Did you take a look at the thread "Stone veneer for fireplace"? I just posted photos of my stacked ledgestone fireplace. And Mamabear has some really pretty stone on her fireplace as well. I think either of these looks could be used in a transitional home. Our home is rustic, but with many transitional elements as well. Although we are using a split log mantel, I think a reclaimed wood beam would look great with the ledgestone. Hope this helps! (I tried to link the thread, but for some reason it won't work!)

BDL -- yes -- thats an original -- from a very late night auction on EBay! Really quite a fluke -- we didn't expect to get it! LOL! She will transfer back to the bedroom for the warmer months -- and another old portrait of lady in a cooler shade will be given the star position! LOL! BTW -- I do have a wonderful canvas transfer of a handsome gentlemen AND another one of a favorite Rembrandt too! So I believe in artworks of ALL sorts varieties and kinds! What matters most is that the artwork "speaks" to you -- and lives well in your home .... Jan

A poor place to leave a broom, in my safety conscious mind. (I know it's likely "artistic license"!). Some of us eschew fireplaces because they are notoriously inefficient. We have woodstoves. (this shot was taken before the mantel was in place). Sometimes we like the stove enough to order another for another space, but we choose a slightly different model.

Of course I never took a picture of it...but the fireplace in our basement, which we built out as several rooms...an office/sitting room where the fireplace is...was made of old factory brick from our city, and some of the bricks still had the remnants of the painted advertising on the buildings. Some of them were "clinkers" - black and shiny from something that happens in the firing. But it was dark and looming and not pleasant. So I mixed three parts water and one part paint (the light tan latex of the walls) in a bucket, washed it onto the wall with a really big brush, and followed along blotting with a handful of rags. The effect was to lighten, soften, and tone in the brick without sacrificing its texture and interest. It looked great, and it was easy and fast...I do not have Oceanna's talents at all!