Do not try to test or fiddle with gas on your own unless you care to have an explosion ino your face. Speaking from experience here and some bad burns. Get a pro to check it out. You may already have a working fireplace that is just dirty. You can paint with Romabio lime wash or you could consider totally refacing the stone with a new layer of some different material on top. I don't know much about inserts, so that might be something to Google for basic ideas. Most of the inserts I have seen discussed at Houzz are the linear, electric type.

You need a gas-certified plumber to check your gas connections. You need a licensed chimney sweep to check the chimney, perhaps install a liner and cap, and give you options. We removed the gas line to the kitchen floor, preferring to burn only wood to cook. One fireplace was fitted with a gas starter and we burn wood in it. Three of our fireplaces have gas logs, one with a remote control. We started with the chimney sweep (40 miles away, so you might have to look far afield) and did research on all of his recommendations.

Fireplace, not kitchen floor. Stupid spell correction feature.

I'll chime in from Hansen Wholesale and add to what Bruce in Northern Virginia had to say,

Gas logs, a custom fireplace screen and some andirons will really spruce up your fireplace. Just make sure you have a chimney sweep inspect to ensure it is safe to burn wood. If you can burn wood, you can burn gas logs. Have the gas line inspected by a certified plumber or your heating and air guys. Also, some gas utility companies will come to inspect it free.

Once you get it checked out, visit Hansen Wholesale and we can take care of the rest.

Here's how it might look when we are done:

Shown Above: Charred Angel Oak Gas Logs with Custom Arched Fireplace Screen and Spearhead Andirons

Thanks so much! What is the purpose of andirons in this setup?

Heather,

In your case the andirons serve no functional purpose, but add a nice finishing touch that is often overlooked these days. Originally, andirons had long shanks on them and were essential functional pieces that held the wood inside the fireplace. So they became an essential piece of the fireplace decor.

Just a little history about andirons:

Historically, the fireplace was the single most important focal point in a room because it was the only source of heat and everyone always gathered in front of it when it was cold. So particular attention was placed on the various elements around the fireplace, especially in opulent homes. Often times, people were judged by the andirons in their fireplace. I once read that a doctor or lawyer might pay the sum of 2 or 3 months wages to commission an artisan to craft the perfect andirons for their fireplace, making sure they were every bit more elaborate than the Jones's house next door. That is why there are so many lavish style antique andirons in existence today that are sold in the $3,000.00 to $5,000.0 price range. They were considered heirlooms.

Here are a couple examples of Antique Recreation Andirons that we sell.