I too have a Mendota so I know about the restrictions and it does get warm above the fireplace itself. I just laid a marble hearth but I am still uncertain as to what I am doing with the surround. I do have a somewhat tradional flammable wooden mantel with a 6' piece left to right (hope that makes sense)with two legs approximently 4' high. Whatever the exact measurements are, it falls within the acceptable guidelines. This of course, leads me to a decision as to what I want to put for the surround - as you said the area from the fireplace and mantel must be covered with a nonflammable material. I have yet to make up my mind but some of the things I have considered are 1)marble like the hearth - boring!, 2)a glass mosaic or possibly a stone mosaic i.e. onyx or soapstone that would compliment and not compete with the marble hearth. But that's just my personal preference and it may not apply to what you are trying to accomplish. The best advise I can give you is to google fireplace surround images and you will get thousand and thousands of images to consider. Good luck. Lynn fr CT

You can do it either way. You could install the wood first and all the marble after. Or you can do the whole thing and put the wood over the marble. The second method will be more expensive snce you will need more marble. On the other hand, the installation of the marble will be easier since you won't have to cut around the wood. Either way you can install the wood surround and mantel using the correct construction adhesive (see label on product) or attach it with screws (or even use both). My preference is to use at least some screws. If you use screws, get some lead anchors and drill into the brick/marble with a masonry bit sized to match the lead anchors. The screws then go into the lead anchors and will hold fast. Also, make sure that the clearance from the wood to the fireplace opening meets the minimums prescribed by your local building code!

My First suggestion would be NO mirrors below the mantle..that will not be a good addition for this space...such a beautiful space you have with the vaulted ceilings. If possible I would continue the brick on both sides so the fireplace continues all the way it will give it some heft and balance out the room with the vaulted ceiling and beams...if this brick can not be matched I would add brick and paint out all the brick to match....add a big colorful piece of wall..since you have acess to electrical on that wall I would bring it up to both sides above mantle and install wall sconces.

I agree with bumblebeez, that you may as well leave the wallpaper until you're ready for a proper redo. if you like how the wallpaper looks for now, then that's what matters! I agree with others who say you should keep the fireplace since it's nice to have and it makes a nice divider for a large room. when you are ready to redo the tile, keep it simple-- so, no to patterned tile, stenciling, etc. you already have lots of patterns in your room when it comes to rugs, upholstrey, etc. if you keep the fireplace simple, it gives more flexibility to choose different room accessories if and when you want to change things up. so my suggestion: a white brick veneer for the vertical surfaces, and some kind of dark tile for the flooring around it. you could have a little fun with the floor tile shapes. choose smaller tiles since it's a smaller area.