I like the movement/ "texture" of the travertine and how it goes with the floor. I think the lighter one is cleaner with the couch but the travertine looks better with the rug. I could go with either but for the $1,000 savings I would probably choose travertine. Can you tell me what draws you towards the white limestone? I am horrible at colors?

I guess the simplicity of it..and the brightness it would bring into the room..but honestly I love the travertine just as much and it will give you more of that stone fireplace feel you have been wanting all In wrapped up in a beautiful surround!

Yes, that it why I like it as it gives me more of the stone look that I always liked. So travertine it is! Maybe I can brighten the room with changing the paint. Can you help with the other decisions please on which fireplace, fillers, no fillers, tile?

Let me read the post with your options..I will post a suggestion tomorrow..want to understand about the fillers before I give any suggestion😄 I will check back in tomorrow..

Thank you! I appreciate your expert assistance.

Good morning Little Sister! I agree with Home Interiors with Ease that both stones are beautiful. I have to admit, I don't understand the design choices in the Maderno Travertine.

Suggestion. Fill out their custom form and ask if they can do a quick mock up. Are there other options, e.g. large blocks at the base of each side to get the needed height, instead of fillers?Several examples on their website. They must have design software and could give you a visual, instead of us trying to imagine it. One thing for certain, I would use the same tile, as opposed to any other choice for the filler, to keep the "simplicity and brightness."

Good Morning Big Sister! Good suggestion on the design center. I just wanted to get my back and forth out of the way so that I only drive two people nuts :).

Yes, on the same stone as it is cut from the same material.

In the pictures below the dark brown would be where the fillers would go. The white is the stone surround. I think that blocks would only make the gap for the filler bigger. The first picture shows fillers all the way around. It would be in the same stone. Second picture shows just a filler on the top and snug fit on the sides I I do not like this look but it is often used). .

The KEY question from yesterday , referencing the two pictures after your mock-up post, is it aesthetically pleasing to have the top taller than the sides or will the 12" all around work? Thanks for hanging in there!

Ok this is what I am thinking is best...

Thank you Julie! That is also what my sister was saying. I sure hope that this is the last question for you on this fireplace. You have been a blessing. Enjoy your day.

I agree Julie. It is too traditional. I was just trying to give my sister and example of a fireplace that the top can be bigger than the sides. Thank you for looking out for me. I like the one I think you chose. FP 102 or you also liked FP 105 or FP 101.. I will have to go through the thread. Do you think that this is the longest running thread on houzz for one item?

I meant "design choices," i.e. the fill. Having them in contrasting colors makes it hard to imagine. And I wasn't certain until your post above what you meant in terms of the choices on filler. You also said, "This is the original contemporary one.. It is in the Maderno Travertine. It would also need fillers to make it taller." This is the reason I suggested blocks at the bottom, i.e. to make it taller. But that doesn't appear to be the case, from your latest post. Sorry for getting confused.

Oh Karen you are so darn sweet! I think you are all set..... it is going to be so beautiful!

Just to update the two of you. I called the company and am getting a quote to change the dimensions on the mantel. The top will be 16" and the sides 12". Turns out that it can be done and should not be much more expensive.

I agree you want those 45 degree angels that is what I love! Well I would not do the wider top keep it the same all around so you don’t loose that design element...wish I could give you more detail but I am certainly not an expert on how the elements are achieved....I would depend on showing them your #1 design and they tell you how to achieve it..than you know you will get what you want....one thing I know it will be gorgeous!

Here is the design from the fireplace company with the taller top thus needs no fillers. I am happy with the new corner angles due to the increased top height.

However my gut has been telling me all along to go with a different style that Julie posted above. and is pictured below but with the new angles. Do I have your blessings? If so should I stick with a 4-5" depth? The picture shows it in a 7" depth. Not sure how far out I should go into the room.

Good morning Karen. I really like this style: color, lines, weight. And I think the angles work. I also think the 7 inch profile would work; I don't think that's too large of a projection. My guess is that this would be a simple modification by the company, since the only thing you'd be changing is the angle and height of the top. Which they've already shown they can do. This goes equally well in your room as the other design. And ultimately you could match the window trim to the fireplace outside, by adding another ogee molding all the way around. (Sorry for clipping the left hand side a little too close.)

Looking at it again, this is beautiful. The angle change in this fireplace works so much better than in the other design. I think it's because there are fewer seams. And the color is gorgeous.

Here is a similar fireplace with cladding ( I erroneously called them fillers) and in a similar color. This is what the FP 101 would look like but the FP 101 does not have the rounded edges. The FP 102 has different profile.

Still not a fan of cladding but for stone because I love the ones that fit up against the fireplace... I agree with Julie that with this design that cladding is probably best if I want to get the height..

Hi Karen..yes that looks great! Hard to describe but you need that additional “cladding” filler around fireplace and than the surround...that is how I understand it? In the above image I see that line where top attaches to sides but you still get that continuous design all around ...looks like one piece.....I don’t mind that...nice to see the image. Hope your are doing well!

I have been told that when the cladding is used that it is not a tight butt seam up against the legs of the fireplace. There will be at least 1/4" to 3/8" grout line. I am very disappointed to hear this as none of the pictures show this. The seams where the legs meet the top I knew existed. That is a deal breaker for me. So in my mind it will not be the seamless look that all the pictures show can be achieved. Sounds to me as if I should not have attempted ordering a $3,500 mantel on the interment as I am not cut out for it. I appreciate all of you help and am officially throwing in the towel as this fireplace has made me crazy. Transitional white wood surround with marble cladding that I can see in person.

Oh no Karen...so sorry this has been so difficult....I would be right by your side if was in your area and figuring it all out so it would be perfect for you!

Thank you Julie, I know it would be perfect with your help. I am totally ok with less than perfection.

You would be really surprised to know that I designed my own kitchen from scratch, found an Amish cabinet maker, paid a local business to computerize the design and made only a couple tweaks all within less than one month and without the input from anyone else. It was so easy and enjoyable. So I am not this crazy in all areas of my life. A lot of example on HOUZZ of this look in very lovely rooms.

Have no idea if this changes your mind one way or the other...but I thought it really was beautiful.

Hi Julie, It is pretty but I am just not a fan. Thank you for sharing the picture.

Oh no worries..I want you to just love it! Are you thinking going back to stone? Or are you thinking a combination of tiles and wood surround painted? You know I am here if you need me..so sorry this did not work out for you...I feel like I added stress to your life..so very sorry.

Julie, Thank you for you kind words. You have been so sweet and positive throughout all of this drama. I am sorry that I have shared my frustration but please know that it has nothing to do with you. You are beacon of hope and I really appreciate your professional design advice and taking this crazy fireplace ride with me. I am sorry that you in any way feel responsible for my frustration. You have led me to two excellent choices!

Upon reflection it seems to me that I have backed off when I came to the conclusion that the execution may not work out. I really love all of the ideas. The stone surround, the Austin Stone, stacked stone probably my favorite but I cannot pull off the installation, and white wood surround with tile or marble cladding. Execution has stopped me each time. The only sure one is the white/tan wood surround with marble or tile cladding.

The picture shows the mock up of the stone being 16" all the way around as a possible solution. The second picture is a white/tan wood surround with either a marble cladding or marble/travertine tile cladding.The third picture with a bit of tweaking on molding style is a winner for me in either material. I will be changing out the wood window trim when I get the cloudy window fixed. It could mimic the fireplace lines.

When I think about it I have been most successful with a picture the creation, which is what you suggested Julie, and a good contractor. Below would be 16" all the way around.

Absolutely no reason this can’t be accomplished with wood and moldings...I do believe you will get this look with a good finished carpenter! Good Luck and keep me posted!! I am here not going anywhere!😁🤗 I want to see this fireplace completed girl!

Thank you! So I should not consider this in the travertine stone? 16” all the way around like the brown paper bag picture. It would not have cladding and would have square corners because it is 16 all around. Too much?

Oh Karen Stone is my very first choice! Yes yes yes

Hi Julie, 16" all the way around? Is it a good proportion with the fireplace and wall? NO cladding but I would add some interest to it.

Is this 16” all around?

If so the proportions look great to me...honestly I am so happy you totally haven’t given up on the travertine Stone.🥰

Yes it is 16". I will ask them to mock up the drawing for next week. I switched to FP 101 as I really like that linear line and shelf on top but can switch back to the first choice from above if it is 100% above the rest. . We have looked at so many profiles. Do you have a favorite profile for the fireplace. Since it will likely be 16" I think I need to add some interest as I think it would be too boring. Do you have any picture of which profile I should shoot for? Does not have to be one of these. The black one is in there as I think it may what the FP101 from Custom Fireplaces would look like without some interest. Might be too contemporary for me.

• You know that last image was my first one I had found I still love that one. Top two
  
  

Look what I found in a Pottery Barn catalog (finally had time to look at it). Getting pricing for similar stone but the edges are wider like in the above pictures. Wish me luck on ordering soon!

Hey Karen! It is such a beautiful look and statement!....good luck🤗🙏🏻

following

Hey Karen just checking in on you....

Select the stone you like the best, even if it doesn’t exactly match your wall color. You can always paint the walls.

following

Home Interiors with Ease Hi Julie, Sorry I just dropped off of houzz. I really LOVED your choices for my fireplace and they definitely influenced the directly I ultimately chose. I just could not pull off the installation of the Austin stone or the sandstone surround. I think either of them would have been wonderful. I went with a much simpler to implement design that I think combines elements of both or your top choices. The coloration and texture of the Austin Stone and the limestone surround architecture but in white wood. I could not have gotten to this point without your professional assistance. Thank you!

The tray on the ottoman needs to be painted or replaced. I think a table would look better there but we really do use the ottoman a lot as it is our tv viewing space. DEFINITELY need to change out the paint color!

Home Interiors with Ease I acquired an antique French clock in an art deco style. I hope you like it! Trying to decide if I should refinish it. The bottom has a lot of nicks as it has traveled the world.

The room was painted before even the flooring went in and it was chosen in January therefore I think it is a bit cold so would like to repaint it in a fresher, warmer and much lighter color. Any ideas of possible choices?

Hi Karen...sorry I did not get this last notification? just stopped by to see how you were doing..and you have been busy!

is the fireplace completed? Would love to see an updated photo.

the clock is amazing! would not place in a corner but find a wall where it can be on a flat...any area in your entrance?

looking forward to getting an update🤗

HI Julie (Home Interiors with Ease,

Happy New Year! I hope you and your family are doing well.

I am hoping that within the next few weeks that the surround will be built. Definitely will post pictures when completed :). I hope you like it! Still not sure what color I will paint it.

I am changing the SW Anew Gray paint that is in my kitchen, hallway and family room to a lighter color as I find this a bit too dark and a bit too gray even though it is a warm color. I have sampled a couple but... Wish me luck ;)

Karen it is fantastic! So Happy you are Happy 🤗🤗

Yes, very happy with the look and materials. I would have painted it one of the shades of the stone but got color choice paralysis. Maybe another year but I think it looks great. Thank you very much!!!!