modify fireplace

[drblkjk]

I am purchasing a home that is 23 years old and I want to have some remodeling done. All of the remodeling will be done within the existing exterior walls – no additional square footage will be added. One of my early concerns is related to increasing the size of the kitchen (stealing from an adjacent bedroom); however, in doing this I need to “take” an existing fireplace out. This is a fireplace that is wood burning, currently in the corner of the bedroom and along an exterior wall. I think my options are to just remove the fireplace all together. Another is to let the fireplace face the exterior – it might be a nice patio area fireplace. Or the last option is to have the fireplace face into the kitchen. I am considering the last option as this is unique and may add a warm feature to the kitchen! My questions are related to cost and practicality. Is it relatively easy to manipulate an existing fireplace? Should I make this a fully contained fireplace insert hooked up to gas? Thus, I just push a button in the morning and have instant heat? Are there varying sizes of fireplaces to make sure the fireplace does not take up too much room in the kitchen?

[Rich]

Most woodburning fireplaces are solid masonry. The issue that will come when you begin revamping it is - tearing out the masonry to essentially turn it around there won't be anything to hold up the rest of the masonry on that side.
I would probably do like you suggested and tear out the brick fireplace completely and put in an insert. Then all you need is an exterior wall and some framing. This also gives you much more flexibility in what it looks like and where you want it. Fireplaces come in many different sizes - from 24" to 6' or bigger I suppose.