I use a photo editing program (MS Digital Imaging Suite, which is discontinued :( I capture images from the net with ScreenPrint Platinum and then cut and paste materials into the photo. It's pretty much cut & paste, although I have taken to a lot of the other tools to work with color and blending, etc. Someone recently posted a free photo editing program ... You can either superimpose (paste) or also cut the stone out of your original picture and place the new material behind in the blank space, which might be an easy way for you to go. Usually the net images are too bright, so tone down the color a bit using the saturation and lightness/darkness features in the coloring tools. Feathering the edges with the blur tool is another good tip. I would say it seems you have enough detail with the grill and mantel, so it's hard to imagine putting pebbles in, which does seem off in style as well with the mantel. Not that we need any rules :) I do think they look very pretty together with a simple, plain surround, though. I only tried the soapstone, low contrast, which I find keeps it very simple to let the details of the mantel and grill shine. Everything shouldn't be calling for attention or it will get too busy and confusing to look at. I'm sure you know what I mean :) Such beautiful pieces!

I can't tell from the pictures how much of the black fireplace front is something that can be covered and how much is opening or vents. The windows are pretty close on either side - how much room do you have for the surround? It seems like one might overlap the windows - if the legs fit, there still is where something like where the Bordeaux flares out wider for the mantle. We did a very simple surround by facing it with remnants from our kitchen quartzite. We felt that the stone at the side had to cover at least 6" to not look too skimpy with the fireplace front. I think we ended up making it around 8".

Your sweetie's name is SWMBO ? So is mine,isn't it a small world? I'm no tile man so I check tile level as I go along with 2' leg of frameing square edge for small tile and 4' steel ruler for large tile. I set a few then lay a 1"x2"x2'or4' hardwood board on tile then push and/or hammer board. I expect you already know this but use spacers unless tile have them moulded in. I've seen pros set tile perfectly without spacers but found that watching and doing result in intirly different results for me. I rarly use additives in thin set or grout indoors. Reason being that smears/mistakes cure faster and are more difficult to clean up. If fireplace would burn wood I "might"use additive in grout to resist stain. Are you changing mantle or other features? Best of luck and I trust you will post a pic or two when it's finished. Oh,btw let us know what favors you gain with her. (:

Linelle, It basically comes down to what material they have and what you want. In my previous house I had black marble tile and loved it. When we built this house, I was going to do the same thing but my fabricators were out of the tile. They simply fabricated from a marble slab exactly as you described above-3 pieces. However, the price difference went from $ to $$$! It is more custom and I guess you could say "historical" looking, but honestly the other way gave almost the same effect to anyone casually glancing at my fireplace.