To be honest, I'm only putting in the fireplace because it would look stupid without one, as EVERY new home in my area has one. (Most people try to convince me I need one in the office/den and master as well, which I am refusing to do). We will likely seldom use it, though maybe with a gas one I may switch it on some evenings for a bit. We live in California, though we are both transplants here, so we seldom find it cool enough to warrant needing it. Ideally I'd like the fireplace and TV on different walls altogether, but I can't do that without giving up windows, and that isn't an option! Currently our TV is over our fireplace and it doesn't bother me as our mantel is relatively low, and with those new landscape fireplaces it could be lower. For instance, in the second image the TV isn't too high, and I think the fireplace could even be dropped another few inches. I do think I solved my own issue as with the curtains it wouldn't be safe (or look good) to have a corner fireplace. So TV over the fireplace it is :) Also, now that I stare at all these photos some more I realize I like the clean look of not having a table beneath the TV, and if there wasn't a fireplace it looks silly to not have anything under the TV. So the decision is complete! Thanks for your advice, and helping me talk myself into a decision! :)

Not tonnes more traditional, but Montigo offers some really interesting peninsula, 2 sided, and see through units. Not too much fun to work on, but a decent looking unit.

The only vent free that would not have a bad effect on indoor air quality is electric. Otherwise, stay away from ventfree. The Consumer Reports website used to have a detailed explanation of why vent free is bad. Some building codes consider it a violation, especially in a sleeping room because of the safety hazard. If you want real heat, and not just looks, consider a gas fired direct vent system. But they are costly. Also, the Obama administration is offering up to $8 thousand tax credit if you buy a fireplace that complies with certain energy specifications. I'm not sure of all the details, but they use either wood or "biomass" and are energy efficient and pollute very little. A tax credit is much better than a tax deduction, because it's subtracted from your actual final tax bill. So If you owe the IRS $20K, and you have a $8K credit, your net tax bill is $12K. I imagine that fireplace dealers are aggressively promoting the units that qualify for the tax credit. They are worth looking into. Just make sure they don't jack up the prices and give you a smaller benefit from the credit.

One supplier has shown us a fireplace from Heat N Glo and another from Montigo. I was looking at the cosmo Heat N Glo that has a frame that slightly juts out from the wall, but the glass is extremely clear and beautiful. Any suggestions??