The file on our master bedroom fireplace was finished last week.  Other than the decorative tile pattern, do you notice anything strange about the fireplace?

If the answer is no, then that is good.  When the fireplace contractors were installing the fire box, they ran into the exhaust stack from the fireplace below, which prevented them from centering this fire box.  So, without letting us know, they cut the framing and set the firebox off-center.  There are 2 1/2 inches more to the right of the fireplace opening than to the left.

We puzzled over this for some time, and finally decided to mix in a different color to create a decorative pattern, in the hope of optically hiding the difference on the sides.  From looking at it myself, it appears to be successful.