Not quite what you asked, but some food for thought!
Previous house was a 1960's bungalow, we did think about putting a fire in but it didn't really seem in keeping with the property. Plus I had spare bricks, cement and plaster so the total cost was about £10 for the plastic vent and a short length of skirting board.
Before:
After:
Current House:
The fire has never worked as long as we have lived here (3.5 years) and is pretty hideous. I have just had the gas capped off and pulled out the fire place and we are left with a hole at the moment. It's a 1970's semi so I'm not sure a grand fireplace is exactly fitting! Current plan is a beam/shelf over the hole, keep the hearth and line the hole with something, maybe tiles or wood? Then pop a basket of pinecones in or something.
Dave