This sounds like a tricky little project. If you haven't already, perhaps it may be worth considering an electric heated towel rail, that way you need not worry about pipework and plumbing. We have a selection here - http://www.bestheating.com/heated-towel-rails/electric-heated-towel-rails.html As for the material to affix it to, that will of course depend upon the size of HTR you go for, but many HTRs are quite lightweight without compromising on build quality. For more info on HTR installation please contact info@bestheating.com - our trade team will be able to tell you what materials are best. Thanks, the BestHeating team.

Thank you again for all these thoughts. The windows used to have Roman blinds with a pair of dress curtains framing the door. I think we'll probably do the same again. As to the other wall for a rad, certainly something to think about. At the moment it's designated has having a console table as its where the phone/broadband services are. The wall above will have a wall light, mirror and the central heating stat. It's the only wall for a table. I do like the grey/pale gold colour scheme with a bit of teal. We also need to recarpet, recurtain and decorate the dining room so I'm thinking about running the same carpet as the hall into the dining room and dialling up the furnishings in the dining room too echo the hall colour scheme. We've got a very traditional light fitting in there and Victorian-style mahogany furniture which can't be changed but could be reupholstered. The jury is still out on the rads I'm afraid. I agree it would look very busy on that wall. Oddly, although it's the front door of the house it's rarely used as 99% of visitors come in the side door of the house into the utility room. What's that all about?

Hi Colourhappy, it is Purbeck Stone, which was chosen by our super interior designer (Gina from Create Perfect on here). She's teamed it with shadow white on the ceiling and Wimborne White on the woodwork. The base of the fireplace is in Ammonite. We think it looks beautiful- such a warm and contemporary grey. Excuse the state of the floorboards- they need a good clean as are covered in dust from all the rubbing down of the paintwork but here's another couple of pics now the second coat is on. There will also be a large rug under the sofas to break up the brown of floorboards and the sofas Just waiting to put up our new radiators and Best Heating yes of course I'll share some pics once the radiators go up tomorrow!

A meeting half way often saves a marriage. So, I propose leaving the covers off, but installing shelves above some, so that the items above detract from the radiators below. Also there are a number of skirting radiators (long and skinny) that can fit along the floor, so making this a no mess solution. There are also a number of amazing modernist styles that look like wall sculptures rather than radiators, so would look amazing displayed in the centre of the wall, rather than below and out of sight. These are options that instead of spending on a radiator cover, you may want to spend the same on replacing an ugly radiator with a more aesthetically pleasing one. There is something to be said about something that is ugly and gets covered. Why not chuck it out instead?