Opinions please/fireplace construction HELP EDITED WITH NEW PIC

So, we decided to take the plunge and buy the new house because of the great deal we were getting. We are signing the contracts tomorrow, so here is my question, the previous couple in contract had the builder upgrade the fireplace with floor to ceiling stacked stone, they had no intentions of using this room as any sort of television room. With two small kids this room is very important so basically we are having them take down the top portion of the stone on the fireplace add an electrical outlet as well as the smart tube for our TV, would you have them extend the mantle all in stone, leave it the size it is or have them add a mantle that kind of resembles the pillars. The previous couple also added the carpet, we are switching it back to hardwood.
This is the kitchen scheme which is right next to the LR, this is the dining room/foyer and how the stone is currently.....

TIA


update: So we decided to remove the upper portion with the arch and extend the mantle. We also removed the carpet and added hardwood to the room. We purchased a smaller TV because for some reason the bigger one looked really bulky. sorry for the Christmas pic of it! any suggestions as to what to put on the shelves?

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Message edited 1/26/2009 12:24:35 PM.

Re: Opinions please....

Also, wanted to mention she said the previous people also did it because they wanted a tuscan theme to match the house, I don't feel like that was the intent, maybe I'm totally missing it all together, she said the living room and kitchen were going to be like that. Also, she stated the stone was to match the outside. Opinions?

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Re: Opinions please....

Beautiful room!

Are you definitely taking the stone out on top for a TV? You can still put a TV up there with the stone, like this:





If you're already set on taking out the stone on top, I would add a white mantle to match the built-ins, like this:

Re: Opinions please/fireplace construction HELP

Thanks.... I'm not a big fan of the stone and could deal with it, but my DH says he cannot stand it at all. We have a 60 inch and he thinks it will be very hard to install if the stone was still there because of the arch in the middle. We also both think it will look funny! LOL Maybe if that arch shape in the middle was not there we would stick with it, but they said we cannot just take those pieces out.

Message edited 9/15/2008 9:36:00 AM.

Re: Opinions please/fireplace construction HELP

I don't mind the stone but do not like the look of the arch. I would add a white mantle that matches/resembles the pillars and built-in. I'm a big fan of this look.

Re: Opinions please/fireplace construction HELP

Like CaMacho pic...

I like this option. It would look really nice with the rest of the house. Not a fan of the brick work with the arch.

BTW, beautiful house.

Message edited 9/15/2008 9:46:43 AM.

Re: Opinions please/fireplace construction HELP

I would leave it.. I Love it!

Re: Opinions please/fireplace construction HELP EDITED WITH NEW PIC

BUMP for updated pic!

Re: Opinions please/fireplace construction HELP EDITED WITH NEW PIC

I think it came out great ! I love it !!!