These are just lovely. I am thinking I may have screwed up with my fireplace. I didnt want it. The best wall for it would obstruct the view out back. I wanted my view... gosh darn it. So, I tried to compromise, since I have everything else that I wanted, so I said, okay, but I want as LLAAAAARGE of windows as I can get on each side. So that is what I got - Big Windows, Small Fireplace. Now, the fireplace is gorgeous and cozy. And I still have my windows for a view on a snowy day, watching the fire and the birds feeding..... but I wont have much room for stone on the side. Which might work out, that is yet to be seen. I went ahead and lowered the ceiling from 2 story back down to 9 ft in order to get another room above, so maybe it will look okay since it is a shorter ceiling? (deep sigh) I hope so. Maybe I should be thinking tile instead of stone, but we already have the stone leftover from the exterior, and maybe it shouldnt go all the way up, just mantle height... (another deep sigh) Might have to start a new thread here before too long.

Hi all, After spending 20 minutes waiting around the local fireplace store with my two ansy toddlers in tow and getting absolutely no help or even a "i'll be right with you" (while one salesclerk flirted with some guy, another stood around, and another was on the phone), I decided I should save myself future frustration and take my business elsewhere to buy my direct vent gas fireplaces. But this being the ONLY fireplace store in our town, i don't have another option to go elsewhere, except online or do a one hour trek to the next closest store. My GC will do all the installations, I just need to order the fireplaces. Can you recommend a good online store to purchase from? I need to buy 3 fireplaces, so i don't want to make a costly mistake! please advise!

Definitely a corner FP. Most houseplans have them in the middle of a wall and it will restrict you in furniture and TV placement. Unless it's a short wall with built-in's on either side. A corner FP will free up all the walls for furniture, TV and windows. I love our FP in the corner. We have a TV on one wall along with a window, and the other wall has plenty of wall space along with two large windows. This way we can enjoy the view (we're in the country), TV and FP at the same time.

A good contractor/remodeler should be able to design & build a mantle for you. My husband (a contractor) does these jobs all the time. Thing is, a lot of GOOD contractors (except my hubby of course) rejects these small jobs. I DO think you need a beefier mantle for sure. And, on a design note, I would paint the backs of the bookshelves & perhaps add doors to the bottoms (that contractor/remodeler would be able to match the bookcase wood perfectly) You may also look at people listed under "cabinet makers" or "woodworkers". ~Jeana