HI Sarah I love what you have achieved. Many congrats for embracing what you have and creating something that totally enhances the placement of the fireplace. The space looks like it was made for the placement of that perfect chair and you've done a gorgeous job with your selection and placement of art . I am moving with considerable grief from my gorgeous arts and crafts bungalow to an early1970s small house. I have to say this style of architecture in NZ wasnt exactly a highlight. But I set myself a challange to embrace the architecture and look to enhance rather than fight it . That challenge shifted me off my despair track and now I am excited and hopeful and thinking about space and colour and the amazing light pouring in (a quality of houses of this time)..and textures . i feel so cteative in new and diffetent ways...and it's so exciting. seeing what you have achieved - it is very affirming for me I love what you have created.

Here's a few more photos taken when we did the inspection. Might help get a bit more perspective :) It would definitely be a huge hassle to remove. The previous owners had a kitchen table on one side but I'd like a bit of separation and not to be sitting right next to a wall. On the other side they had a ginormous tv (which my Mom is modeling next to) I was thinking that possibly exposing the brick and putting a through fireplace on the other side might make it flow better and give it some character. But then I'm left with the question of where to have the kitchen table.

Hello th0m45, Definitely leave them soot and all if you want it to look like a fireplace but you don't want to use it.. (I'd see if you can do) but some people don't want to or can't. This doesn't mean you can't have the aesthetic... Buy a Swan basket freestanding rather than dogs.. that is big enough for the opening.. Then fill with logs.. You could have a slate hearth made to fit and then paint the chimney breast a contrasting colour so it stands out and then add a mirror. You can even add a mantle with two brackets and a large piece of wood as a very make do idea.. Here's a pic of mine as an example.. The original black and white surround was ripped out bashed up and thrown into the recess which I found (heartbreaking).. and in it's place it had a thirties thing put in...before I bought the place! So although it's a working fireplace (now) it doesn't have all of it's original features - I did though open it up and get it working again.. All I need now is a marble surround. or make that two as it's the same in the bedroom!. : ))

Hi Clara, Congratulations on buying an Edwardian property, its still on my dream list and it is my favourite architectural period besides Deco! Your Edwardian property might have some Arts & Crafts influence (not an architectural style, but an artistic movement which emphasises craftsmanship) which might be apparent on some of the external detailing of your home. The mantle could be original. The piece itself could have been done by an artist or the builder may have just "fashioned" the house in a particular way to make his houses sell (yes that used to happen back then too!). In the Edwardian times this may have been seen as "fun" or "whimsical". I would have expected to see a tiled surround and that is what is throwing me a bit, as a colourful and light surround would have given it away, especially in pink, blue or green! Looking closer at the photo, maybe there are tiles that have been painted over? The detailing and egg motif are quite simple, which again may or may not be from the era as during this time there was so much variation, (some artists and architects detailed things in either a revival or were leading the way for less detailed designs and sometimes the builders who were trying to stay on trend just got the styles wrong). I would start by meeting your neighbours and see if your home was built as an individual or as part of a development. If it is part of a development, checking the details in some of the other homes could help. The next thing I would do is see what material it is made out of. If it is pine and looks like it was "machined" then my guess is that it is not original. If it is built from solid timber and has layers of paint and or varnish underneath it could be a real gem! Personally, I think it is original as ornate fireplaces were very fashionable at the time, but other things that would give it away are any original remains in the exterior details of the building, such as any decoration (Queen Anne style) windows, doors, posts, balconies etc. Either way, I;m totally jealous. I hope this helped give you a head start on your journey! Have a great day. Jo