Here is a photo of the completed slate surround on our fireplace. It took two shipments from Vermont Natural Stone but the second time the shipper worked out great (Old Dominion) with no damage. It was glued together with some metal anchor hooks in the back of the main column and mantel pieces to hook it into the wall. Most of the pieces facing out are natural split stone (rough surface) and then we had a few edges honed like the mantel piece which is one long 74" slab that came out of Pennsylvania. The grey middle pieces are "J-grey" slate. We used a pewter colored grout and then covered the whole thing in a high gloss wet look style sealer.
The fireplace insert is a Napoleon NZ26. It's a superb unit that draws air from outside through heating tubes and has an automatic thermostat to blow hot air into the house. I've had a hard time burning 3 small California oak logs in a 3 hour period, that's how efficient it is.
All that remains is to put a metal trim bar around the transition from the slate to the fireplace insert where you can still see the drywall a little. I also need to figure out a way to get a screen on this baby. We like to hear the crackling sound which you cannot do if you close the main door. You are supposed to operate it door closed but it's nice to hear that crackling.
We're very pleased with the way it all turned out. Thanks to the Structural FX team who did the assembly.
