Hello th0m45, Definitely leave them soot and all if you want it to look like a fireplace but you don't want to use it.. (I'd see if you can do) but some people don't want to or can't. This doesn't mean you can't have the aesthetic... Buy a Swan basket freestanding rather than dogs.. that is big enough for the opening.. Then fill with logs.. You could have a slate hearth made to fit and then paint the chimney breast a contrasting colour so it stands out and then add a mirror. You can even add a mantle with two brackets and a large piece of wood as a very make do idea.. Here's a pic of mine as an example.. The original black and white surround was ripped out bashed up and thrown into the recess which I found (heartbreaking).. and in it's place it had a thirties thing put in...before I bought the place! So although it's a working fireplace (now) it doesn't have all of it's original features - I did though open it up and get it working again.. All I need now is a marble surround. or make that two as it's the same in the bedroom!. : ))

I would highlight two features; firstly, two adjustable low voltage down-lights in the ceiling to highlight the picture, secondly, two low voltage floor adjustable up-lights to accentuate the columns of the fireplace. Best regards, Mike Lander, Director, Ensoul

When we extended our house last year with a large fireplace we wanted a multi fuel burning stove. However the regulations regarding flue and chimney meant the neighbours would have been subjected (and may have objected) to this eyesore, even if at the back of the house. We settled for a Gas version. The stove itself (Huntington) looks exactly the same as the multi fuel version. However, we are really delighted with it. The flame looks really genuine and as others have stated there is no cleaning out and we have instant heat and sometimes so much output that we no longer have to turn on the central heating in the lower rooms! A real success. (Awaiting our first gas bill however).

I'm not quite sure what kind of lights you're looking for, but this bumps your question to the top of the list again :-)