Since your resources for this work is limited, the material you have received isn't up to par and you live in California with it's earthquakes, I'd forgo the limestone and do a nice wood with a stone/tile inset around the firebox. If you get stone, make sure it's sealed and easy to clean because stone is porous and you won't be able to remove it. The granite we sell has a 15 year sealer but it's important to keep it clean and wipe it after every use. The same kind of maintenance will probably be required with the limestone surround.

http://www.eldoradostone.com/types/fireplaces/

Thank you both. Any other home users out there?

Will this be a wood-burning fireplace or a gas log fireplace?

we plan to use gas logs but could do either

The other option is to go a bit more transitional and do a solid surface surround. See examples, below.

Thank you for your responses. The lack of actual home owners who have a limestone fireplace is making me rethink that option. I will continue to think about this. Thanks for the photos above.

The photo you supplied looks like a cast stone product to me. Actual limestone is very soft however the look is available in cast products.

Have you planned how you are going to clean the light colored limestone or any other light colored surround? Heat from a gas fireplace can change the color of your light surround. Soot, of course, causes it’s own problems of discoloration.

Thank you Joy, this is exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for. Please offer any other suggestions. The style of the family room will be a casual country or farmhouse feel.

This was something I was considering. You could buy an original antique limestone fireplace like in the first link. Most on their site appear to be sold but the last time I was in there they had loads of antique fireplaces for sale from France. They did have a few that were very beautiful and simple. They also sell reproduction cast stone fireplaces that you may consider. Maybe there is a similar place to this near you.

I had an old stone house we renovated in France that had some original limestone fireplaces. We stupidly had one sandblasted which sadly took off the patina. But otherwise it had lasted over a thousand years!

http://www.architecturalheritage.com/shop/MANTELS/ANTIQUE_FRENCH_ENGLISH_STONE_MANTELS

http://www.architecturalheritage.com/shop/MANTELS/REPRODUCTION_MANTELS

wmsimons85, thank you for sharing that link. I was wondering if this French limestone is a more durable limestone than the Texas limestone I was sent. In your experience, did it crumble easily? Mainly I am concerned about daily "accidents" like vacuum cleaner or picture frame being dropped on it. I have already convinced myself that this is not a practical solution for me, unfortunately it is so beautiful that it makes me want to find ways to make it work!

Wan24, unfortunately I’m not familiar at all with Texas limestone. I have never heard of it.

Have only experience with French limestone. The limestone fireplaces we had were a bit soft but as I said one was over a thousand years old so they last! . In fact our whole very old house was built with French limestone stones as were most in the area. Absolutely no problem with a vacuum cleaner hitting it!! There was a small cross to ward off evil spirits carved in it from about the 15th century though. :)

I would have you contact Siteworks architectural cast stone. I had them do matching fireplaces in a large home some years back and they were very nice to work with. Here is a copy of one of the site plans I dug up and a pic of the install. The both arrived perfectly and went in easily! The material is quite lovely also ; they were very helpful in color choice etc. I hope this helps.

I’m not an expert, but I live in Texas and I’m pretty sure I have a Texas Limestone fireplace. It’s much more rustic than the photo you posted.

Thank you all for your help and interest. I will include cast stone as one of our options and further explore this. :)

If you’re looking for limestone, Indiana actually has some pretty amazing quarries

Can you post a picture of your existing fireplace?

Francois and Co makes limestone mantels and also makes a limestone composite product called scagliola stone. We have a range hood, wine cellar cladding and steps made with the scagliola stone have been very pleased. The stone steps have held up well so far (admittedly they have only been in place a year.) Link to the mantel page: http://francoisandco.com/products/architectural/mantels-overmantels/

Thank you, I had previously looked at that website. Of course fell in love with it, but was trying to pretend I hadn't seen it due to probably very expensive! But it might be worth a call. Glad you are happy with it!

Wan24, what did you decide? I'm on the same boat: loving the look but worried about the wear and tear. Our builder has some reservations on cast stone and is leaning toward real stone.