Proccess of "updating " 100 years old fireplace with 500 years old limestone mantel

acm and Beverly, lovely work. How did you manipulate the room? So helpful. I LOVE the feel of the three examples that are mid century. All of the floors are a light in color and not as dark as mine. The current floors make a click clack sound when you walk on them. I would like to change them. Should I try to closely match the current brick color or could I go with a lighter brown/grey color like these. I brought home some coretec floor samples and the calypso oak looks a lot like the middle photo.

I think the fireplace itself is quite attractive. What needs replacing is the fireplace door, which does not go with the room at all and fights against the design of the fireplace. The fireplace opening is such a focal point, it needs something special like what you see below. Shown above: Custom Fireplace Door with Half Oval casting trim in an Antique Silver finish. Shown above: Custom Fireplace Frame Screen with Half Oval Casting Trim. These screens and doors are hand crafted from solid brass and finished to perfection like fine jewelry. There are many unique finishes and trim materials that can be used to craft a wide variety of fireplace screens and doors that will transform the look of any fireplace. Try the Free Fireplace Door Design Service Provided by: Hansen Wholesale

When you say gas insert, to you mean a metal box you insert into the fireplace, or some type of gas logs or gas burning fire. Inserts are necessarily going to decorate the fireplace, rather they are made for efficiency. Gas logs and other gas burning effects can be more decorative, but less efficient. So it might be helpful to clarify which you are planning on installing...and if you have already chosen the gas appliance, it might help to post pictures of it since it will make a big difference in how the overall treatment needs to be done. Here's some examples of a gas insert, gas logs and gas burning fire. Example of gas insert. Notice all the black metal that is necessary to close off the fireplace. This is not a decorative solution, but more for efficiency. This is an example of a gas log with a screen and andirons. This will better preserve the look of the fireplace and provide more decorative appeal, but less heat. Gas burning twigs and black reflective glass. This is a very unique gas burning effect. Not considered an insert, but a gas fire.