Hi, yes they're actual flames with all the natural movement and variation you'd expect (and the volume of flames/heat output is controllable with it being gas). When the stove is set up, there are ceramic 'logs' and embers positioned (that do look very realistic) and also some stuff that looks like wire that they call Emberglow. This wiry stuff is near invisible and spread/clumped at the bottom and this causes the flames to vary and lick and dance upwards. We were worried a fake wood burner would look naff and were disappointed when we knew we couldn't have the real thing, but went to see this in action in a showroom and were impressed! It helps that the model we have also comes as a real wood burner and the cast body is identical for both.

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Ooo thanks so much for the response. I love these ideas. I prefer the soft white look of the limestone. But the Carrara marble would be more authentic to the era. So it’s tough to decide. Particularly like the last fireplace surround on your first post (the London fields house). That looks to be a Carrara marble. Do you think that option would go with our fireplace insert tiles? As the carrara has grey flecks in there. Closer up image of the tiles below - the base colour in the tiles is a dark brown. Thanks

Hi there and thanks for your reply and the drawing! I had thought of the double sided fireplace option but I’m not sure what’s going to be needed structurally to make that happen - one builder said I wouldn’t need steels but my architect has said I’d need new structural calcs… The utility is currently only 1.6 x 1.04m and there’s a boiler in the corner so it’s a bit tight, hence the suggestion to make it bigger. The other alternative would be to leave it as is and build a utility cupboard on the landing ( plenty of space to put one in but again, architect has discouraged so it’s put me off a bit)