Yay! Be sure to share a pic once you get it setup the way you like. 
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@momofboiler1 wrote: “I’ve seen fireplaces stacked with books.”
Wasn’t that in the movie Fahrenheit 451 ?
You may need battery operated lights but I get tired of changing the batteries monthly - I bought these lights early October and love them. Plenty of lights on a strand and you can set a timer so they are on for 6 hours and off for 18 - and a couple other options
HSicily Fairy Lights Plug in, 8 Modes 33ft 100 LED USB String Lights with Adapter Remote Timer Twinkle Lights for Christmas Thanksgiving Bedroom Patio Wedding Party Indoor Outdoor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075TVFM4T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RX9020VAYWNZ0WF6FJPW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
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I have no outlet that is accessible and hidden, so I have to have battery-powered lights.
Glad you are getting such good ideas - brought back the memory of my first NYC apartment and I put the dogs bed in the non working fireplace. She loved it and probably the only space in my tiny apartment for a dogs bed 
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We had a non-working clean tiled fireplace at our first house. My kids used to build a cubby fort with it. 
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Love it - one of the things I love about CC Parent Forum are the posts that bring back memories long forgotten and all the great ideas too
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Here are birch logs with the fairy lights. Very festive! I do think some greenery would be nice - especially underneath. Thoughts?
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Looks very nice! How about adding pine branches and pine cones.
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The logs look great! Try pulling them forward so they stand out even more. Also consider lining the fireplace with boards painted in a color that blends well with the brick. The gray interior clashes a bit with the warm brick now that it’s lit.
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Okay, I pulled both the grate and the logs forward. Thanks!
That sounds hard! I would have no idea how to do that - lol. Not to mention that I don’t have anywhere to do anything like since we are in a condo building.
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you have a great eye - wouldn’t have thought to do either of those things and you are right. maybe we need a cc design forum with ideas
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Thanks, @coffeeat3 .
@Hoggirl, a simple solution would be to cut foam board to size and paint it. You can find the foam board most anywhere poster board is sold. Any paint will do, there are so many colors at craft stores and even Walmart. I suggest any of the shades from the brick, a soft cream to a warm tan. If the foam board doesn’t stay in place, use double sided tape or sticky back velcro.
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Look at you following through! It looks so nice! Where did you end up finding the birch logs??
I agree that it might help to either move the display forward a bit or add a little more color and/or content. Not to make it too busy but maybe a good fake greenery (I think Target has some that is pretty real looking) or maybe some greenery and a lantern or two. Any chance you can find something in your home that you could put down there temporarily just to see how it looks if you give the space a little more dimension?
I actually like the inside walls the way they are - gives the fireplace some realism. Great job
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I ordered some from Amazon along with the fairy lights. I’m probably a little too much about the, “easy button.” 
I am going to look for some other greenery for sure. I looked at Walmart when I happened to be there today, and the selection was abysmal! So, I will have to look elsewhere. There is not room in there for a lantern.
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Another easy idea if you want to cover the gray interior is peel and stick removable wallpaper. I’ve never tried it on that type surface but a quick Google search says that it will stick to brick/concrete. There are many, many options from a solid warm beige to something with texture or that looks like wood. Personally I’d keep it very simple so the logs, lights and greenery are the focus.
I think it looks good as is.
Looks like you have a fireplace screen? If you shut it, you won’t notice the color of the fireplace itself as much.
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