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

I've got the same situation with a house I'm buying. The current owner has installed an insert, and uses it for heating all during the winter. I will be taking it out and re-installing the original decorative face, since like you I'm not real comfortable with open flame inside the home. Xanndra is correct about no maintenance, but only as it concerns soot and creosote build-up. You still need to maintain the seal/flashing area around the outside of the chimney (to prevent leaks), and you should keep an eye on the condition of the exterior mortar joints, so that water doesn't seep in, freeze, and cause the brickwork to deteriorate. Paula

I'd embrace it too, since too many temporary solutions would read as an afterthought-as a renter you can't change much, and the space is tight there. I'm not sure getting the exact screens that's work in the space will be worth money and effort. Depends on screens of course, but the reason I don't have them in my place for example is because I can't afford the ones that'd make my effort worthwhile. It's a nice room, interesting fireplace, and I can relate to your landlords being proud..and to you being a bit frustrated by it too. I'd fill the shelves with things I love, and I'd start with plants and books. If you put there decor for decor purpose-you undescore the decorative element of the shelves themselves that you don't love. You bring attention to the shape you dislike, etc If you fill it fully wih books so the elaborate shape can't be easily seen anymore, as previous posters suggested-here you go, you have books as the element jumping at you, the shelves become just a surface (can books be there? in terms of fire hazard etc? I know I do keep some on mine..) add smaller plants maybe add a bigger one too in front of one of the winged shelf..so it's partially cover it but not enough to totally obscure or interfere with using it it's not a monstrosity. there are many monstrosities of fireplaces out there, this is not one of them. Pretty tame, and the proportions are good. It's not your taste. It's too fussy maybe when you prefer simple. So make it simple. Treat it like a surface that's not fussy. I think you'll be able to enjoy it much more that way.

Your fireplace needs to look more like a fireplace. Add a big chunky wood mantle just above the horizontal "stripe" of brick. A mantle will tie the wide expanse of brick together. Hang a bigger tv because it is such a wide space. Fill the wood nook with firewood even though you won't burn it. It will give that nook a purpose. Fill the basket with kindling wood and put it beside the firebox. Get some great black fireplace tools and put beside basket of kindling. Add decor to your mantle but make sure it's BIG. Small scale decor will just look like clutter. I'm thinking maybe a pair of BIG lanterns with candles on either side of the tv. Don't worry about the tv being too high. I've had my tv over my fireplace for years and I don't have neck problems.