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Custom Home Planning Center The answer has more to do with the suspended weight and the structures for transfer of load. Lightest wood , 2. 1/2" drywall 3. tile backing board with a scratch coat of plaster and a finish coat of Norfolk veneer,4. wire lath, bed coat plaster tile or stone. What ever the material consistency on all sides would seem best. Don't forget to add steel cross bracing in both direction as impacts could cause cracking and or separation of finish layers.

olldcan Thats quite the stand alone piece ( no pun intended) I'd keep all side the same and maybe add a drywall reveal to it. This fireplace really needs very little, I'd hate to see it get overdone

Dytecture If you feel adventurous, consider cladding that wall with copper.

Susan Jablon Mosaics You could do glass tile! Maybe not quite as bold as copper, but stunning, modern, and would look beautiful on all sides. I think doing the sides in different finishes would seem overdone as candace66 said, but also break up the fireplace too much and seem disjointed.
This is an iridescent tile with a gorgeous sheen, available in a variety of colors to fit your color scheme.

klingsoula Thank you for your suggestions. The style in the rest of the house will be modern, scandinavian, light. Any suggestion for a light stone?

Buechel Stone Corp so many options in the world :).. you can see what we have to offer - lots ot chose from.

http://www.houzz.com/pro/buechelstone

Custom Home Planning Center You should look at the choices of metals on this site: http://www.chemetal.com/designs/ ad it could be just the style kick your looking for.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. I'd go either smooth silky tile in a horizontal run around pattern - drystack, or square blocks of wood
barn board! Just make sure if you do use wood, that the protect the wood with a high intensity heat protected coating!
Whatever you choose - do the same on all four sides - it will create flow from one room to the next - do NOT change out the material...wrap it around all four sides.

Good luck with your project - your new home looks stunning!

victorianbungalowranch I was wondering if stone or tile would be a bit heavy for the all glass bottom, structurally and visually. I think a touch of wood looks wonderful in a scandinavian inspired setting.

greenthumb2 Hi. Look at skins. There are several wood skins available. They are lightweight, earthy, and you can cover your unit with them. Sharp 90 degree edges (the corners) can be capped or not. Do the math on all your ideas. Then, decide what price you can live with and what that price allows you to purchase. A skilled craftsperson/wood worker is crucial if you go this route because of the nature of this project. best of luck. Enjoy your journey in renovation....

Crown Plaster Inc. May you wanna try Venetian Plaster or Artisan Lime Plaster ( 216 colours are available in 5 different textures ) have a look at www.ecostucco.com

Cheers

Crown Plaster Inc. May you wanna try Venetian Plaster or Artisan Lime Plaster ( 216 colours are available in 5 different textures ) have a look at www.ecostucco.com

Cheers

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