additional consideration, if I ever have a fireplace in my bedroom, I will make sure that the fire is raised higher, so when the fireplace is on, I can see it while in bed. That means also that TV should not be above the fireplace, as it would be too high (the TV). If she wants the fireplace on the regular, low level, then what is the purpose, to heat the room?

Good point - about raising the level of the hearth. (And I dislike TVs above fireplaces also.) The purpose is purely decor and atmosphere. Our climate it too warm here to need a fireplace for heat.

Have you considered a corner fireplace wall? I know you said that she is concerned about floorspace, but corners are so seldom useful. She could have the rock ABOVE the fireplace instead of a whole wall. That would also free up a regular wall for the tv.

I have to agree though with you. It is hard to visualize her look with a rock wall and that fireplace. It is more polished and formal than a rock wall suggests. Can you steer her to a better fireplace?

I agree that surround doesn't seem as though it would look right with stone, maybe granite, tile or marble would work better.

We DIY'd a corner vented gas FP in our MA this year. We raised it 12" off the floor so we could see the flames from bed. I wish we had room for a hearth. I'm going to change the color of the surround because the white doesn't really work in that room now that we have the furniture in place. (that's on another post)

Thanks for the feedback -- And glad to know that it's not just a lack of vision on my part.

She wants lots of stone and some wood. What I'm thinking is a site-built cultured stone fireplace with a wooden mantle and wooden built-ins on either side. Something along these lines:

Hi Sweeby.

You're absolutely right: the style & material of this fireplace don't go with a stone wall, even if that wall is only a thin veneer of fake stone. On the other hand, since the fireplace is also clearly fake--real fireplaces don't sit on wooden pedestals, and most fake fireplaces are way too small, anyway--it may all go together just fine & look lovely, at least in your client's mind, which is all that counts.

Now, I'm totally with you on the idea that a good room is more than the sum of its individual parts, and what really counts is the overall look of thee room, but she's hiring you to create the look she wants, not what you know to be appropriate. After all, if she were really interested in the aesthetics, or the issue of suitability, she'd take a History of Design class. But she isn't, so she isn't. She just wants you to make her dream a reality. If your relation to her is a little unclear, put the relationship in the realm of food, not design: you're a waiter, not the chef. She's calling the shots.

One time an architectural instructor--a Functionalist, clearly--noticed some unnecessary ornament in a student's designs for a hypothetical client. He pointed out the offending curves & asked "And exactly what is the function of this?" to which the student replied "well, the function of that is to please the client." That's kind of where you are.

Marshall Field, the founder of what was the most beautiful department store in America was a huge success because he catered to the whims of his lady customers, no matter how silly they might have been. One time he caught one of his employees trying to explain logically to a custoimer why he felt that what she had asked for was not the best choice for her. Field jusyt sailed past & said "Give the lady what she wants." Anyway, that's you & your friend.

This is why I never work for my pals. They're great people, but let's just say that my taste & their taste are not in agreement, and while it's great when clents become friends, when friends become clients, it's asking for trouble.

That's why I always tell my pals no, I can't help them. Actually, I don't put it like that. I just explain my fee structure, and then they tell me to forget it. Works every time.

Regards,
MAGNAVERDE.

Thanks for the sage advice Magnaverde.
And you're right on all counts.

I've forwarded a couple of photos (similar to above) to my friend to see what she thinks, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that she likes them.

That second fireplace is SO much better than what your friend picked out. It dawned on me that a stained wood ceiling with that fireplace would be stunning. It would also let her get in her "lots of wood" without having to resort to entertainment centerish built-ins flanking the fp.