We like this look a lot. The clean lines of concrete make a good-looking modern fireplace. We know nothing about upkeep, but we did find an extensive article from the Concrete Exchange. The major advantages of concrete are its ability to be shaped and colored to fit the space, and it can be significantly cheaper than brick or stone depending on the design.
Marcel Breuer did some incredible concrete fireplaces; one was shaped kind of like a molar - very sculptural, elegant and even sensual.
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Richard Marks down @ http://www.concreteageartworks.com/ on 1900 South Halsted, in Chicago does some very handsome Fireplace Surrounds.
Tom Sherin (who doesn't have a website) sells his Concrete Tiles/Panels thru The Fine Line Showroom on Illinois...his work is exquisite, different from Richard Marks, a bit more "ornamental" (he embeds wire in his Concrete, forming a pattern)
AND,
theres always a good ol' STEEL Fireplace surround....
like the ones that I design and build...
http://www.kramerdesignstudio.com/fireplaces.htm
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