Opening up an old fireplace.

[pigleychez]

Having removed the fireplace today, behind we have the original open chimney breast.
We are thinking of plastering it out getting a made to measure hearth and adding an electric stove.

Anyone done this? What would be the best way to go about it?
Plastering first then the hearth?
Any tips? any good sites to look at?

We put our hearth in first then plaster boarded with heat proof board and painted. We bought the hearth which is a piece of slate, from a reclamation yard. Good luck!