Pull out or download the installation manual for the fireplace to check on requirements for non-flammable surfaces near it. That's the first place to start.

I would leave the stove and back wall empty, it's a statement all its own.

You will be running the back tile all the way to the ceiling, Right?

tall shelf units or armoire type pieces. you could add liting to the shelves...

Love! Love the red.

Lyn Nielson, what color tile or wood slats would you recommend?

I like lisedv’s suggestion, I was going suggest charcoal but her slate idea better. As much as I like navy & red together I like her idea of a lighter paint color since your chairs are black.

I would look for a rough finish rectangular tile and use a running bond pattern all the way to the ceiling. a Matte Black tile. and paint the wall either BM Bear Creek or BM Fairview Taupe.

My real concern is the flooring. Are you keeping the carpet?

a wood floor with an area rug would be a beautiful finish.

This would be a beautiful tile with your Red stove, and not expensive.

https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/cruz-bay-studio-arcadian-3inx12in-ceramic-subway-tile-tcon1076.html?piid=101335453

@Lyn Nielson …. or maybe Farrow & Ball’s ”Mole’s Breath”, that’s what we painted our fireplace wall ( modern), looks great with black. Described as gray but comes across more “ brownish “ in our house.

Colours differ from one computer to another but the suggested paint above didn't seem to match the tiles suggested by @Lyn Nielson. I did like the dark colour scheme so tried to reproduce itl

Lisedv if you have a program that created this picture would you be able to change the walls from brown to blueish gray. Leaving the stone wall as is. Sherwin has sw6243 Distance blue that I really like. Your picture looks great. If you can’t I’ll try to do something. Thank you

@Anita Stayner

Which stone wall do you mean? the slate in the 1st mockup?

Yes

I'd also look to bring the red into the rest of the room, maybe in accent pillows or an area rug. Would help it feel more a part of the place.

Oh thanks for changing the walks to blue. I really like that and yes will add a bit more red in other areas.

I love the red fireplace. Have you thought of getting a mantel for it? Something that would he safe to put around it and you need to research what would be safe.

Farrow & Ball has a beautiful blue color called Selvedge.

Since the red heater is such a strong focal point, I’d lean into it rather than trying to hide it. A neutral textured backdrop like vertical wood slats in a warm natural tone or light oak could work nicely against the blue walls and help balance the bold red. With black leather recliners coming in, that combination could feel quite modern and intentional.

Thank you all for the great suggestions.

I agree the tile all the way to the ceiling but I think just add some art with some red in it to make the fireplace connect to the space .I do find those chairs out of scale with that FP

if you are set on a blue wall, why not find a tile that is blue, so you have a wall of color with the fireplace backer as much needed texture. It will help make the black chairs not so prominent and still highlight the "art" feature in the room, the red stove. Sample, sample, sample.

colors look differently in every application, natural light, artificial light, the rooms location, everything is a factor. a big swatch of paint color, not just a brush stroke.

"Pull out or download the installation manual for the fireplace to check on requirements for non-flammable surfaces near it. That's the first place to start."

^^ This. Also the codes in your local municipality. If that's not a double-walled vent pipe, the current set-up is a fire waiting to happen. Clearances are no joke, especially if teh house burns down and your insurance doesn't cover it because you didn't follow proper clearances/codes/installation requirements (including exterior of the house).

Speaking of insurance, make sure you have a rider on your insurance policy that covers woodstoves.

Porkchop. I’m having trouble finding the manual. The fireplace was here when we bought it 28 years ago. It is run on natural gas and the exhaust pipe goes outside through the wall then up through the roof where it ends. A guy from the fire department is coming to take a look at it. Thanks for the information. Never thought about being turned down by insurance. Good food for thought and checking with the village.

"It is run on natural gas..."

Ah, that makes a big difference. My comments were in relation to a wood-burning stove, which I thought it was. Still, never hurts to have the city come out to take a look just to be sure everything is up to code even with gas. At my old house I had to have a special rider on my insurance policy for the wood-burning stove, but I don't think you do for gas -- but again, never hurts to check, and it may vary by insurer. Glad I got you thinking about all this -- lots of people don't...until something unfortunate happens.

Yes, have it inspected by the city. Even if it's to code as is, I still agree with taking the tile all the way up the wall and extending it to be the same size as the pad. It's a focal point and should look like one. As is, it kind of looks like an afterthought and incomplete. Slate is a wonderful idea.

I sure appreciated all of the comments and suggestions but I ended up doing this in the living room. Changed my mind about the wood or tile. Did board and batten. A carpenter friend cut and attached the slats across the wall. Painted walls evergreen fog and austere grey. Bought dark brown leather recliners and a loveseat in an oatmeal color. I think adding this calms the red. down the view of the fire fireplace. batten

Side view

It looks nice. I presume you were told that the wood behind the unit is to code.

^^^^ I know that you couldn't find the manual for your gas freestanding gas fireplace/stove (although you should be able to find them online by searching the manufacturer + model) - however, using combustible materials behind the stove may be an issue. It all depends upon what the required clearances are + how many inches are between your stove and the wall (measured to the raised moulding detail).

I also think that it looks nice - I am just concerned about having combustible materials located so close to the back of the stove.

I think switching from the black recliners to the ones you've purchases was a good decision!

Hi Dani_mo8

The wall and the locations and thickness of slats are in code. I was finally able to find the model number and confirmed the dims. Thanks for reminding me about this.

• Gas Fireplaces: These typically need 6 to 12 inches of clearance from combustible materials around the top, and 3 to 6 inches on the sides. Zero-clearance models allow the framing to touch the unit itself. Valor Fireplaces +2
• Ours is 8" from the wall.

I like it! The soft sage-y green you chose is the perfect foil to the stove, and not having tile behind there looks much better. In combination it does calm it down, as you said. (and you were smart to make sure it's up to code). Nicely done!