I'm seeing two doors there, one more into the house? Sounds like you're considering a metal stand-alone type fireplace with a hood and chimney. Both are going to get hot and reflect sound and are not going to be easy to insulate with sound deadening products. Plus, being an opening to the outside the hood and chimney will let hot-warm air out when there's not a fire going, causing bigger temp changes. If you're not going to install a thermostat controlled heater, I'd suggest a wood fired heating stove. They are relatively small and put out a lot of heat. Once the door is closed on the stove, they are airtight. A friend in Colorado uses one in the winter and they work great. They use less wood and are much more managable than a fireplace. Other than that, I'd look at a couple of radiator type oil filled heaters.

Yeh will have to go with something along the lines of the cast iron stand alone. Floor has a subfloor to it (suspended up off the concrete floor under it) About 12" below. 

I have the oil filled radiators already for this year but have an abundance of wood easily accessible. I love the thought of being able to see, smell and hear a nice fire every now and then-Thats where I was wondering how others might deal with their equipment in an atmosphere like this.

Ill have to get me one of those humidity/temp gauge things to keep an eye on it once I do do something with fire.

Too much emphasis on the technicalities here.
 
You can't beat the vibe and ambience created by a welcoming open fire. 
 
Some of the timber framed structures round here have them as a central focus and they've been standing for centuries, well outlasting the many generations of musicians that have played in them and any of their gear...
 
Stoke it up, sit by the thing and start picking.
 
This place has been hosting minstrels by the fire on a Saturday before any European knew America existed, and it still does.
 

I agree with ya JB but here in Michigan we have to worry about Codes, Insurance Companies involvement, etc...

They add such a big head ache to wanting something simple like going free standing, flue pipe has to be just so so going up and sticking out, floor has to be signed off on, and on and on.

They do what ever they can to get their fingers in on our business to make more money for the city

Yeah, they're like that here too, you even have to get the colour of your own front door approved before you can paint it...lol.

Jonbouy


Yeah, they're like that here too, you even have to get the colour of your own front door approved before you can paint it...lol.

I like they keep it straight so those not well versed in construction dont buy a bad house but in small towns they see all that goes on and show up to check ya out. (Kinda like Rosco P Coletrain & Boss Hog )  I just wish Daisy would come with 'em when they do invade

oil heater might be an option.

this kind of thing:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16896101030&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA

 Man this is starting to get complicated quickly. I put in one of those gas "ventless" fireplaces. It's not in my studio though. 30,000 btu works very well for heating that room evenly.I would be very tempted to go with a split system heat pump in your situation. Not much for ambiance but great for keeping maximum space and heating the space.
 
 Last year I bought my wife one of those electric heaters with the fake fireplace in it for her bedroom. It offers electric heat at over 5000 watts and an "almost" real looking fireplace.Just plug it in and go.5000 wattts probably won't do it for you though. It has plenty of ambiance but you can still freeze your keyster off unless you are directly in front of it.

in arctic areas like this I would go with underfloor heating for even distribution.