That shade of red is not the best, indeed; you could find a darker one, if you still want red. However, personally, I'd go with black. You can do the metal frame in the same paint or choose a glossy one for a bit of contrast. You could also paint the inside - either in black, so it's all the same or in white, to match the rest of the room. Some chose to do the bricks in white and the inside in black: Grey can work too: Or maybe green... Good luck!

Hi mv5869 Thanks for taking the time to offer your suggestions. As it happens I have replaced the fireplace. I am very grateful for all the suggestions people made and they gave me lots of food for thought. I was going to post a photo to show everyone who commented the "after" pictures but was waiting for it to be completely finished so you could see the full effect. I seriously considered a reclaimed Victorian surround and insert but in the end I decided it just wasn't what I wanted. I called in a local specialist and he built me a fireplace with a Bath stone surround and black slate slips and hearth. We in put a gas insert fire. I absolutely love it. The natural materials are gorgeous and in my opinion the design is contemporary but classic. I can turn the fire on when I get in from work (usually late) and I really enjoy the fire every day at the moment. It wasn't a cheap solution but after years of fretting about this I have exactly what I wanted. I will try and add a link to the specialist in a minute. As you can see I took up the carpet and sanded down and varnished the original boards. A few boards needed replacing but a local reclamation yard was able to supply reclaimed boards. The pine came up quite bright but I like it! I also had bookshelves built in on the right and painted white. Thanks so much for suggesting this it looks amazing. I am in the process of reinstating some of my possessions but trying to be selective about what I put back. It just takes time to sort it all out. I went for what I thought was a neutral colour on the walls but it turned out to have a slight orangey tint. I am happy with it. The new sofas are orange so I haven't lost my strong colours altogether! there will be a rug as well so when it is all in place I will post another picture of the finished effect. Tim Davis Stone and Fire

I'd definitely go for installing a simpler Edwardian reclaimed fireplace. You can find those on ebay or in reclamation yards.. but avoid one with lots of fussy detail. I'd then sand it and paint it a dull pewter (or sand) colour personally. See Marston and Langinger paints - they're lovely. OR use a duller silver paint spray (found in Car accessory shops) as you obviously like the chromed mirror.. which might go on another wall to balance out. I added an Edwardian fireplace to my blocked up chimney breast (so much healthier for the chimney too) and I simply couldn't believe the difference it made to the vibe of the room. It almost said 'OH! Thank you!' to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and immediately felt authentic again. Tip! If you can't find one that has a lower ash tray bit, just slot in a piece of ply (as your carpet is beige) under the grate to provide a sense of floor continuity. I used a grey engineered wood tile in my room and it works brilliantly.

I'm not a fan of your stoovee mann's loookk. Thhe ranngge iis probably right iif iit was a kitcchenn,, oottheerwise a ccast iironn iinseet wiith a woood or slatte suurrround.. Havve you loookedd att insert sttovvees? Sorryy for ttypinngg likee a snakke,, thhe hhouz weebbsiitee hhas a reallllyy wweiirrdd glliittchh on mmyy compuutterr..