We've been looking forward to restoring the fireplace since we began the project.  It was probably a masterpiece when it was first constructed, but over the years rocks fell off the inside, the mantle was taken, and birds and ivy made it their home.   We used the fireplace as our only heat the first winter working on the house.  Once we had the interior walls up I became a little nervous about using it.   We put a cap on the chimney around the time we installed the tin roof and started noticing smoke coming out from places where the mortar has come loose.   We patched the holes as much as we could but eventually decided to somehow use a chimney pipe or flu for protection. In the mean time we decided to not use the fireplace until it was safe. 

During the summer we kept our eyes open for unique rocks, often stopping along side of the road to pick up an eye catcher.  We also took several hikes down some of the creek beds around and came home with a pickup load.   There were a a couple books and articles I read on building with stone.  Probably the most helpful book was called Building with Stone by Charles Raven.   Helen and Scot Nearing's book The Good Life also has some great detail on stone work. 

The day finally came and we moved all the first round rocks into the house, culling any we no longer found appealing.  We laid them out into categories of sizes, colors, and edges. In the center of the room we drew the dimensions of the fireplace and began the fun game of puzzle building.   By the end of the day we had our puzzle put together on the floor and had the hearth laid in mortar.  

During the next week we set one layer a day and jointed and cleaned the previous days work.   We had a local blacksmith in the area make a swinging arm for us that we mortared into the side of the fireplace.  I could smell the beans cooking and wanted to start a fire so bad the day we laid the last rock. 

There were several failed attempts at constructing a flue as well as the awkward task of dropping it down the fireplace.   But the great day finally came.  With the help of some good family we lowered a flue down, tightened the chimney cap back on and finally had the ceremonial fire.    Now with all the walls and insulation up and with the help of the two ceiling fans hanging from the vaulted ceiling,  we can't get over how easy the house stays warm.  We have installed central heat and air and plan to use it as a backup on the real cold winter days.   But there's nothing like sitting in front of the fireplace, sipping hot cider, listening to the crackle and floating in the spell that the roar of a fire can have over you.