I helped my Dad build a fire pit in his garden, he made wooden seats to sit around the metal fire pit with old stone columns for extra seating (unfortunately you can't see the actual fire-pit as behind the stone bench). Lots of stories and fun are had around it until deep into the night. If you have the space it is a great addition to put in! Shannon

Hello Spacie1977, I think you could make this fabulous!!!.. Where boxing in is necessary I think it's a must.. Why not look at adding on to the kitchen in some way to what is in place if it's sound and solid, if needing permission it's a great way to approach the subject by letting on that you want to conserve! .. .. Possibly extend where needed and perhaps you could replace the cabinet doors?... Painted cabinetry can give a completely different feel.. With the red flooring it may be fantastic to have matt or eggshell charcoal cabinets... You could replace the hob easily enough.. Paint the rads to whatever colour that portion of the wall is.. If you removed the tile you could either panel or paint.. Perhaps take that line a little lower to about dado height.. NB you don't need to add a dado to finish the paint work.. Just make sure the lines are really straight! There are actually many ways you could approach this... Keep a few of the rustic charms... Maybe you want to paint every other floor tile to make it a chequered floor.. Easier than replacing... Maybe you want a two tone kitchen... Looks brilliant and everything can be treated including tall cabinets... Brass cup handles and other fantastic fittings can take a boring cupboard and make it wonderful.. Matt paint or an eggshell. Perhaps half and half... Think Plain English! Or deVOL Also consider 1 colour as this can also have a striking effect on a kitchen... Rub the worktop with fine wire wool and then sand lightly and oil... Paint the french doors to stand out... Here's a few pics for inspiration to illustrate a few suggestions I made... Also consider window frames, skirting and all other woodwork which can be bold and exciting.. They don't have to be white.. The other things are accessories... Piles of wooden chopping boards.. Shiny brassy taps... How you display your crockery... All these things can add warmth and finish : ))

Good luck with the build. What a nightmarish time you've been through with the planning. It is so difficult to deal with local conservation officers at times. I had one tell me that I had to specify steel rooflights for a project in Liverpool, which is an area that is almost entirely considered a marine environment. On the home page for each of the 3 rooflight companies this conservation officer told me I had to specify it said very prominently that their products were not suitable for a marine environment! I told the officer that we would use them as long as the council would guarantee the product as the manufacturers would not in this area. They grudgingly accepted that we could use a conservation velux rooflight. They then tried to insist on various other details related to the rooflights, which I argued against on the grounds of health and safety and they had to back down. Heritage architecture is tricky and a minefield of personal preferences and subjective decisions. It definitely takes patience to get through a project on a listed building or a conservation area building, or even a building that is in the context of a listed building. Not sure why but something in me loves that challenge, which is why I specialise in these types of buildings!

The room is large so you should have room for a chair plus it's impossible to socialise all sat in a straight line! I think I'd go for something antique for the sideboard. I was looking at mid century ones and most are pretty large. I came across this cocktail cabinet which I think is really nice and a steal? I'd put a light chair in front of the cabinet (for easy access) angled towards the sofa , an Acapulco chair would work and you can pick them up really cheaply, this one is from superstudio. I'd probably use an ivory sheepskin on it though which is beyond my poor photoshopping skills, dunelm do one. I'd probably go for a shade of blue for the chairs, this one is cult furniture but unsure of your budget so have included another link. Eames chairs would also work. I'd go for a beni ourain rug, I've used any old one to photoshop in but there are loads around. if you wanted to splurge there are genuine ones on eBay etc (they should be an investment plus they would with a lot of styles for the future) or try places like Benuta or Very for a replica. i forgot to ask if the curtains were staying? I'd repeat the brass for a floor lamp and I'd have a look in antique shops, eBay etc for some mid century ceramics just to personalise it and add a bit more character although the room is Lovely! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Mid-Century-Teak-Cocktail-Drinks-Cabinet-Sideboard/232962028633?hash=item363d9e7459:g:ci4AAOSw6-Nbv2im https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x-Design-Chairs-Retro-Seat-Fabric-Dining-Table-Chair-Set-Backrest-Dark-Blue/131753072895?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D42c4bcb3b40c4b088514be370eb5f652%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D232962028633%26itm%3D131753072895&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Aba916a75-cd80-11e8-b62a-74dbd1801b0c%7Cparentrq%3A645147a51660add898f3fb07ffecdaaa%7Ciid%3A1#rwid