I still want to rip mine out and replace it with a flat, built-in, floor to ceiling bookcase and an arm chair. If it were central to the room and flat against a wall instead of taking up a much needed corner of space in a small living room, maybe I'd feel differently.

I love the idea of stacking your non-working fireplace with wood! The empty fireplace in our apartment depresses me. See more stacked fireplace images here: http://gogoabigail.com/blog/2007/11/07/inspiration-wood-fire-place/

And, if you're thinking "where can I find that much fire wood in nyc?" the answer is The NYC firewood company:
http://gogoabigail.com/blog/2007/11/07/little-house-in-the-big-city-or-where-to-find-firewood-in-nyc/

I want an electric or gel fireplace! Anyone know some good picks?

Does anyone know the names of the firestones they use in fireplaces (the kind that take the place of wood).

Mine's boarded over; I've ordered a poster of a fireplace hearth scene with which to cover that blank white surface for (hopefully) a bit of tromp d'oeil...

Hi - I have a "fire in my non-working fireplace all the time in the winter. I use those gel cans (I call it "Fire in a Can") and I can confirm that they work great. They create no soot - in fact their by-product somehow is water. I have a metal grate that comes up high enough to hide the cans. When I have 2 or 3 going, it is really great. They even have a "crackle sound" somehow engineered in and give off some small heat. There is absolutely no fire hazard and they are much cleaner burning than candles; just don't leave it burning unattended. Love it!