We have a "floating" front fireplace opening as we removed our raised hearth years ago when we remodelled our home. It was pretty high but when we changed the room we decided to have marble framing installed into the floor and around the fireplace opening instead. Last year we decided to get a gas fireplace insert installed and went with an Avalon. It looks great and sits fairly flush to the wall. It doesn't look out of place at all. And we really enjoyed being able to turn on the fire instantly with our new remote control. Made last year's winter easier to bear. No mess with logs or ashes any longer either!

I built a surround, mantel and overmantel using MDF, various moldings and honed travertine tiles (filled). I don't know how to post pictures, but, if you e-mail me I'd be glad to send you some. To answer your questions: You can install the travertine directly on the drywall using fortified thinset (don't buy the pre-mixed kind). Just make sure the drywall is well anchored, I drove some extra drywall screws into the studs before installing the travertine. I didn't seal my tiles, but, the honed finish is smoother than what you have. The reason to seal before grouting is that the sealant acts as a grout release and makes it easier to clean the grout from the tiles. With rough tiles I've found it helps to keep a water spray bottle handy which you can use to flush out any grout that gets in the holes before it sets. 1/8" spacing is good, however, if your tiles have rough edges you may have to go to 3/16". On the hearth you need plywood for strength and then you should put down some wonderboard or hardiboard. This is because code usually requires at least 1" of non-combustible material on the hearth (check your local code to be sure what the requirement is). You meet the requirement by calculating the thickness of your tile plus the thickness of the thinset (1/8' - 1/4") plus the thickness of the cement board. You should err on the high side. Hearths can get pretty hot, so the thicker the non-combustible layer the better (it acts like an insulator). Also remember to check your local code on the required clearances from the firebox opnening to the mantel and surround. In most jurisdictions this is 12" (for non-combustible materials). I used some corbels that are closer but I bought some made out of molded stone that are non-combustible.

I agree. Match or compliment the brick/fire box. Make this as seamless and unobtrusive as possible. That's the easiest way to prevent the eye from picking out "after thought" projects/fixes. Too bad you can't use the faux brick in this application. I would like to say "Koodos" for bring the fireplace up to code before listing. Not everyone would do that! What's the current flooring? Is that vinyl, laminate, engineered hardwood?

got it. sorry you had to go through all of that. I was just trying to give you some input on finishing up the FP so that it looks good to go w/your new black surround. Maybe you like that limewash, but all I'm saying is it should be painted a brighter white. The limewash wasn't done correctly. why not look at the lime slurry link I posted and try that? couldn't hurt. And I still stand by the mantel comment. the gray stain isn't doing you any favors. This is what it should look like, with the darker mantel stain. (your limewash was applied too heavy and it looks more like a primer. sorry, it just does) Go over it w/a good masonry white paint. If you like the look of this white hearth, then look for a white, large format tile, or leftover piece of quartz. I gave you plenty of info on hearth material in my first comment. not sure what exactly you're looking for other than larger format tiles. choose the 24x24 or 30x30, 24x48" and cut them to size. go to a stoneyard ask for some remnants that are going in the trash (they throw away smaller pieces they can't sell) See if you can have them or pay a small price for them. give them your hearth measurement and they'll prob cut it to size for you. polish the edges w/various grits of sandpaper. Lastly, get mosac tiles on sheets and set those on cement board or suitable tile substrate.