Sorry this took so long but I do have the pictures now. As I had said, we have done a stone fireplace with cabinetry on both sides. On the right will be our 40" flat screen with a shelf that will slide out and the doors can be closed or open, but they will slide back so they won't be in the way. This is just the boxes at this time. There will be white trim, mantel and the finished cabinets with bookcase on both sides. Now the problem, I don't know how to post on this site. I have shutterfly so I can put the pictures there. If anyone wants to tell me how to post on here and I can understand it GREAT, otherwise if you want to send me your email address I can send pictures. Let me know, Susan

I very much like Beverly's 2nd photo of the mantle that extends perhaps 6 feet on either side of the FP opening, with shelving below on each side. It's dramatic and lovely. Back to landrstein's question about the 5.5' and 12'height dimensions that I suggested might be possibilities for the double mantles I was envisioning, those dimensions were for how far above the floor they would be, not how wide they would be. It would be good if you could get a designer to draw to scale what you want it to look like. It's important that you and the contractor are on the same page, and drawings will help you get there.

I dig the banners Groveraxle posted, they're 8ft high! That's a statement worth making. I advise against hanging most art, like your own examples, so far above eye level. Just ignore the wall above and concentrate on finding items that are a nice proportion to the length of the wall/area. We humans tend to concentrate on what's in our line of sight. Too high or low, eh. For the most part, art should hang at a level that's easy to appreciate the work. The center is usually about 60" from the floor. Otherwise, it's hung in close relationship to piece of furniture, at a comfortable view level. So go lower when viewing it from a seated position. Beth showed examples of maximizing the horizontal plane. That's what I would recommend, as well.

First off pay no attention to the people that are trying to scare you about gas and wood fp. With professional qualified installers its a non issue. Sounds like you don’t dig it, but most people do. I have performed fireplace remodeling & retrofits for 20yrs. Ditch the green slab. Perhaps minimal tile work with an interesting install pattern. No mantle A gas insert would be nice and running the gas line should not be an actual issue. My experience is that many installers are not about doing what the customer wants as much as doing what is easier for them. It happens way more than it should and I have to call bs every time one tries to pull that on me. A roto hammer with a long bit should get you where you want to be. Budget, practicality and design are the typical qualifying questions, that I have not heard you mention answers to. Small format tumbled white travertine on a diagonal grid and light color grout