To be honest, I'm only putting in the fireplace because it would look stupid without one, as EVERY new home in my area has one. (Most people try to convince me I need one in the office/den and master as well, which I am refusing to do). We will likely seldom use it, though maybe with a gas one I may switch it on some evenings for a bit. We live in California, though we are both transplants here, so we seldom find it cool enough to warrant needing it. Ideally I'd like the fireplace and TV on different walls altogether, but I can't do that without giving up windows, and that isn't an option! Currently our TV is over our fireplace and it doesn't bother me as our mantel is relatively low, and with those new landscape fireplaces it could be lower. For instance, in the second image the TV isn't too high, and I think the fireplace could even be dropped another few inches. I do think I solved my own issue as with the curtains it wouldn't be safe (or look good) to have a corner fireplace. So TV over the fireplace it is :) Also, now that I stare at all these photos some more I realize I like the clean look of not having a table beneath the TV, and if there wasn't a fireplace it looks silly to not have anything under the TV. So the decision is complete! Thanks for your advice, and helping me talk myself into a decision! :)

A vast improvement, although I'm not sure about the hex tiles for this application. Maybe I'm just not used to seeing them on a fireplace surround, although I adore them for floors!

If you are willing to tile the pan, Kerdi sells pre-sloped shower pans that can be cut down around the edges so that the drain lines up with your existing drain. If you also installe Kerdi board on the walls and properly tape and seal it, it will be waterproof and you can use whatever type of wall covering you like. If you are on a tight budget, Kerdi is not cheap, but its not outrageous and it works very well. Another consideration is whether you have some flexibility in relocating the shower drain. Many drains in cement floors are installed with about a 5"x5" opening around the drain pipe so you can adjust the the final drain position to resolve minor alignment problems with the pan. However, if you already have a hole in the cement I have also found it relatively easy to chip out more cement and move the drain pipe. YMMV. Bruce

Looking for ideas on how to update this corner fireplace I’d like to use a barn beam as the mantle as you can tell on the left there’s a pallet wall with the tv mounted on it and I will end up with a second focal point