My fireplace reno hack!

I'm so pleased with my fireplace glow-up! The main wall of the living room is all original brick, terrazzo mantle and a no-longer functioning wood burning fireplace. The wood triggers my asthma so I was set on putting in a gas insert, however we live in So Cal and really don't need the extra heat, and it priced out at $10k. I couldn't do it! Then I considered an electric insert but wasn't really sold on it either. I'd like to see how they evolve over a few more years I think.

So as a cheap fix I removed the filthy ugly screen, scrubbed a ton of soot out of the firebox (awful), put in some birch logs and rigged a light socket with an LED flame bulb. Under $100 and I love it! No, no one will be fooled that it's a fire, but it's cozy and so much better than the dirty black hole that it was before.

Still styling the hearth, I have a sheepskin coming, suggestions welcome!