To think living rooms done have fires anymore?

[OverTheHammer]

So I'm getting quite into interior design and am currently pondering how to do the living room. In my job I visit upto 20 houses a day and I've noticed that the younger, more modern folk don't have living room fires anymore.

We currently have one of those electric "stones on fire" glass wall pieces but IMO, that is dated now!

DH disagrees and says a living room needs a centre piece fire.

AIBU to think fires are "so last year"?

Elphame - so did I until I found this house - two unexpecteds, a proper chimney and a large garden.
Builders might be getting more discriminating, (the level of insulation is amazing) and I now wonder why I spent so many years in old houses thinking only they could give me 'character' (when they gave me high running costs, damp corners and endless repair bills). A new build with the 'character' of an old house is a win win.

I lived in a town house years ago that had the most beautiful huge fireplace. However I don't think it lends itself to modern housing but id take an old house any day over a new build

We have a coal-stove effect fire in our living room. I like it, but it isn't necessary with the central heating. All it does is displace where we can put the TV because our living room isn't big and the mantelpiece collects crap. I grewup with a proper fireplace (house was built in the late 80s as a cottage-style house) and I loved it.