I love this look and I love the way you're thinking. None of these are exactly what you're planning, but you can see how the fireplace set into a black wall looks very atmospheric. I think you can do this with confidence.

I know this may be well beyond the style of what you're looking for - but this fireplace just astounds me every time I see the photo. I believe the doors are on tracks so it can be opened and closed as needed. The designer has some other amazing modern fireplaces on their photo page too.

Did you mean black on the wall behind the fireplace or black fireplace face?

Black wall... No face like the pic.. Thx so much for everyone's input and photos!!

Oh I guess black face like the pic, sorry! :)

My taste is traditional/transitional and yet I really like the pics of these fireplaces...I think they are very sleek and sophisticated.

We just built a house and struggled with what to do as well. Didn't like the cheesy old style builder fireplace with the grills. Loved a similar fireplace to your pic but significantly more $$$! We went with the upgraded builder's fireplace which eliminated the grills and instead had a bigger glass window. This was only a couple hundred dollars instead of over a thousand in upgrade dollars. It had a coordinating frame if you like the look of that trim piece all around available as well. Check out Napoleon fireplaces BGD36CF (clear face)

Pick the fireplace you love. You can do a lot with paint.

Pick the fireplace you love. You can do a lot with paint.

Here's a pick of it. We went with the stacked stone but put it higher off the ground.