If you are considering a ventless gas fireplace you should read the many discussions about their safety on the GardenWeb Fireplace Forum and elsewhere. Because their safe use depends on proper installation (even the log arrangement) and the ability of a detector in the unit to turn it off when the CO level is dangerous, I will not specify them. Here is a quote from Consumer Reports provided by Grinder12000 on the Fireplace Forum: "An unvented gas fireplace that's safely sized needn't pose any acute health hazard. But our tests confirm that these heaters contribute significantly to indoor air pollution. If you're planning to buy a gas fireplace, a vented model should be your first choice. That's especially wise if any household member has asthma or another respiratory ailment that may be exacerbated by particulate matter, or if your home is very airtight--and so will disperse the fireplace's emissions less readily." "A vented gas fireplace needn't cost more to buy and install than an unvented model, since some units require only a fairly small vent pipe that runs horizontally to any outside wall." "If you do decide to buy an unvented gas fireplace, here's how to ensure it operates as safely as possible:" * "Observe GRI guidelines. Insist that the contractor not exceed them when sizing your fireplace." * "Limit its use. Though occasional extended use of an unvented fireplace should pose little long-term health risk, we suggest limiting operation to no more than a few hours at a stretch, as a rule." * "Provide extra ventilation. Leave at least one window open in the space where the fireplace operates." * "Buy only a certified package. Some fireplaces are sold as two separate components: a "firebox" and a "logset"--the component that contains the burners and logs. Ask the contractor to confirm, through the owners' manual or an American Gas Association label on the logset, that the two components are compatible. A dealer sold us a fireplace firebox with another brand's logset he claimed was suitable. He was wrong; the combination emitted higher levels of carbon monoxide than is desirable until we obtained a logset that was approved for that firebox." * "Use a CO alarm. That dealer error aside, the fireplaces we tested showed no propensity to generate any carbon monoxide (CO). Also, some models claim to shut off should carbon monoxide levels ever rise. However, we recommend use of a CO alarm with any combustion appliance, including an unvented fireplace." Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplace Forum

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 know you said that you aren't changing the carpet, but might you consider it? Only because, I'm assuming that is a gas fireplace, there is no need for a large tile area in front. You can go for a narrow hearth or no hearth. If you wanted to do that, unless you have a large scrap or can match it, you're stuck with the large hearth. I like the idea of doing built-ins. As they would be asymmetrical anyway due to window placement, you may just want to build in on the right to accommodate TV and components and leave the left side as is. Not that I'm suggesting this style, but just to illustrate a tv next to fireplace built in, one side only. Something like this might work for you, but without the overmantel. Note that this tile surround is very similar to your hearth tile. If you like that look, you could get more tile, perhaps and then tie it together that way. [Eclectic Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2104) by Shallotte Fireplaces COASTROAD Hearth & Patio

Hi there - I am going to say few things that will make me sound like the bad guy, but don't kill the messenger. It appears you have a standard wood-burning fireplace in a manufactured home that has had unvented gas logs added. Assuming my powers of observation are correct, there are a few things you should know. The stone wall panel is probably only held on with about four screws. If you look very carefully between the joints in the stone, you will probably find where the screws are. You can probably just unscrew the screws and take the whole thing off. You'll have a blank slate! If nothing else, you can take the panel out to the garage or yard to experiment with colors without worrying about making a smell or a mess indoors. If you wanting to paint it, I'd start with a block primer, which will help to deal with the porosity of the stone. Otherwise, it will probably be three coats of regular latex primer. A good semi-gloss latex paint is the best thing to use around a fireplace. It handles the heat better than solvent-based finishes. Don't paint the hearth, no matter how much you are tempted. If you don't like the color, replace it with another non-combustible material. Also, FYI, if you look in the installation manual for that fireplace, it was not approved for the installation of unvented gas logs (those kinda look like Temco Amercan Dream logs to me, but I could be wrong). Technically, you can keep the logs, but the damper must be clamped open, which means they won't heat the same way anymore. Running the logs without the damper open could create a hazardous situation. The heat deflector hood should not be covering the upper louvers. It will prevent air from circulating around the fireplace, which creates a potential hazard. You will not need the hood if the damper is open. Don't run the gas logs with the glass doors closed, in case anyone forgot to tell you. Hope that little bit is helpful. Happy re-decorating!