Fireplace or Television?

[Trochilids]

When we built this house a couple years ago I wanted a fireplace. Wife didn't like them -- too dusty -- but she consented and we put one in downstairs. We purposefully omitted TV outlets downstairs where the fireplace is. The wife and I actually spend more time on the couch in front of the fire than we do in front of the TV now! That's cool. Still working on getting the kids to join us more!

How about the rest of you? Do you more often sit by the fire or in front of the TV? Or both at the same time?

 

[buc74]

By the fire 90% of the time. Yet we do likely have our laptop or a book in hand.

 

[Woody Stover]

Fireplace is on the south wall, TV on the east, about 4' apart as the crow flies. Our chairs face the TV, though...

 

[Chimney Smoke]

My chairs face the tv and the woodstove - best of both options. Wouldn't hurt my feelings if the tv went away but the wife would never have that.

 

[St. Coemgen]

Gave away the TV 8 years ago. Never regretted it. DVDs and on-line shows on the computer or tablet are enough.

But I certainly do like watching the fire. I often read the news on my tablet in front of the stove, and after reading an article or two of depressing world events, I will just look up and "lose" myself in the dance of flames for awhile. Very relaxing.

 

[DUMF]

My chairs face the tv and the woodstove - best of both options. Wouldn't hurt my feelings if the tv went away but the wife would never have that.

"THE WIFE" ???
P.S. No, no fireplace allowed on this site.

 

[firefighterjake]

Once in a while I will turn off the TV and just watch the fire for a few minutes . . . typically before going to bed . . . and sometimes I end up drifting to sleep in my chair while watching the fire.

 

[m159267]

Fireplace and TV are on adjacent walls.
We have 2 rocker / recliners that sit on a constructed swivel base.
We can face the fp or swivel and face the TV.
We can enjoy both at the same time or separately.
When the chairs are not being used they always face the fp.
Red walls are being prepped for painting in pic.

 

[Rearscreen]

Interesting question. The last few nights as I watch TV with my girlfriend, the Progress is next to it and my eyes often are more drawn to the flames. Granted, she is watching girlie movies, but if a Rush concert DVD was on I doubt I'd miss a beat.

 

[NickDL]

We have a tv in the same room as the fireplace. There is nothing better than watching a movie together while a nice fire is burning next to you.

 

[Squisher]

It's true what your parents said. TV rots your brain. My only TV lives in its own room in the basement and it's for movies or Netflix.

 

[OhioBurner©]

I rarely watch tv. But I suppose I also rarely watch the fire too lol. Just not enough time in a day to sit around too long! But I do enjoy watching the fire in the evening (unless it is a very boring full cat burn with a dark flameless firebox). The layout in my room, with the furniture I already had did not really allow 2 different focal points so I put them both together. TV is on top of the mantle. I don't really like having to look 'up' at the tv, but it works well enough and my son doesn't mind. Only thing I'm missing is a nice country gal to enjoy it with me!

 

[jetsam]

We don't have a TV. Threw mine away when I was 18, haven't missed it. Picked a wife who felt the same way.

 

[bwells794]

neither. TV rots your brain (the programming, not the actual device). More of a PC enthusiast myself. I come home and plop down in my tall backed leather executive's chair most nights.

 

[mellow]

TV is above the insert, but since I run mine low and slow it is not much fun to watch the insert.

 

[OhioBurner©]

neither. TV rots your brain (the programming, not the actual device). More of a PC enthusiast myself. I come home and plop down in my tall backed leather executive's chair most nights.

Just wanted to point out that you have complete control over the TV programming (well to some extent) and there is plenty of brain stimulating stuff to watch.

Personally I watch more non-fiction stuff like PBS programming, then I do stuff just for entertainment. But yeah I spend much more time on the computer. Plenty of ways to rot your brain on the computer too. Anymore they are almost one in the same... with all sorts of video streaming capability on the computer and internet access on the tv...

 

[Trochilids]

By the fire 90% of the time. Yet we do likely have our laptop or a book in hand.

I hear ya. I'm on the laptop. Wife is reading a book. Fireplace warming my face!

 

[Trochilids]

We have a tv in the same room as the fireplace. There is nothing better than watching a movie together while a nice fire is burning next to you.

Yeah, guess I can't argue with that!

 

[St. Coemgen]

The layout in my room

The brick work in the photo of your wood stove/TV setup is really nice.

 

[FPX Dude]

TV right above, and a lot of time on mute...

 

[jetsam]

View attachment 174017

That's a cool double fireplace. The second one looks like some kind of magic wood tunnel that is conveniently spewing split wood out next to the stove.

Historical question: back when fireplaces were for heat and cooking, what was the purpose of a double fireplace like that? One to roar and heat the room and one to run low and cook on, maybe?

 

[OhioBurner©]

That's a cool double fireplace. The second one looks like some kind of magic wood tunnel that is conveniently spewing split wood out next to the stove.

Historical question: back when fireplaces were for heat and cooking, what was the purpose of a double fireplace like that? One to roar and heat the room and one to run low and cook on, maybe?

Thanks, but actually the second part there is just a built in compartment for holding wood, no fireplace in that one! The brickwork is pretty massive, it is about 9 feet wide at the bottom and IIRC 19' to the peak of the room. Originally I had a flush insert in there but just couldn't cut the mustard. I added on a brick hearth extension for the new stove, which sticks out like a sore thumb but work well. I plan on selling at some point an removing my extension and re-installing the insert.

They put a couple railroad spikes in the center of the brickwork, one a few feet up from the mantle and another 3/4 way to the top. I used the one as a hanger and fabricated up a bracket to hang the tv on it. Came out pretty well I think, and I didn't have to drill the brick or anything. Just hope that spike holds...

 

[jb6l6gc]

Both

 

[countybrown]

Both are in the same room. My leather recliner is right next to the stove. I kick my feet up right next to the front and watch a few shows in comfort.

I'm not a big TV watcher though. I'm either at work, at the gym, or outside with the dog most of the time. Working nights does have some benefits since you can be outside until dark working every day.

When I do watch, it's usually the history channel or discovery. The Curse Of Oak Island is my soap opera.

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

I like the stove and all, but it's got tough competition from The Bachelor, Keeping up with the Kardashians, the Lifetime Movie Network...