Hi, It depends what you want to achieve. Do you want to make a feature of it.. Go Olive. Or do you want to blend it in and minimise its impact so as not draw attention to it? Regards, Gina

I'd be temped to paint it white and either put a black cast iron insert in or line out the opening with brick (love the herringbone example shown below) and put a wood burner in. http://www.chesneys.co.uk/products/accessories/interior-panels/ches-brickherin

Aw shucks guys! Thanks! I’m definitely aiming for a tiny bit more stylish. My partner brought that heinous green drainer from his house and was everso pleased with himself for solving a problem I wasn’t aware I had! And the el cheapo Wilko kettle is a placeholder til I get a boiling water tap, so I haven’t upgraded it for three years. Plus he’s got a brewing corner in the kitchen, and a 3D printing bench in the utility. I’m just glad to have his wallpapering skills! Though we had a difficult conversation when he replaced my Henry who fitted under the stairs for his Dyson which doesn’t :-)

I can recommend Mylands Marble Matt - it’s very matt and scrubbable. It has amazing reviews and my decorator said it was a dream to work with. It’s pricey - same, if not a tad more than Farrow and Ball - but you can buy testers in Brewers and then buy online from somewhere like Paint Depot that tends to be a bit cheaper and always seems to have an extra 10% off!