Many thanks for the advice !! We decided to do just that , had a little bit of disaster along the way as the bricks are so old !! It's fine though luckily husband is in the right job to sort it out but it's just a lot more work and cost to fix but at least it if will be done ...... We Won't be able to use for open fire but we are lucky to have other fireplaces and a log burner in the house . We will create a large opening with some brick exposed , put back the sleeper , will use for decoration or something ! Fingers crossed will look great !! I have posted a photo of the recent mess ! rooms

Hello ! Re 1. Changing to window... I agree - perhaps a window seat might work well there ?! Re 2. I wouldn't remove the door - but perhaps consider replacing the wall with a crittal style glass divider and opening, if it is compliant with what's needed for fire regs ( as can't see how many floors you have in this building !) but agree that improving the sight lines from the front door would be a bonus! Re 3. That's probably very similar to how I would do it initially - they can be zoned so not all on at once ! Pendants over island might be nice - but again depends on what's going in the island - lighting really needs to be designed at the same time as detailed kitchen design ! Re 4. I think the utility needs to be sub divided so that you can gain access to the study without wandering past (dirty) laundry - so have left half as boot room / en route to/from car things - and route through to study - and have laundry on right half . Put laundry appliances on right outside wall so sound transference lessened in study and tumble dryer can be vented. I would maybe consider reposition the fireplace in kitchen so it's central to space left for dining - rather central to whole room, but again that's dependent on the finished kitchen design, which should be designed to suit your family and routines etc - not just to suit the room shape ! Hope that helps a little - drop us a line if you are interested in a freelance concept planning service - as that's what we do ! Working with you to get the design just right - So you can then shop around with ease, and compare like for like. Yours is the sort of 'whole ground floor project' we often undertake - we don't 'just' design kitchens !

Yes most definitely - they give off a tremendous amount of heat and they are super efficient as well as being really realistic to look at without the mess of a real fire. . . We sell a lot of these fires at our Showroom in Coventry. If you'd like to see the range of NEW ExDisplay fires and stoves we have why not take a look at our Facebook Album https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2003425699749279&type=1&l=c75abdffe0 or give us a ring on 024 7693 5212 to discuss your needs - we will be only too pleased to give you help and advice.

@Create Perfect - thank you so much for your reply. We have thought about using it for an oven, however we are quite tall people & dont like the thought of bending down to our oven (and we do cook quite a lot!) It's also not quite wide enough for an aga or similar style oven, which is what it seems most suited to!  I absolutely love the project you've just completed in the Cotswolds, congratulations, it looks stunning! It helps me see that this current mess can be turned into something picture perfect!  Thanks again for your help!