see of the room in the photo provided, I think it's quite likely working a LOT better than you think it is. :)

I made a mantel out of particle board and trim for under $100. I had a really similar situation of a corner fireplace. Here's how that turned out: https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/560693_4649297072009_1883110514_n.jpg

Can't really help you answer your question because "as is" looks pretty good to me.

"Rent or own?"

It's my understanding that if you live in a "condo", you own. Am I wrong?

Assuming that the fireplace is non-functional (hence the candles), I'd be inclined to pull up the marble tiles and refinish the floor - presumably the floorboards contiunue under the tiles.

I second painting the wall a dark color - maybe a dark steel grey, almost black. Sherwin Williams Cyberspace is a good one. After that what about a thick floating wood mantel? Something with a live edge would be fantastic. For a change in the firebox logs painted matte white would add a great contrasting display.

@Blandwagon - It's possible they rent a condo.

@Charlotte, and anyone else who is interested - the bear print is off etsy, from the shop Banquet. http://www.etsy.com/listing/71439412/large-print-red-bear-screen-print

Cheers, Pi.

If you own, I'm with the build a mantel and replace the marble with dark slate. Think the bottom half of this image: http://www.houzz.com/photos/1481460/Modern-Fireplace-2-modern-fireplaces-chicago But that's MY design aesthetic.

If you really like white brick, they apparently have thin pieces of brick that you can buy and place like tile, but with mortar, so you could literally DIY a simple mantel out of wood, "tile" it with brick, and then paint the whole thing white. I think it would be cool if you did this on the sides, and then topped it with the live-edged mantel that HealeyGirl suggested.

I like it. Maybe plants or candles or stuff in front of the screen as silhouettes. Would cover some of the marble. Looks like u build a beautiful place. Spent more time on ur surroundings than the fireplace.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/mosaic-tile-fireplace-surround-106295

Would this one complement the bear? http://www.mosaicbasics.com/

Maybe sinking the current tiled area so it is flush with the floor!? I donâ