We had woodburning fireplaces in our first two homes. When we built this home 11 years ago, we went with gas (propane, not natural). We do not have an odor. We have real flames. We have the warmth and it can be used when the power is off (although you can't turn the blower/fan on then, but we don't use it much anyway). Our house is very energy efficient and unless the power is out (which is rare), we do not need a fire for heat. I, too, like the firelogs. They are cleaner than wood. Easy to start also. With a wood burning fireplace, it will sometimes bother those with allergies so if that's a problem for you, take it into consideration. You can get odor and they are more messy with the ashes, etc. I think sometimes the odor is moreso from not cleaning the ashes out soon after a fire. We have an outdoor woodburning firebox, which we enjoy, so I really feel like we get the best of both. We are almost always able to cut our own wood, I'm not sure what it costs in our area. I hate to say it, but we have not used our fireplace yet this winter. That will probably change this coming weekend! tina

I like the look, although I don't know anything about gel fuel fireplaces. I am confused by your statement that a gas fireplace is hidden behind glass--my fireplace (natural gas) has nice realistic looking oak logs, and lives happily behind my bronze/cast iron surround and it's open grille-work front. Granted, it doesn't crackle, but the flames are open and look real, and put out heat. Since I had a chimney already, I just hooked a new set of logs (once I found some small enough to fit the area) up to the existing piping. If you are going for an insertish thing, I think they make ventless ones...and I thought it was an option on any of them to remove the glass panels?

If you go the gel, electric or ventless route keep in mind building codes. California does not allow ventless FP installation - you would not be able to have one shipped to CA. If you have any children or pets I would be concerned about unprotected candles set at ground level with a backing - plain drywall - that is not fireproof. "Faux" fireplaces with groupings of candles shown in most decorating mags and shows are non-working fireplaces with full masonry interiors. THe picture callaloo posted shows candles that are very close to the wall and the top of the wooden mantel - I suspect if those candles are ever lit the underside of the mantel probably shows quite a bit of soot and would be very hot to the touch. Candle flames can get deceptively hot. As someone who almost had our house burned down from a freak candle incident I am VERY careful where and when I light candles. Placed anywhere near a wall the candle needs to be completely enclosed in glass and should never be placed under anything flammable. Keep in mind a fireplace mantel is decorative in function. THe mantel is outside the fire place and is protected by the masonry that is over the actual fire.

Thanks guys, all good thoughts and I appreciate all the feedback :). Ellen, all good ideas and ones I have been considering for a while, the planks seemed to fit the entry area more than doing a board and batten style or picture frame type style. The planking just seemed to fit the long walls of the entry and allow a way to create a little interest without a cluttered look of trying artwork or a framed gallery design etc. for the very small/tall walls of the room. It can be a difficult space to hang pictures or paint because of it's height and narrow space. The mock up reads gray, but I was actually thinking the planked entry walls should be white, all white with a stained wood front door, steps, and baskets in the small shelving between the cabinets. Something about a light fixture with interesting dark lines with just the white planking behind it, appealed to me as a simple, yet interesting look. Planking the ceiling is something I'm more on the fence about than the entry walls because it may make the ceilings feel lower. In pictures of rooms with planked white ceilings, I didn't like how they looked when put with medium or dark wall paint colors, they looked great with white or very light walls but seemed to have too high a contrast (at least for me) when put with darker wall colors.I'm not sure I'd want all my walls a light or white color. Still considering all of this though...LOL. The lighting, curtains, and other decorative items were just put in there to "fill" the room as I was putting it together. I think I went with curtains with some white in it to pull the white from the entry into the living area on the window wall because the window frame is stained wood and I thought it might be nice to keep them stained wood instead of painting the window trim white. However if I do a white planked fireplace on the opposite wall that will bring the white in to the living room anyway. Cindyloo, thanks, I agree storage is storage, and I could really use the storage. The new front door is great, I love it and wouldn't mind if it shows, once I get it refinished. Curious on your thoughts on making the space look different with paint, you mean like stencils/faux painting techniques or different wall colors? With such an open space, I'm not sure how I could create "breaks" for different paint colors between the living room/dining room/hallway/entryway and have it look natural.