I think you'd be a fool to rip it out or alter it in any way.

Personally, I would keep the wood and marble. It's different, and makes the fireplace quite a presence. The only thing I would try to get rid of is that trim around the fireplace with the gold corners (or is that part of the marble?).

I would definitely get rid of those pictures and the stuff in front of the fireplace!

OMG. People like you don't deserve to have nice architectural details like this.

The picture is kind of small, so I can't really see details. That said, I love touches of unique wood in a room. IMO, staining it a dark brown would obscure the character of the wood.

I'd leave the wood untouched as long as possible.
I'd remove the paintings, replace the marble/brass, and see how it works with all your belongings. If you're still unhappy, then start on the wood.

I'd leave the wood and marble alone. See if you can change the brass (I assume?) to another finish like brushed nickel.

If you do insist on changing the color, please use paint instead of stain. It will be easier to change it back should you ever sell or decide you shouldn't have changed it in the first place.

I can't see some of the details (like I didn't realize there were glass doors), but the thing that people like about tiger oak is its distinctive grain, which you'd obscure if you stained it dark. Then it would just be stained oak.

If you don't want it, you should have it all removed carefully and sell it -- I'm sure someone would want it. But if you keep it, it would provide a great counterpoint to a more modern decor.

Welll...if you do rip it out...call me. I'd love to get my paws on that wood for other projects. ;)

Definitely remove and sell it or leave as is. I think it would still look quite nice if the side wood panels were removed (and sold) and the rest of the fireplace left intact. If your style were more modern I think it would be a very interesting foil to modern furnishings.

Please do not paint or stain it. Please.

If the OP decides to "update" her place (which IMO, would be a waste and a mistake) there are plenty of people who would pay through the nose to come and carefully remove the mantel and surrounding paneling - I would hope that she find a local salvage resource or someone who is restoring their old home to come remove this treasure instead of paint, modify or "rip out" and toss in a dumpster.

ditto palindrome--If you're going to go to that much trouble modifying it, why not looking into having it removed altogether and resold? You might be able to interest an architectural salvage company in it, and then everyone would be happy: you could put in something that you really like, and the surround could go to someone who really loves it.

Thanks for all your comments - this is exactly why I love AP. I think I'm going to leave the fireplace as as is and just change the brass/chrome glass door to something more low profile. I think that right now, I'm distracted by the seller's furnishings and decorations. Once they move out, I'll be able to see the beauty of the fireplace for what it is.

I would think about doing something with the window coverings. I think the contrast between the valance and the wood of the fire place (especially the height differences) is what may be making it look more out-of-place for you. Congrats on your new home!

Last night I stained our antique tiger oak pedestal table a very dark stain--Ebony, by minwax (Actually, we spent several weeks sanding it and preparing it, which is the difficult part). The dark stain does NOT affect the visibility of the tiger stripes. They still appear lighter than the rest of the wood, and only absorb a portion of the stain. We did not like the traditional oak stain, and the table looks even more unique and beautiful now, with the dark dark stain and the sort of greyish tiger stripes (they would not be grey with a dark brown stain, they would be lighter brown). If you want it stained darker, and you can take the time to prepare the mantel, then go for it.

Peardown is right, the window "coverings" are really distracting. Once the current owners presonal items are out and you can rip down those valances it will look much better.

i'm not sure if the fireplace needs to be modified, the picture is kinda small for one thing, and i'm not an expert, but to my eye, the fireplace is the best thing in the room by far

I think once the current owners stuff is gone you'll love it. I see lots of hollywood regency / deco / modern possibilities.

If it ends up not working for you its no shame, that thing is INTENSE all that wood and dark marble. Agree that if you decide to change it majorly you could cover the cost of a replacement build by just selling this thing complete.

heck, get credit for it and get a differnt salvaged peice maybe.

It is absolutely gorgeous! Please don't hurt it!

Leave the fireplace and cover the plain wood panels (what a waste of space, imho) and replace with bookcases (if you have room behind the footing - can't tell from the photo). Am not keen on those valences over the windows either. However, the fireplace is beautiful.