Yes, sorry, they are far too high. It will look much better if they are brought down to be reading lights either side of the headboard. Bedside lamps and keeping them where they are will look weird. Did you specify the height to the electrician? If so, he may move them for you for no extra cost. Do you need any other electrical work doing? If so, he might be amenable to negotiating if you didn't specify the height. Even though you've just painted, and it will be a pain and frustrating to move them, it will be worth it on the end. That's my opinion anyway. Especially if this is to be your sanctuary.

I inherited an electric AGA 6 years ago and got rid of it last summer. Replaced it with a LaCanche. Best decision I have ever made. Could not cope with how dirty the top of the Aga looked. Even if you wiped it down after every use, as it is hot most of day it attracts dust! So constantly looked dusty! The heat from AGA attracted dust in whole kitchen - I have black granite work tops so they constantly looked dusty as well! Drove me mad! It did keep kitchen warm, but only the kitchen. Never had to put underfloor heating on - obviously now have to having got rid of AGA. I only had AGA (with electric module attached - which I found too long to pre heat so never used it) - so AGA was on all year round. This made kitchen unbearable in summer. Can't say I have noticed that much difference in saving on running costs of AGA compared with having to put heating on. Think they equal each other out. I also didn't like the way AGA cooked at times. You could never properly get timings right when cooking because you can not control heat. If you are cooking big meal or even roast, and if you use the plates for too long this takes heat out of ovens and food takes longer to cook. It was hit and miss when dinner would be ready! . I knew I would miss simmer oven in AGA for slow cooking etc but my LaCanche has a simmer oven. I would never ever have an AGA again. I think there are far better options out there.

I think what is blocking your ideas is the issue that any shelves built into these alcoves will be sat in the middle of a wall and usually this type of alcove would extend to the corner. Because of this issue I think that you should either:- Block up the alcoves and so you only have to find a fireplace that you like. Cover the alcoves with doors that looks like the wall and have invisible touch catches. Build in the alcoves but run skirting and coving in front of the space so that you can read the main room. Knock out the chimney brickwork so that your log burner is sat in the middle of a wider space. Treat the whole of the recessed space as one and run a hearth across all of it and give the walls in the recesses and across the chimney the same treatment for uniformity.

We are mid renovation in a challenging time for everyone and are hoping to fit electric blackout blinds to a number of our bedroom windows and a normal electric blind to a living room. Does anyone have any experience/recommendations on brands, mains vs rechargeable battery, positioning of electric cable if using mains etc. please? Our difficulty is not being able to see anything and many suppliers not being open to talk to. All windows are approximately 2300 mm wide. Any advice and guidance would be appreciated, as we need to say where we want electric, if needed now. Thank you