We're going to get rid of the curtains (finally) and put up blinds so we can keep them away from the hot stove, I'm not happy with curtains and have always hated the darn things.
Well I am most impressed with your tiling! it looks fab!.. love the stove... that is going to look fantastic ..... cant wait to see the finished pics!.... we are also looking at wood burners..... just have to decide now on which one......
if you install it yourself and don't have it inspected your home owners insurance may not cover any fire damage.. you might call just incase. usually it has to be inspected now adays.. we installed ours 30 yrs ago before inspections.. now the venting has to be so far away from the outside walls, windows etc. it has to be so many feet above the roof line.. things like that..i would call the local codes officer to get any info you can. we cooked all the time on and in ours.. steaks during the winter are great.. have hubby make you a grill.. and they have these sandwich makers.. you butter two pieces of bread and fill with ham and cheese or cherry pie filling and close them and bake in the fireplace.. i sure do miss mine.. we bought a pellet stove for our new home.. never again!!!!!