I also found this houzz picture...

Cherry Hills · More Info

I think one issue is that the fireplace will either match the crown width or the inlay on the floor but not both. I don't know what your house looks like overall, but I think cast stone could be okay if the style is not too palatial.

Cast stone can be pricey, but it can look nice. But I have the feeling...though I may be wrong...that you're struggling with this so much because you don't want to change the crown molding, when regardless of your final choice, most likely the crown will need fixing anyway. Think about how prominent you want the fp to be in the room. Any overmantel will make it more prominent.

Here's an example where Candice Olson used a cast stone fireplace.

Thanks kippy, yes my mom is going to make cushions.

Pal I guess you're right about the floor but the old fireplace covered the floor corner between the hearth and the wall. So it is unfinished wood. So it would be less work to cover it back up again and I think if I stained/varnished it that it would never look completely right anyway. What do you think of the style I posted? My house is a typical McMansion neo eclectic so it doesn't have a lot of style direction one way or another.

Annie everyone I've spoken to about the crown thinks that I would for sure have to do the whole wall over and possibly the whole room if I mess w the crown. And I'm not thrilled with the look right now anyway. Though taking out the rough hewn beams and lion heads lightened things up, the whole space feels so so heavy to me.

An odd thought for you, if you used one of the fireplace surrounds you like, could you match the existing crown depth to make a box to move the wall/ceiling lights above the fireplace and use to light artwork or that ever you plan on for over the mantle?

You have many options with your application.

YOu could cover the existing wall with sheetrock and then place the cast stone fireplace on top as we did in this example.

Mandalay Cast Stone Fireplace Mantel · More Info

Check out this unique application: A wall was built out of cast stone and then the fireplace design was placed on top of the wall.

George Nukho Project DURING · More Info

George Nukho Project AFTER · More Info

Your goals for your focal point can be achieved.

Check out our website for some ideas that may be helpful with your fireplace.

www.oldworldstoneworks.

And let me know if you have any questions.

Mike