Good morning. Your builder is right, there will be a flue from downstairs running up the right hand side. You can see where the natural opening is for the fireplace which has been bricked up to accommodate the fire which was previously in situ. Obviously the fitter will try to locate the fireplace as centrally as possible on the breast wall so it looks pleasing to the eye, but in a bedroom, the fireplace would have been very plain and functional rather than decorative, so it would be normal to be sited to one side. Your fitter would usually take out the existing brickwork and then rebuild it to accommodate the next fireplace should you decide to reinstate one. View our range at Pendragon Fireplaces for further information. You've bought a 1850s Victorian Gothic cottage, embrace it for what it is. PS. Whatever you do, your builder mustn't disturb the flue from downstairs, as any leakages will result in fumes from the fire below coming into the bedroom. Each fireplace will have it's own flue and chimney, they never join together. I would advise you use a qualified 'Hetas' fitter to do your fireplaces, not a builder.

I agree with Man About the House. If you can create a structure to cover up the whole of the fireplace, not only would this provide a centralised focal point, but it would also conceal the rather dated fire surround, giving you a blank canvas to then do what you want. Let us know how you get on. Kate www.TheHomeDesignSchool.com

No. You can have panelling that goes two thirds the way up the wall topped with a shelf (like an upside down skirting board if that makes any sense). You can also have it over the panelling in line with a horizontal board. There are lots of different versions.

Another thought would be to balance it visually by adding a false display of wood stacked up in a recess. A mantel shelf could then span the entire width providing a visual divide. The upper portion could take an art piece or mirror across the section with out looking unbalanced.