This is the main room of the house where the family gathers every morning before the day starts.  I wanted this room to be the focal point of the first floor of the house.  Since I grew up buring wood in the winters, I wanted a stone fireplace where I could continue the tradition.  My kids love having a fire every morning during the winters.  I enlisted the help of a cousin by the name of Eric Evans from Evans Masonary out of Tully, NY.  Tully is just south of Syracuse by about 20 miles.  Eric was kind enough to do me a favor and travel up to Laconia, NH to help me out.  He work is second to none.  We very pleased with how this room turned out.  I have a fire started when the kids get up and before they go to bed.  It is a tradition around here to have a story in front of the fire before bedtime.  The look and warmth of a real fire is to die for.  There is no substitute.  I actually look forward to the winters.  We make it a year long event by stacking wood in the summer and using it in the winter.