It would be nice to see photos, but since you want a fireplace my guess would be that down the road you may go ahead and build one there. For now could you make it look as though one was there and just use candles where the fire would be?

Can't you just rip out that whole angled area to get back to the rectangular shaped room?

Here's the living room from one angle (with the woodstove still in place).

And here's what it looks like currently from the other direction (that's our new hardwood flooring for upstairs stacked in the living room). We're removing the ligh fixture that is currently in there and putting in new semi-flush fixtures (matching) in both rooms.

Please excuse the paint color--we're going to be moving away from the orange and lime green to something a little more neutral. Here's one idea we currently have for color (please excuse the awful MS Paint rendering--I don't have photoshop on this computer).

threegrad, taking out the chimney is a relatively expensive operation. It may be the direction we end up going eventually, but for now it's not a top priority (especially since we're spending a fair amount straight off the bat having all the incorrectly wired electrical done right and redoing the badly damaged hardwoods upstairs).

justgotabme, since there isn't currently a fireplace there (just the woodstove), I don't know that we'd be able to create a fireplace space, useable or not. The chimney is positioned so that one corner of it is against the angled wall (if that makes sense).

You can probably do a no clearance gas fired fireplace - no wood burning.

I'm about ready to head to bed for the night, but I'll leave this window open in hopes I remember to come back so I can maybe do a paint rendition of an idea for you. If you truly want at least the look of a fireplace it can be done by building a base with plywood and finishing it with premade trim. You'd have to finish the inside with tile if you wanted to burn the candles. You can buy many different styles of candle holders made to fit in fireplaces or you could place a variety of sizes of candles on various holders or just about anyway you thought fit your style.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

Wouldn't that require removing the chimney so that we can recess into that space? I'll check back tomorrow and see what you come up with. :)

Here's another thought. . .

Wall mount gel fireplace that can hang anywhere and can be used as a candle holder in the summer and fireplace in the colder months. Gel fuel gives you the crackle and pop sound plus the flame of a wood burning fireplace.

Overstock has some good prices on the gel wall mount fireplaces and the regular gel fireplaces with mantels.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wall Mount Gel Fuel Fireplaces

Even an nice electric fireplace would work. Just plug it in and they have them with remotes so you don't even have to get out of your chair.

I'm with threedgard on the zero-clearance gas-fired fireplace. They're super efficient and manufacturers have come a long way on making the logs look very real. The flame of course is real in a gas fireplace vs the electric light flicker. You can get remote controls for gas, too.

How about creating an entertainment center in that corner with OR without a TV or a nice bookcase/shelf unit there?

P.S. Be sure that the chimmney has a good animal/bird "cage" on top -- to keep out any unwanted guests! LOL!

I'm also with threedgard on the zero-clearance gas fireplace. my inlaws have one and it's awesome. Really throws heat.

I think zero clearance gas fireplaces are ventless, in which case you might want to check your state and city laws and regulations.

The ventless gas fireplaces are outlawed in a couple of states due to the danger of carbon monoxide exposure and oxygen depletion. Some cities also have special regulations on how they are installed and may require an external duct system.

I think it is a perfect place for an entertainment center with your TV put there....unless you want an electric fireplace.

Don't know if one if in your plans, but it is the perfect spot for an upright piano.

Sorry if someone already asked this, but can the chimney be made larger, to code? Looks like you wanted the stove there.

I'm with oceanna. Is the chimney too narrow inside the chute? What did the previous owners do? Surely they used it.

I'd call another FP expert and get their suggestions. I wouldn't do the mantel and no FP though, because it sounds like you really want the real deal, whether it be electric, gas, or wood burning stove/FP. You'll just look at the mantel with no fire under it and cry. lol.

But I'd definitely do more research and see if you can eventually use the chimney. If it's cold where you are in the winter, there is nothing like a good fire. Even in a wood burning stove!

I hear pellet stoves are good.

Now that I think about it, I think a good Mason who works on chimneys can build you a new one. All they'd have to do is re-reroute the pipe from the stove to an outside wall, and build a chimney there, and tear off the top part of the old chimney where it doesn't show.

Good Masons are brilliant!