Thanks. Oh yeah, we're definately doing other rooms ! The whole house from top to bottom eventually. This room was top priority as it's the sitting room, we wanted to put our 'stamp on the place'. We've only been moved in since the start of the year. This is the before room, taken from the Estate Agents listing: .......... And now (trying to take a pic from the same place) The conservatory is hard to change, pic taken from the Estate Agents listing: ....... And now (taken this morning) - currently has our old sofa in there until we find some conservatory furniture that doesn't look like it belongs in a 1970's old peoples home. Only change is really the addition of blinds The study pic taken from the Estate Agents listing: .......... and now it's my man cave / music room And then .............. The current kitchen is getting ripped out and a new one put in starting 30th May. There is also a dividing wall that's being taken down between the kitchen and dining room to allow for a breakfast bar and a much bigger space. Designs from the kitchen people below Oh, and the double garage is slowly taking shape into the gym: Sorry for picture overload.

I think the grate is worthy of an elegant surround if I'm honest. If that's not in budget I think I'd actually paint it black. I agree with forzaitalia it will look a lot better painted however the contrast in colour will highlight the "chunkiness" (can't think of another word ATM!). I appreciate it won't lighten the room although there are other ways of doing so and I don't suspect the fire will make a lot of difference. The one pictured (pinched from forzaitalia!) is similar to yours and I think it looks elegant

Just a thought, are you changing the colour on the chimney breast? If you are changing the colour of the chimney breast to white too, then the fire surround will look good painted white also. It gives a more contemporary look & makes the room look bigger. As the above comment, you may need to seal the stone first. You can also use a chalk based white paint like Rustoleum. You may not need to seal or prime beforehand if using chalk paint but please check before you begin! All the best!

Hi I've removed a 1930s tiled fireplace surround and fireback i just want to block it.I've removed it all and had to remove the fire back and some side bricks, i had a 10mm beam across the chimney how safe is this will it support chimney?