SFGate

Hi again Kristen - Each space is 14'x14'. The Dining space beyond the Kitchen is 12'x14' and the end space is an 18'x18' Family space. The windows at the far end are 42' from the lens. - HM

Try White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore.

Mason-Lite ( http://www.mason-lite.com ) has the capability to build a linear, prefab masonry, woodburning fireplace that is light enough to install on wood framing. I imagine you probably have a Mason-Lite dealer up there somewhere (if not, we can help you)
The issue with installing TV over the top usually comes when you try to RECESS the television. The fireplace itself is much larger than what you see when the wall is finished and the class "A" chimneys a pretty big, preventing much (if any) recessing of the TV.
The image below happens to have a gas burner installed, but it is a linear Mason-Lite firebox (it also happens to be see-through, but one-side is also possible)

I'm not sure I get this; maybe I'm overlooking something. What is the motivation for using wood in the fireplace?

Hi Hilltop, Call us old fashion, but we like the idea and smell of real wood burning in the fireplace. Truth be told, the fireplace will probably not be used all that much, but when it is - I want the real thing. I don't care about cleaning up post fire, residual smoke, storing wood, etc. Tom has a good point however about the chimney interfering with the recessed T.V. so we were trying to get the firebox low to the floor in order to not place the T.V. very high. We may have to give up and settle for gas.

You might consider one of these narrow ones and place the TV beside it. They also make a more normal sized one.

http://www.epicturs.com/2009/11/16/wood-burning-fireplaces-for-your-modern-home-by-montegrappa/

We've just installed a Stuv fireplace from Belgium (there is a Canadian distributor in Montreal). The Stuv is essentially a woodburning stove with some models having the option of being installed at floor level. Check out stuv.com for some very contemporary wood burning fireplace ideas.

Hire a mason :) Rhoda
Here is an example - not long and narrow, though
http://www.houzz.com/photos/52500/family-room--stone-masonry-fireplace-with-flat-TV-contemporary-family-room-san-francisco

First thing to do is hire a good local architect who can help you visualize your options, of which you have many. The chimney / recess for the television issue isn't really what should drive the design. It should really be based on your vision for the entire room.

One thing to consider in the long run is that one can generally convert from wood to gas, but not the other way (unless you are changing back to wood from gas). The technology involved when installing a solid fuel burning fireplaces is also acceptable for gas products, but not vice versa.

Now that modern fireplaces with glass or stones as burner media are popular, we have people ask us all the time if they can change out the artificial logs in their gas fireplace to something more modern. The answer is "NO".

But if you have a masonry woodburning fireplace with a working chimney, you may change over to a gas burner for convenience. I am not one to talk you into gas, because I love everything about wood, but even I don't have a wood burning fireplace at home, because it doesn't suit my current lifestyle, which is extremely busy. ; )

The Montegrappa inserts are not available in the US (yet), but the STUV inserts are. None of the woodstove/insert types from either of those companies are very horizontal like the photo at the top, and many require that they are installed into a masonry fireplace.

I agree with @bud_dietrich - come up with your design first, and then see how the elements work together. This is going to sound like heresy on houzz.com, but architects and designers generally aren't very familiar with fireplace technology, so get a National Fireplace Institute certified hearth professional involved early on ( http://www.nficertified.org/pages_consumers/consumers-1.html ). We get plans every day with fireplaces that can't be built because the technology does not exist, or because they defy the laws of physics, or because the building codes won't allow it.