Hello, I'm not sure how hands on/creative you are, but I've just been googling a thought I had about DIY mirror antiquing and found this link:- http://www.decoradventures.com/2013/09/how-to-antique-mirror.html So you could buy some cheap mirror tiles (or even larger pieces) and try this to save a fortune.

I love them. From genuine antique mirrors to the new antique style splashbacks or tile effect. I have a bricked up arch window at the end of my hall which I'd love to have antiqued glass cut to fit but sadly out of budget atm. I also love the antique style splashbacks similar to the award winning mowlems kitchen design (not quite so keen on the pic above) but I'm really not convinced it will work in my kitchen. I recently bought an antique dressing table which has a very aged looking mirror, looks great but you can't actually see in it properly!

We had a dark wood fire surround which we painted white using an Annie Sloan product. It was alright but looked a bit ........dull. As Minnie suggests, the coverage was not great. As we were completely refurbishing the room recently, we changed the surround using Little Green's 'Mid-Lead'. WHAT a difference it has made! We used 3 coats of traditional oil egg shell to get the finish we wanted finish we wanted. I'm so pleased we used this paint.

I've gone for an open fire. I also replaced a gas fire. The original fireplace had been ripped out but rather than replace it, I went for a raw look which I like. With an open fire lining the chimney isn't mandatory, so I saved money by not doing that. However I did have to get the chimney uncapped and loose brickwork around the top of the chimney removed ( they just made the chimney stack shorter). Unfortunately once they opened it up, it revealed a lot of collapse down inside the chimney, so the work ended up costing £1500 with scaffolding. I don't regret it though, especially because recent high winds brought down another chimney stack in the street, and mine was easily as ramshackle before the work. As for the work involved in looking after a fire, I have central heating, so I only have to chop wood when I feel like a cosy night by the fire. It doesn't throw out as much heat as a wood burner but it doesn't have to.