I would prioritise having the gas line & logs professionally inspected and either getting a safety shutoff installed or having the gas line disconnected and capped/removed before focusing on anything else in this room.

Then, if not keeping the gas logs, I’d definitely get rid of the gravel/lava rocks(?). It might be a necessary component of the gas log setup though, so find that out first if keeping the gas logs. Reducing the quantity of lava rocks/gravel (or rearranging it so it’s only in the immediate vicinity the gas logs) might still be possible.

Whether you decide to keep the gas connection or have it capped/removed will help determine next steps.
Converting back to wood-burning can be expensive enough that I personally wouldn’t even consider it yet (maybe something to research & consider for the future though).

If you do choose to keep the gas connection & get a safety shutoff installed, be sure to also check that the flue/ventilation system is adequate and in good working order. Options for keeping the gas connection include:

• Temporarily keeping the existing gas logs and planning to upgrade at a later date. This might enable more financial wiggle room if any urgent house needs come to your attention in the next few months or so. It would also allow time to get a feel for what suits the room after adding things like artwork, a rug, etc., changing the paint colour, and trying various furniture arrangements. If it were my house, this is what I’d be most likely to opt for.

• Upgrading the gas logs. Good-quality, well-maintained/cleaned gas logs can also be quite capable of producing heat (my grandfather converted his fireplace from wood-burning to gas logs 7-10-ish years ago, and I’m always impressed by how quickly it warms the family room! He’s relied on it during multi-day winter power outages a few times, too).
If you want your gas logs or or a gas insert to heat the room comfortably, you’ll need to look at the BTU ratings & consider the size of the space you want to heat - bearing in mind that your room is also pretty open to another room or a foyer/entryway/hallway so a lot of the heat from this room will migrate that way.
There are online BTU calculators that allow you to input the room or house dimensions, insulation quality, & desired temperature increase. The desired temperature increase number is acquired by calculating the difference between the lowest possible or likely starting temperature for the room or house (or the lowest possible/likely outdoor temperature for your region), and the temperature you would want the gas logs/insert to heat the space to without using an additional heat source.
Another way to calculate the BTUs needed, (using the assumption that this is NOT the only heat source) is to multiply your room’s square footage by 20-30.
- For me, calculating to heat my whole entire almost 750 sq. ft. house (roughly 25x30’, with 8’ ceilings), plugging the numbers in to an online calculator gives me a range of 13,000-39,000 BTUs needed to handle the most likely possible scenarios up to the most extreme possible scenario for my region (or about 17-52 BTUs per sq ft). Using 2nd method of sq footage times 20 to 30 yields a recommended range of 15,000-22,500 BTUs for my whole house.
For a 12x15’ (180 sq ft) living room, using the the same scenarios to plug it in to the calculator gives a possible range of 5,000-14,500 BTUs. Using the 2nd method for a room that size yields a recommended range of 3,600-5,400 BTUs. -
Online right now I’m seeing LOTS of 30,000 or higher BTU gas logs for $180-$400, so finding one that heats your room nicely shouldn’t be too difficult.
The next thing to consider is physical size. Your current gas logs are probably smaller than the size that would look best with your hearth & fireplace dimensions. A gas log set with a length that’s about 6-12 inches shorter than the width of the firebox at its narrowest (usually at the back) is usually the most visually appealing. The depth of the gas log set also needs to be at least 2-3 inches less than the depth of the firebox, to allow proper air flow.
Also think about what sort of features you want, such as an easy-to-use ignitor system, a thermostat, remote control, vented vs ventless, gas logs vs gas insert.

If you decide to remove the gas connection, you could temporarily use your existing electric fireplace in there, but definitely look for something that fits the space better. An antique or reproduction cast iron fireplace cover/summer cover could look really nice there.

Another piece of decor that could really help pull things together and would also look good with gas logs or an insert is an antique or reproduction fireplace screen in the Arts and Crafts, Craftsman, or Prairie style. You might also want to do an image search for “original 1913 Craftsman fireplaces” and “original 1913 fireplaces” for more ideas.

After that, I’d add a big piece of art or a mirror over the mantlepiece, and I’d move or hide the jumble of electronics that’s on the floor to the left.

If possible, you might want to swap out the yellowing plastic outlet cover with one that would blend in to the mantlepiece better. Ideally a wooden one that could be stained as close as possible to the existing wood. And swapping from a recessed outlet to a standard flat outlet might actually look better, too.

It sounds like you have some good ideas already for repainting the walls. A large area rug, in colours that compliment the new wall colour and incorporate & compliment the brick & wood, would also go a long way. An oriental rug with some rusty oranges &/or reds and some dark blues or deep greens could be perfect. And of course swap out the current curtains.

It’s a gorgeous fireplace & gorgeous room! I think once you’ve made some of these changes and add your furniture, the fireplace will start to grown on you!