I think the picture is fine, it follows the lines of the brick pillars (it may need to to go a fraction to the right but that could be the camera angle but I cant tell if it's hung at the right height as the pic doesn't show the ceiling!)I'd go for brick slips for the hearth. In terms of ornaments you need a couple of things with some height on either side, they could match or not ( if not then get one taller than the other) but I think they need to be at least 2/3 inches higher than the bottom of the picture. I'd also centre the clock. I don't know what your style is but you could try orchids, vases or candlesticks, urns, decorative jars like a ginger jar etc. I think the rhino is too short with the picture tbh, unless you can lower the picture?

Hi Jane, There is an hg acid you can buy from tile suppliers which will clean the tiles up. If you also take one of the existing tiles with you the tile company should be able to find you a close match. This is good to refer to http://www.originalfeatures.co.uk/victorian-floor-tiles/tile-cleaning-guide It is also possible that you could replace with heat resistant marble which is treated specifically for fireplaces (does not crack with the heat) so if you're having a coal fire as a victorian house would have had it will stand the test of time. Are you planning to put a baxi coal fire back into the space? These tiles also look to have cracked due to the adhesive bed not being level, it will be important to take the existing tiles up and redo from scratch. If you confirm where you are in the country I can suggest a tile company you could visit.

How strange! I wonder why they used so much cement under it? I would remove the hearth (assuming it's been fitted around the mantel and the mantel isn't sitting on top of the hearth). You could then chisel out the cement. I personally think if you are keeping the fire, keep the hearth but lower it., you are not losing much floor space and the fireplace may look 'odd' without it.

I still love the dirty yellow colour, do you know what colour it is? The blue is very strong and it brings out the orange in the fireplace in a very contrasting way. Complementary colours exaggerate each other and if both are strong they clash, if one is more muted then they look more balanced. Analogous colour schemes look harmonious as you don't get the strong contrast of opposite colours. Its personal taste. I love the ochre and I would paint it in the alcoves as long as it worked wiht the carpet. Probably not what you wanted to hear...