Any window above a fireplace screams 'fake fireplace' to me.

Where the stone goes is dependent upon what statement you want your interior to say.

Thank you! Helpful!

If your windows are framed white, as in the picture above; I wouldn't do stone at all. I would choose a more transitional, white mantle and surround (like the one you covered up in your pic.) IMO that, plus some beautiful art over the mantle, will work better with the rest of the room.

Thank you! The windows will have a white frame as shown. The standard fireplace has a white and no raised hearth. I adore a raised hearth! Only comes with the stone option. Helpful to read. TY!

Here is the real house. Can see how it is framed now. Stone was to stop at bottom window tops.

Hmm, I think it will look odd with stone up to the window. Maybe you could install stone on the raised hearth and then a thin surround of stone or tile around the fire box and trim out the rest with wood. Chocolatesnap has a good idea about art above the fireplace.

BTW - The view out those upper windows looks very pretty!

I know you don't have a lot of flexibility with your builder; but I saw this, and wondered whether it would work for that space? Picture doing the raised hearth and fireplace surround in stone, and then trimming it in white wood--all painted to match the window trim? Whatever you decide, I think the room will be beautiful!

I really like this but doubt they will work with me since it is a mass builder. My husband didn't like the white surround idea with a raided fireplace hearth. I liked it! EitheEither way will need to be a custom later. The ddown side of a mass builder (not sure of term)

Thank you and thank you for the compliment

Really like this look!

THANK YOU!! I think I REALLY like the white frame idea around the stone. So does my husband. Only part I am not 100% sure about is the side pillars will need to go to the floor since the frame (white wooden mantel and sides) will need to be added after we move in. I will have my husband ask the builder, but I am sure they wont let my husband "tinker" with the fireplace frame before the stonework goes in. I found a photo that may resemble what it may look like with the pillars to the floor on the sides. ALL other photos show the pillars stopping at the hearth as shown in this pic. This isn't the correct look but close enough for the imagination.

The fireplace is 5 feet wide. My husband is handy- this is just a backwards way.. Frame should be first, then the stone.

Good news is I will have my raised hearth. I like the look. Hope we can pull it off going in a backwards direction (stone first, frame after). IDK. Will show the pics to the builder and see how he can work with us. Needs to be "finished" because of code. So "finished" will probably need to look like the next pic (minus the mantle).

No mantel though

You could build it up to a little soffit above the lower windows than use that as the top of the fireplace and a place to hang hidden rods.

Something like this?

Pearl · More Info

Updated

We’ve moved in and went with the option to stop below the window vs whole way to ceiling. Couldn’t be happier. Love the extra window and love the light we get from it. Our old house was so dark. This is much better. No regrets. I liked many options suggested, but wanted a raised hearth.

This is just for visual reference for anybody who may be having the same decision.