I do have a question. Why not put a (*gasp*) fireplace where the fireplace goes? If it's wood, you could always switch it to the convenience of natural gas or wood pellets. I don't think it's a liability unless it's hardly used, and there's certainly beautiful fireplaces and stoves that could fit.

I'm also confused as to why the firewall has electrical outlets on them, isn't the whole point of the wall to be fireproof?