The fireplace design seems too sophisticated for tile.

Agree w/JDS. What about a "stacked ledgestone" type tile

I like the idea of tile personally (and think we share a similar aesthetic). What about something with a little more gray? I found this the other day and loved it:

Great Neighborhood Homes · More Info

This is similar color wise to your hexagon tile and I think it looks nice with all white:

Kenwood Cottage · More Info

Nice pics Dreamhouse

I like the brick sample you provided. I also love the hexagon tiles but Im afraid I may love them on because they are trendy right now and I might not still love them in 6 months. However, the washed brick is timeless. Just my opinion. Beautiful home!

A cut stone surround appears to frame a fireplace opening but the appearance of tile can suggest a hole was cut in wall tile unless it has a thin metal frame like the 125 year old Victorian example below:

@jannicone, Soapstone is growing on me. Can you apply that to cement board?

@Dreamhouse26, I like both of those! Marble subway was another one I considered (before I moved on to marble hex). I think the first pic, while lovely, is too busy for me.

If I tell you there will be two shoulder deer mounts on either side of the fireplace, does that change your opinion? (Don't even get me started..... It was one of the very few things DH wanted in this house. I'm throwing him a bone.)

I don't know about installing the soapstone - you might have to have it thinner than the normal 3 CM - but I think most surrounds get either mastic / adhesive or thin set, so it should be possible.

I like the warmth of soapstone and it's "functional" - as it is a material that absorbs and radiates heat.

And I think it actually WORKS with deer mounts! Winner!

Your home is lovely, btw.

Thanks @jannicone! It's been fun making all the selections, but I have decision fatigue at this point.....

I'm going to go with the brick. Hallelujah, a final answer! I think it will give a stone-like feel, or at the very least, some texture. And if I do a mortar wash, it will read more neutral than it already is.

Thank y'all for the input!

What sold me:

Oh, ascorsonelli, I feel you on the the deer mounts. Let me show you this picture to make you feel a bit better. I too have to deal with a deer mount (luckily just in the basement), but this made me feel better:

Rustic Family Room-Living Room · More Info

Very pretty ascorsonelli - I think you made a good choice! I didn't see it with the brick tile in the stock photo, but LOVE the white washed look.

Hey, that's not bad looking @Dreamhouse26!

I know, right! It is pretty much the only photo I have found that gives me inspiration about that dead deer head! ;)

I think the light brick will be a great choice. I wasn't loving the tile look. You couldn't find your DH a "man cave" space for his deer heads? LOL

@cpartist, no man cave for him. But a sewing room for me! Poor guy.....

I'm secretly hoping there won't be enough clearance above the cabinets for the mounts to fit. I measured the deer only halfheartedly before the cabinet guy got to work. "Woops"

^^ smooth....

Dang.

You should decorate the deer for holidays. I'm thinking a Santa hat for Christmas and decorated eggs hanging from the racks for Easter. If you're stuck with them you might as well have fun with them.

Love the idea frog! Most people decorate the mantel; I'll decorate the deer!

You can do both. Hmmm. I wonder if you can fit a red clown nose on a deer's nose a 'la Rudolph. By the time you're done with the decorations for a year your husband may regret hanging the deer mounts in the living room. Along those lines I recommend having your children name the mounts. Whatever names they come up with are bound to be ridiculous.

I think you made the right choice going with the washed brick. I initially thought the t&g boards above seemed too rustic for the marble, and then the deer heads sealed it! I think it is going to look great.

Are those spots on separate switches so they can be kept turned off all the time except when the deer are decorated for the holidays? I'm thinking right now you need your kids to make big heart necklaces and earrings for the deer.

Yes @cpartist, they're on separate switches. Good thinking. EARRINGS, fantastic!

That's a helluva nice buck! You should be proud of such a specimen ascorsonelli!

No doubt he is @Fred! I'm proud of him too ;) And honestly, they're not soooo bad. This is east Texas. We'd stick out more if we didn't have them somewhere!

Your fireplace is going to look great. I like your choice of brick. And those really are very impressive bucks (my DH is a hunter as well).

Just to join in on the fun.... Yup, hang whatever will fit on the antlers, sit leprechauns on the antlers for St Patricks day, hang flags on them for the 4th of July and put a big plastic pumpkin over the whole head for Holloween (but keep the antlers showing). And of course a white beard and red hat for Christmas. What fun!

I have a new build with a white wood, gas fireplace and I opted for a 3 piece Verdi green granite surround. It's very dark, almost looks black at times. It is very traditional though, but that is what I was looking for. I think the brick will be stunning, best choice in my opinion.

This looks awesome ascorsonelli! Did your builder make your mantel and built-ins? Gorgeous!

This will be too fun! I can't believe I never considered doing this over the past 10 years.

@zorroslw1, your surround sounds beautiful. I think if I didn't have so much navy throughout the house, I would have considered soapstone more. The black+navy combo would bother me.

Thanks @omelet and @dreamhouse26! I gave our cabinet maker a few pictures and he ran with it. One of the ones I tried mimicking was @michelle's fireplace. I can't seem to find it again on here though. Hers is stunning!

ETA, found it! http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3268628/its-august-201-how-is-your-build-progressing

I'm just going to throw in that the idea of making it look like you mounted Rudolf, as someone suggested, might scar the children. JUST SAYING.

;)

ascorsonelli - I am curious what the width of your mantle and size of your TV is? We have 205.5" to work with on the wall where we are putting a fireplace and built ins. I trying to figure out what will look most proportional. Thank you!

ETA - Also, what material did you use to get the shiplap look above where the TV is?

Dreamhouse, the mantle is roughly 6' wide (insert is 42"). Bookcases on either side are 6' also, so around 216" total. Tv is 55" and behind it, 1x6 pine tongue and groove.

Closing the loop with final pics! Brickweb thin brick in Rushmore with Pewter grout. Not what I originally imagined, but quite pleased with the results! Glad I didn't go tile. Thanks for all the help!

Looks great!

Very classic. I'm glad you're pleased with the results.

very nice.

I do like it very much - and if you ever wanted to tone it down you could always go over it with white paint and keep the texture. I like the idea of using round 3-5' logs stacked in one of the open areas to add texture and make it look like a wood burner!