love this fireplace. A mantel would really distract from its elegance. Yes, absolutely do not let the painting rest on the surround. the width of the one already there is better proportioned than the one on the left. the desk is beautiful but needs to echo the fireplace by placing a taller lamp on its left, where the poinsetta is. Drop the painting above it, lower, & gradually add two more paintings above, (just play!) so you have 3 which will echo the line of the fireplace. The arrangement within the fireplace needs to reference the lovely stone & I would find a simple large glass jar & fill with tall cow parsley, grasses or anything country & natural in season. Tall lilies if you must. Do not forget the power & softness of foliage... Go for a walk & find an interesting piece of bark or stone to put to the left of the tall Glass jar or both to sustain the always decorate in 3's rule! (Find some greenery while you are at it!). Above all do not ruin the simple beauty of your room..I envy you your fireplace, a few easy tweeks & you are there!! you could do it today!

Long story but in a nutshell we are just starting an extension but have an 11,000 volt electrical cable running very close, if not under where it is going to be built. Has anyone had experience of this? Have quite a few questions! Currently trying to liaise with UK power network about this but they are hard to contact. Is there a certain distance foundations need to be from cable? Can we duct it? Any idea of cost if we have to move it? Thanks!

Hi Gillian do you like the colour of the wall as it is at the moment? Personally I think the colour of the wall is fine, I wouldn't be inclined to paint it a different colour as a feature wall nor would I paint it a darker colour as I think this will make the wall feel like it's crashing down on top of you! Rather than painting the wall would you look at changing the wall lights to something bigger that make more of a statement? I would also be looking at installing shutters/Venetian blinds/pleated blinds on the lower windows and the door. Do you have a photo of the right hand side-I wondered if there is room for a window seat there or a large potted plant to break up the wall area.

I’ve just had the same issue and I opted to get all walls plastered then sanded down to give completely smooth walls. They were then painted and the finish was excellent. I paid for tradesmen to do all of this as I wouldn’t have achieved such a quality finish.