Can we see photos of what you are talking about?

We have a white painted mantel with a slate surround. After looking at it for two years, I really would like to change it, as all I see is a big black box surrounded by white. Not inspiring. On the other hand, one of our neighbors has a stone fireplace which I love. I found this picture in her construction photos to give you an idea. I don't think this looks dated. Rather, warm and inviting.

We had a stone fireplace. we refaced it with white marble. looks beautiful, modern and clean. granite and marble are easy to keep clean than stones.

Have the builder put in the least objectionable tile you can stand and then take your time to find just the look you love. It'll probably be less expensive in the long run to have the trades do it for you at that time, too.

I would worry far more about white and black looking dated (and limiting your decor options) than about stone doing so. But a really important consideration is your style. Do you favor contemporary or traditional, rustic or urban sleek? What is the style of the home?

I prefer traditional with some modern touches. The house is new but will have laminate floors and granite countertops. Built in bookcases will flank the fireplace... The fireplace will be in the great room and is visible from the kitchen and right next to the dining room so it will be the focal point of all three rooms.

The only marble option is a tan.... my one concern with that is I will most likely be decorating in grays and blues and some greens.... I strongly dislike tan and gray together and yellow/gray.

Hmmm, you don't like the slate? One of my neighbors did slate and I think it looks lovely with the heavy white painted woodwork on her mantle & over mantle. I did marble and absolutely love it, but agree with you about the tan marble. Mine is Carrara, so grey/white. I think the stone would look ok, as long as your style isn't too sleek & modern...it sounds like it would just be the surround and not a wall of rock like the pic. That skews rustic to me. I wouldn't do the tile...even with the very large tiles you have grout, etc.

I think that a stone fireplace is more pleasing to look at, and has better resale value. I would also consider a vented gas insert at this time. It's expensive, but most buyers love them, and it's convenient for a little heat to knock the chill off of the area.

Will they let you buy your own ceramic tile for the "standard" package? If so, you could choose something you like, and the tile shouldn't cost much, since it is a small area.

Stone fireplaces have been in existence for eons. That's a gorgeous look that will never be dated.

I like the stone, too. Particularly like the stacked stone fireplace surrounds. I was surprised when, given multiple choices, I decided to go with stacked stone for the fireplace surround in our new build. I currently have a lovely brick fireplace and, while I still think it's lovely, I'm tired of the look and wanted something different. I thought I wanted clean, modern look with just a white mantel and either tile or granite surround; but when the time came, I chose the stacked stone. I was shocked that I was so drawn to the stacked stone surround.

I did some mock-ups with various materials and consistently felt more drawn to the stacked stones.

My advice would be to go with your instincts. Any of your choices could work, but what is calling to you? See if you can find some pictures online and be very aware of your reactions. Be sure to consider the fireplace in the context of your home, specifically the wall where you have the fireplace and built-in shelves. Think about how the fireplace surround will look with those bookshelves, as well as with the rest of the house.

The bookshelves will be white paint as will the mantle if I get one. The basic one is pretty plain, so I would opt for an upgrade with more details. I have a brown granite fireplace in my current house with a white painted mantle and I think I just wanted something different. I'm also worried about the granite/slate in the fireplace "fighting" with the granite in the countertops of the kitchen. I am leaning towards stone, because it would be stacked stone with a simple white shelf. I'm a modern decorator mixed with traditional if that makes sense.

The very last thing that I would do is to pick something cheap now with the idea of replacing it later. I would never get to do that in my house. Changing out something like a fireplace, takes time, effort, and $. Do what you want now, so you won't regret it later, when you won't be able to chg it.

K Sissy -- But, if the builder has such limited choices, she'll probably want to change it out in the future anyway. That's why I suggested she pick cheap and then find what she really wants rather than be pigeon holed into something she only half-likes now.

The builder would probably give her a credit, and she could maybe find something that she liked elsewhere, and have an outside person to do it. I would check into that before I made the decision.

That would be a good option if she can make a fairly quick decision.

Builder will not give credit and I must choose something. There are about 5 ceramic tiles to choose from, they are all brown and beiges....

Then I would carry some stone or material from the kitchen into the space for the fireplace, esp if it is adjoining.

Definitely the stone option, you can't beat it for a warm and textured look.

If you prefer the wooden mantel, you are talking about a minimal amount of tile for the fireplace surround -- probably less than 10 square feet. There are plenty of decent tiles around for $5 a square foot -- so $50 or so total. Even if you go with a more costly tile or stone, it is really a minor expense to get yourself something you love. Ask the builder to tell you the exact amount you need and any specifications (especially thickness), then visit to HD or Lowe's or a local tile shop.

I don't think they allow it but it doesn't hurt to ask!

It's sounds like your builder is being totally uncooperative. I would probably have to let him know what I think about this, and see how long he sticks with this decision. Most builders want happy customers not mad, unhappy customers...who will tell their friends and others about their experience with him.

Our builder is a large trac builder and our state lending laws require all flooring, etc to be in place prior to closing. We can certainly tear out whatever we want after closing but they must lay a minimum of tile, carpet, etc.

Is there a hearth? Will that be whatever you choose for the surround?

Yes there is a raised hearth, stone brick, or wood with the matching tile.

I've had stone in 3 of 5 houses and never tired of it. Have never had ceramic tile, but my daughter as well as my son have it in their homes and have talked of refacing it with stone. They feel it looks cheap in their otherwise beautiful homes, both tract homes in Tx.

To me stacked stone fireplaces look quite modern and seem very versatile in terms of decorating around them. I have had custom-made elegant wood fireplace surrounds with marble tiles, one white painted wood with white marble streaked with gray lines and the other stained wood in a honey color with beige-veined marble and they looked wonderful with Axminster carpets and English-style decor. If that's too traditional for you a stacked stone fireplace seems like the perfect answer. Just picture in your mind's eye what draws you in and go with that. I can't quite picture a stacked stone fireplace for me because the antique Chinese porcelain I collect calls for something a little more formal. Ours is made of bricks which are painted over with a cream color and that's right for me, not too formal and not too informal. We didn't have a choice, it was already there, but it was painted two-tone in beige and brown and that had to be changed immediately.

My style is sort of transitional except that I love to use colors. I like simple furnishings so stone might be best.