It appears that your project is well underway. Electrical would most likely be next.

As yours is walkout, you can use the space much differently from a traditional basement like we have.

I'm linking our basement primarily with respect to your questions about the fireplace. Ours is more contemporary and is electric. Decided upon electric because our basement really is not cold and friends with gas are unable to operate them continually because they get too warm. And, I personally am not comfortable with an unvented gas fireplace. With electric one can enjoy the illusion of a burning fire, with or without heat. Just a thought. And, ours is installed below the furnace ducting at the lowest ceiling height. You will need to go beyond the first page of the link to see the fireplace photo.

Our main living space is traditional, that's why we went a different direction in the basement. We use it for entertaining and it's easy to clean. Hope this helps - enjoy the new space.

Here is a link that might be useful: Basement

Fmroberts, thanks for the pics of your basement -- it looks like such a great space for entertaining! Your fireplace looks great -- what is the gray surface you have on the wall? Also, love your glass door at top of stairs -- we have decided to do that as well.

We decided on the gas fireplace because we have gas heat and they can easily connect it and vent it through existing pipes. We are also looking to add some heat -- we have decided to place tv/sofa on opposite end, though since it might get a bit toasty near the gas fireplace. Yes, electrical is scheduled for Monday...

More food for thought to get you talking...

I originally envisioned something like this:

But, now I'm wondering if it would be possible to do something like either of these (smaller scale, of course).

hopmom - Understood on the reason for going with a gas insert.

The color around our fireplace has been created with sponge painting - a gray background with silver paint sponged atop. Another area (by the sofa) is gray paint and the stripes have been created with a glaze atop.

All of your inspiration photos are nice. But, they tend to lean toward "formal". Is that how your basement will be utilized? How are basements in your neighborhood finished? With the mudroom/cubbies and TV/Playroom it seems to me that you want a more casual atmosphere. For example, in our basement bookcases flanking the fireplace would easily fit there (and still could be). We just didn't want that dressed-up atmosphere for ourselves.

A walk-out can be part of the house or entirely different. The style really needs to reflect you. Some dimensions and/or a layout would be helpful.

Fnmroberts, you are right that these images are probably more formal than what we would like -- and that's an excellent point. The living space in this area (not including mud room is 31' x 14'. We will be using it as two separate spaces -- the far end away from fireplace wall will have a tv, informal couch, chair or two. The front end, we've described as a library/game room area. I'd like a small game table someday, maybe a chair by the fp -- but, for now some open space for the kids (ages 9 and 11). It will be carpeted.

My husband is really set on the idea of a wide, narrow fireplace -- like the one shown on bottom pic -- and we are thinking we probably don't want anything to go to the ceiling to emphasize the odd lines.

I'm thinking of a lower, built-in w/a mantel or shelf across (mid wall) and the fireplace and two narrow shelves or cubbies on each side. We would like some type of tile or granite around the fireplace. We will obviously not have things like crown moulding or coffered ceilings as shown in these pics due to the ceiling.

I guess, as far as style, I want it to blend into the rest of the house (a traditional colonial in an upscale town) -- we're hoping with the walkout feature in back it will look more like the rest of the house/less like a basement. It should be similar in stye to the mud room inspiration.

That said, I'd love opinions on whether the wide fireplace is possible and how to tie it in to a low built-in -- or an allternative vision for that wall.

Since your room is not symmetrical, have you thought about a corner fireplace? That might distract from the un-level ceiling.
And maybe add some cabinetry going along just one wall? If you want to use it as a game room, you will need some storage space for the games nearby, either furniture or built-ins.

We did a fireplace w/ white mantel and granite around it in our sunroom and did not go to the ceiling. Because it has more square lines, I don't think it is really especially traditional:

Another fireplace in our master we did in stucco over wood and I think it is a really cool one because it is different than anything I've seen anywhere. It's sort of a modern/traditional vibe. It is also a corner fireplace, which might work well for you as cabinbuilder suggested

Have you looked at Candice Olson's work. She has done some awesome basements.

hopmom - I'm glad Cabinbuilder chimed in as I was thinking the same thing and going to suggest using a corner for your fireplace. Do you have a good fireplace shoppe nearby? Their displays and cataolgs might provide ideas/suggestions.

Do you remember a program several years ago on HGTV named Designing for the Sexes? The dichotomy between your apparent tie to traditional and DH's want for more modern might be blended using a corner with the wide gas insert, then bookcases on the flanking walls. I'm smiling as I type 'cause we went through similar when designing/finishing our basement - entirely DIY.

A couple other thoughts. I see your furnace and equipment room. Is your contractor soundproofing there? I know there is sound absorbing drywall and insulation - or build a double wall while you can or the furnace noise will be distracting. Voice of experience here!

Your space size is quite generous. Our basement is what I term a great room concept and we used color to define different spaces. Some columns to "break" yours into two areas without a wall barrier might work for your traditional theme too. Here is how our LR/DR are defined.

{{!gwi}}

For some reason, basements simply do not draw commentary here as does other home related matters. I lived ours for five winters while completing it in phases giving opportunity to resolve difficulties and implement ideas.

Appreciate the responses, this site is always so helpful in generating ideas.

cabinbuilder -- a corner fireplace would be nice, but I don't think it will work here. The long outside wall will be taken up with two large windows and a frenchdoor to take advantage of natural light -- which doesn't leave a lot of wall space remaining. We're also trying to tap into existing gas pipes/vents which only gives us the 2 end walls. But will noodle it around... Love the idea of cabinets near the game room.

beaglesdoitbetter -- What beautiful rooms -- we have a similar fireplace to the first in our great room with a black granite surround. So hubby wants to do something quite different in the basement. LOVE the fireplace in your bedroom -- it's so unique.

caminnc -- I did also think of candice olsen -- she does a lot of beautiful basements -- I will check out her stuff

fnmroberts -- I'm going to try to get to the fireplace shop near us for some ideas -- good thought. I need to have tile for mudroom, paint and carpet choices by Monday so scrambling to try to get the full picture. Afraid if I delay the contactors at all, I may not see them again for a month. Good for you to do your basement yourself -- you do beautiful work. I will ask about sound insulation for utility area -- I hadn't thought about that.

I made the mistake of telling my husband he could do whatever he wanted in the basement -- now having a hard time keeping my word on that. We usually have different visions but can come together in the end. People complain that their husbands don't have any opinion on decorating -- mine definitely does. Luckily he has good taste!