@lisamod

A lake house where and what climate? A fireplace can be linear and spark, it can be huge and stone, it can be real wood burning or gas. It can be a major or a minor focal point. It can get a lot of use, or be a hole in the wall to which you pay little or no attention for nine months of the year. Or 12 months of the year !

Be more specific as to the why's and the what's above, and in answer to your question...........yes, you can have a home without one . The TV is the usual "fireplace" in most homes, so let us not deceive ourselves : ) ?