We are planning a new house and will place a free-standing woodstove between the living and kitchen/dining areas. This is to serve as a focal point (facing the living area)and sort of room divider,as well as providing supplemental heat to the first floor. Initially, we looked at masonry stoves (Tulikivi) but the cost seemed out of line with our heating needs here in central VA. So now we have come up with a plan to surround the woodstove with a stone or brick "heat sink" that will be functional as well as decorative. The general shape would be similar to a hearth, but with a woodstove in the "hearth" opening. The back of the surround would face the dining area and we are thinking of placing a mantle there from some black walnut logs we had cut on the property. Looking for any ideas using stone and/or brick. Thanks!