thank you all great questions the fireplace-was wood burning the previous owners converted it to gas..so it's a gas insert we changed the insert too. plumbing was checked and all. very strict code around here, they didn't miss on anything didn't change the masonry etc I disliked the shape(cut the wall visually in half), the stone..it was a creeping elegance(c) case..we had huge gut remodel plus addition, wanted to leave it as it first(OK I didn't..DH did), then as we found out more things to fix (total lack of insulation, vapor barrier on the roof to be changed, etc etc), we already put together a-sorta-addition-to-the-main-contract that specified all the things we had to add plus the fireplace which I wanted to redo cheaply-not to mess a lot with it but rather change its shape, bring it up, and take away the stone (we had a cost plus type of a contract) what we didn't know is the code is to have non combustible material 8 inches on the sides of the opening and 12 inches on top the GC was sure he can still make it work with hardiboard, or Venetian Plaster or something since I didn't want tile, (or stone), I wanted tile only for the step. so that we ordered in advance(handmade tile) of course if I knew I had to tile I'd order enough tile, and consider how I want it, but I guess the GC wanted to please us and get away with getting this clean drywall look by means of something else. when the time came though the GC and project manager became very unsure of this hardiboard thing, and their Plaster guys told us they can't put plaster on the brick(which is under all that jazz..very uneven too)..they need to drywall first, then it's combustible and doesn't pass the inspection. so as it was already close to 1,5 years us remodeling, and everybody was kinda hurrying to pass that final inspection(we had 6 allover) the tilers took whatever tiles we had left from the kitchen(same color but totally wrong subway shape)..they were good tilers but as they tiled it became very evident the drywall that seemed more or less straight before is actually curved inwards, on one side. They tried to even it out a bit, still very visible. They also told me they're going to cut the tile a bit since my main intention of redoing the fireplace was to get rid of that central line. Then they didn't-I suspect because the indent would become even more visible? The tile ends higher than 12 inches that have to be there by code. Would look better even if they cut it exactly to 12'. The GC first told us "we'll cut it" then he said "forget it, unfortunately not cutting it". Yes we paid..not in full there was some balance left that was supposed to pay for a closet. The closet was never installed so the GC just told us to use the balance as we see fit. It was a long story..we're in Orange county, the GC and most his teams in North LA. which would be cool under normal circumstances, but the traffic is hell and construction started booming like crazy. He did finish the house (except for that closet) and we have his warranty for several years and all..yet I suspect he'll take a good few years rest from us and Orange County lol. He's an honest guy; he'll come if there'll be problems. But this is not a leak or electricity or something. It's a bad drywall job and poor design as a result. Not something urgent. It was really difficult to get trades here in the end too. So no, I won't ask him to redo it. There were many good things he did; that was not one of them. He knows I'm unhappy about it..well, we overall love the house, and I'd rather go with somebody local to remedy that work. i'm sorry I'm very aware of how I often lack clarity in my lenghty explanations now couple pics: was: is: a pic of the indent up close: it's a wrong tile(the right is 6 by 6), it stops higher than it should, and it makes this fireplace job not into what I envisioned it to be that's a focal point of the house, as such it bugs me even more the overall shape is what I wanted(for the money lol; otherwise I'd do something more elaborate); the execution is not. I'm very grateful in advance for your responses since I imagine it's hard to read through this long rambling I hope though the pics help.

We recently purchased a home with a 2 story fireplace. My husband won the argument about putting the television above the mantel. I would like to add something above the upper mantle (not yet finished). I’m thinking of putting 2 small uplights on the mantel to showcase the stone. Thoughts on that idea, and how many? They will be visible, so I need to find something that isn’t too tall.

We have a wood burning fireplace with a gas log lighter in our family room on the first floor, and a wood burning fireplace with a gas log lighter in the master bedroom on the second floor. Love them both. In answer to your question, though, I think it would depend on the type of gas fireplace that you have. Many of the newer ones are shallow enough that you could probably have one on both sides. Your best bed would be to go to a fireplace store and ask.

We have a similar dilema. Wood burning fireplace in Colorado where you can't build a new one. But we also don't have enough room for a big screen TV on the side of the fireplace because it is centered on the wall. We also have the same raise hearth you do. We ended up putting the plastic window insulating film over the fireplace (to keep drafts and bees out - both of which we got when it was an open wood burning fireplace) and putting a giant TV right in front of it. It covers the entire fire box, is just below the mantle and doesn't quite cover the entire marble surround. I can't say it is perfect asthetically but it is perfect functionally. The TV is exactly the right height and the right location in the room. Also it cost nothing. Your fireplace would be much easier to hide with a giant TV. You could also hang some shelves on either side to frame it. https://www.westelm.com/products/emmerson-reclaimed-pine-floating-shelf-h1504/?catalogId=71&sku=1867246&cm_ven=PLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Art%20%2B%20Mirrors%20%3E%20Shelves%20%2B%20Display%20Ledges&cm_ite=1867246&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnqH7BRDdARIsACTSAduEFqwVhcYA8sXQrCSWvFn83m2cxTWMqHlIRfNOKGsQvKJEtLXxdpwaAmpMEALw_wcB https://www.target.com/p/24-34-x-6-34-wood-block-wall-shelf-walnut-threshold-8482/-/A-54552032?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Home%2BDecor%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Home%2BDecor&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9028725&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1247068&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnqH7BRDdARIsACTSAdvzfa_ST-GjmSQlJo0LnepuSNs_CIOSS7nhet-6esErmJArKykI9w4aApwYEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds