I wouldn't think a mechanical item that only lifts a lightweight piece of art would be subject to the same "aging" as a heavy-duty lift that hoists cars into the air all day. I wouldn't want to lift it off by hand -- but perhaps I think that because I'm short, and it wouldn't be easy for me to reach. And then where would you set the piece of artwork while you're watching TV? An option that hasn't been mentioned, though I have no personal experience with it: You can get "see through" mirrors that hide a TV. When the TV's off, it looks like a plain mirror. I think that sounds pretty good, though the price is high.

bebetokids, that's pretty funny about the wall o' wood. I like that term! but your wall o' wood is very beautiful and nicely done. jo, that's funny about the leather sectional! ours are actually two full-size leather couches, placed in an L-shape. I wanted the sectional, but DH said he felt like he'd be stuck with one decorating option forever with a sectional. which we still are with the couches, but whatever...he thinks he has options and I guess that's all that matters! we love the loft, too. it was DH's add to the plans and it really worked out nicely. he simply widened the upstairs hallway to create the loft. z8grandma, I have oft repeated your now famous (in my mind, at least) lipstick phrase to my friends. It makes me laugh now and I swear I'm even going to fit it into the story I'm writing about how to install a TV over a fireplace. that people need to do as much as possible to avoid that potentially unfortunate result. I am sorry I was such a grouch about it all back then. I had definitely lost my sense of humor somewhere during the build. I think it was buried in the concrete in the basement.

A few things: First oruboris, what do you mean about the painting retracting to hide the TV, can you elaborate in detail please? Second the first thing you have to decide is wood or is it gas. Wood fireplaces can get much hotter especially all around the fireplace and up the wall. I would suggest using thermal measurements by a professional to decide whether or not it is a good idea, because you don't want anything to catch fire and this is a thing that you might even want to ask the local firehouse about. It's not a game and it's not something you want to mess with, because you can catch your house and others on fire. If you have a gas fireplace it can be much safer because they burn cooler than that of wood fireplaces and they are controlled. You can ask actually ask the company how hot they can get, where wood fireplace depends on the wood, how much wood, what else is burning, and how it's burning in the fireplace's condition. I suppose it's possible to build a great shield around the fireplace to protects the television from to much heat but it would be a serious endeavor, and one that needs planning, and testing before anything is put up above the fireplace. After all you're not only putting together this for you but you also are putting it together for future owners or possibly current owners or people that are not familiar with how much wood put the fireplace for example. Even with most shielding I probably could build a fire in a fireplace that would melt a TV. Again the gas fireplace is different and controlled. But you still have to think about all the heat, ergonomics, recommended distance, recommended viewing angles etc. You also have to think about speaker placement, surround sound, the studs/wires etc in the wall to mount the mount for the TV, etc. It for gas you can just take a little temperature gauge, or a thermometer that is portable and put it above the fireplace in different positions take measurements. If you have made it cool enough with a mantle or/and a heat shield and you don't mind the TV being a bit high, go for it. However check with the manufacturer of both the fireplace, and TV, make sure that they can approve it. You might also want to check with the builder of the house to make sure there's nothing in the wall that could be damaged. Then again if you have the ability and still want to them go do it. I personally do not have the ability so I would have to have somebody do it, so I would call a professional. I'm in the same position. I'm going to have for new house and I don't know whether to get a fireplace and then put a TV there or not get a fireplace and just put a TV in the regular area that be a fireplace with a better viewing area, better ergonomics, and a better atmosphere for television watching. But it will not be very romantic. That's why I asked about the retractable painting. It might be an idea to hide the TV and pull it out and if there's a mount that allows it to come out and then down. Then you could have the best of both worlds as long as you don't turn on the fireplace with the tv in the down position. Of course you would have to try to hide the TV behind the painting or a hole in the wall and that probably won't work with the fireplace there. So for me it's either have the TV or have the fireplace. Otherwise it just seems too much one area. If I had a wood fireplace I would just not do it. You also have to think about all the other electronics such as the cable/satellite box or the Xbox or the receiver (or and, and, etc). That kind of rules out the TV over the fireplace because where would you put all these other boxes?? HP

I'm not a mason or engineer, but what I'd want to see is a structure of some sort to carry the weight of any bricks left above the opening down to a weight bearing surface below. Something as simple as 2x4 framing at the sides of the cabinet opening would probably be fine, and it sounds like you've already given this a lot of thought and have more hands on experience than I do with these issues. Since I live in earthquake country [everyone does, acutally: its just a matter of frequency], I do worry about a chimney taking a tumble during a during a tremble. Love the idea of re-using the bricks. I want to incorporate some of the materials from my great grandfather's homestead cabin in my new home. Materials that carry the weight of memory are much more interesting...