![New french doors flood the remodeled family room with natural light](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057007690-99RHQW99WQT48UYS8938/2019_0411-Sterchi-DaltonProject-044.jpg)
French Country Fireplace
![New french doors flood the remodeled family room with natural light](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057007690-99RHQW99WQT48UYS8938/2019_0411-Sterchi-DaltonProject-044.jpg)
New french doors flood the remodeled family room with natural light
![A “before” image taken while recording as-built dimensions](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057042926-TII3PJ9PIBVFC5RZD3N9/French+Fireplace-+Before+Pic.jpg)
A “before” image taken while recording as-built dimensions
![The existing firebox and “stonework”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057074965-3P7YTDDGZOEDVOQK1P8T/French+Fireplace-Before++Image+2.jpg)
The existing firebox and “stonework”
![The first version, remove the fireplace insert, use dry-stacked fieldstone for the body, a snapped stone surround and lintel, with a natural cut stone hearth and mantel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057118410-PJQVR55782M8C5DCX1ZK/Chung-+Fam.+Rm.+2.0.jpg)
The first version, remove the fireplace insert, use dry-stacked fieldstone for the body, a snapped stone surround and lintel, with a natural cut stone hearth and mantel
![The dark hardwood floor, ceiling, and boxed beams would remain](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057153641-GENKD5J2SXOKG33FKMI2/Chung-+Fam.+Rm.+2.0+window+2.jpg)
The dark hardwood floor, ceiling, and boxed beams would remain
![The second version, French country stonework body with a more formal French mantel and bullnose hearth in cast stone](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057189270-WZ9LOPZAMXDF9MHQDNNU/Chung+-+French+Fireplace.jpg)
The second version, French country stonework body with a more formal French mantel and bullnose hearth in cast stone
![The final version eliminates the dark ceiling, beams, floor, and rustic fireplace body in favor of a French Rococo style mantelpiece with a matching hearth and body in cast stone](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057224466-DB6EGQRNV74MSD6P8L4O/Untitled.jpg)
The final version eliminates the dark ceiling, beams, floor, and rustic fireplace body in favor of a French Rococo style mantelpiece with a matching hearth and body in cast stone
![Natural light, reflected from the white glazed poplar ceiling, enlivens the new space](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057261816-ZR1AWJ16GYLYR2Q05PDK/2019_0411-Sterchi-DaltonProject-043.jpg)
Natural light, reflected from the white glazed poplar ceiling, enlivens the new space
![Shop drawings for the chimney and hearth cladding](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057300063-06G3LVJJ6KRZGUT3LVK1/Chung-+Pachel+Quote+Doc+1.jpg)
Shop drawings for the chimney and hearth cladding
![Hearth and liner shop drawings](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057338960-0IJ7BK91NFLG88INP2YC/Chung-+Pachel+Quote+Doc+2.jpg)
Hearth and liner shop drawings
![An outline of the French reproduction mantelpiece on the cast chimney](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057372186-CC56BKUE2SMM2L2VOYOA/Chung-+Pachel+Quote+Doc+3.jpg)
An outline of the French reproduction mantelpiece on the cast chimney
![Fieldnotes after the demolition](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057409991-BTDCJ5OHJ6IYR10N9NHF/French+Country+Fireplace-Before+image.jpg)
Fieldnotes after the demolition
![Step one, add spacers between the new metal channels and the undulating surface of the existing chimney, establishing a flat vertical surface](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057447843-KQL7F5CLLTY7ETLYRA7Y/Chung-+Fireplace+Framing+1.jpg)
Step one, add spacers between the new metal channels and the undulating surface of the existing chimney, establishing a flat vertical surface
![Next, frame the hearth with metal studs then sheath the new structure with tile backer board](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057481689-LIOU7BMUYNESQEUK1YHF/Chung-+Fireplace+Framing+2.jpg)
Next, frame the hearth with metal studs then sheath the new structure with tile backer board
![Details for creating a substructure precisely fitting the back of the precast stone panels](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057517610-WDXM6D49ZORXOK1BU67V/Chung-+Fireplace+Framing+4.jpg)
Details for creating a substructure precisely fitting the back of the precast stone panels
![Chung- Fireplace Framing 3.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057562318-0DGBDYEPY86KPZ9AFO2M/Chung-+Fireplace+Framing+3.jpg)
![A field evaluation, attached to a request for two replacement panels](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057623786-AWMIKKDXZ28PKU8XZDG2/Chung-1.jpg)
A field evaluation, attached to a request for two replacement panels
![Details for installing the power, data, TV control conduit, and gas valve](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057666316-O01H14N71EWO2O2APNUU/Chung-+Fireplace+Rough-in.jpg)
Details for installing the power, data, TV control conduit, and gas valve
![A supplemental drawing illustrating a request for outlet recesses to be molded into the mantel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c1ac1f94cde7a94e55498a6/1584057700119-9AQ5ARCMPTJ8LXWJLZ6X/Screen+Shot+2020-01-15+at+12.41.32+AM.jpg)
A supplemental drawing illustrating a request for outlet recesses to be molded into the mantel