Looking at it, I think it's a mishmash of periods. the mantelpiece and overmantle is characteristic of a late victorian/edwardian style. We are more used to seeing these with vertical side panels of decorative ceramic tiles and a cast iron firebasket raised off the floorlevel. the actual ceramic glazed fire you have in there appears possibly to be anywhere between 20s & 50s, probably a replacement because the original burned out (assuming it's in the main living room it will have been a main source of heat for the house). So the question is, what do you love and what do you hate about it? Because it's not working for you right now. Usually edwardian fireplaces with an overmantel (and edwardian/victorian furniture in general) comes apart into sections. the tricky bit is finding which sections! But I'd imagine the entire overmantel with the mirror could be taken off leaving the mantelpiece intact, albeit with peg holes that would need filling on the top of the mantel at the back. Usually there were wooden pegs and holes for placement. If you are on a very tight budget, and assuming you don't want to keep the rather lurid carpet, simply keeping what is there, and adding a fender would work (as someone suggested above). You can get low level ones in brass that are extendable to fit relatively cheaply, or there's vintage ones that range from low level right up to having padded seats. If you intend to actually USE the fire, then it may be possible to pull up the 20th century ceramic tiles (if that's what they are) lay a screed underneath and then relay the tiles a bit higher so they are proud of the floor level. If any are broken it might be possible to relay them at the edges where they are less in the way - but at the end of the day, open fires are messy and what you really need is a slab of clean smooth hearthstone to make it easy to keep clean. Alternatively if you don't like early 20th century mashups, then you could (carefully) take out the fireplace, sell it on (someone would love it - personally I don't like the murkiness of that sort of fireplace ceramic colourwise, but I do recognise it's a nice and unusual example of the genre) and buy a replica more suited to the surround. You can get some rather nice ceramic edwardian style tiles for the sides. Have you tried to light the fire? it may be the hood is necessary if the chimney doesn't draw well. Or it could just be an aesthetic choice a previous owner made without considereing how the fire actually performs. As people have said above, you can paint it. Whatever paint you use, make sure you aren't totally knackering the wood underneath in case you want to have it stripped back to wood in future. The suggestion of hanging a picture over the oval mirror is a good one. Though I suspect with a different less instituttional carpet and the fitted cupboard gone, a judicious choice of plants or ornaments might make the whole thing recede into the room as a whole and be less 'in your face' at the end of the day, it's actually a time and labour intensive decorative heat source, so if you aren't going to have an open fire, and it's not a listed building, consider selling it and getting rid completely. It's a mishmash anyway that doesn't work so well aesthetically, though individually the separate parts of edwardian/ mid 20th century do have charm. but together? ouch you are living with some dearly departed's poor design choices! Which I suspect are not going to be so easy to marry together. Though as people have said above, painting it white is going to help a lot! My final thought is that you've got off lightly with that overmantel with a plain oval glass! When I was a kid we had an edwardian house near manchester, in what was the day nursery, behind a baize door, on teh first floor, had an overmantle with a plaster of paris insert that weighs 25kg with rather terrifying fairies playing in the moonlight as it's subject. The house was due to be demolished so we took the plaster behemoth with us. It's currently hanging in my hall and scaring all small children that pass by!!! 40 years on I still can't decide if it is actually totally hideous or so ugly that it's beautiful. Mostly though I just don't want it to fall off the wall and kill one of the cats! Here it is in all it's fugliness. Framed in the 1980s in somewhat ungracious proportions to just top off the general weirdness of it!

I think it would be a great idea to reuse the Roca sink (excellent make). My first thought was to stick with warm colours to bring everything together. How about painting the pine unit in dark chocolate? It would go well with the cream, and also with the pink floor tiles. I personally don’t like fake wood cupboards, they just look fake. I agree a wall cupboard, mirrored, would help with any clutter. I like the pink floor tiles, but I know they’re not for everyone! If you have any untiled walls you could paint them a coffee colour, again bringing the warm colours together. Here’s a few pics to picture these ideas.

With regards to opening a new entrance on the south side of the house for a balcony, this should not be a problem although of course you will need a lintel above the opening. As for the balcony it really depends on what type you are looking for, but again this should not be an issue with regards to fixing it to the structural wall. There is a system called chemical anchoring and for me the best ones available are Hilti, which are bound to be available in Croatia. Basically you have steel pins, or threaded rods, which are inserted into a drilled hole and the chemical anchor is then injected. The result is something that will never move as the chemical bonds to the stone, concrete, etc. Care obviously has to be taken as to the structure to support the balcony, however a structural engineer can do this very easily for you. As to your energy situation this depends upon your budget. Solar is the obvious one and dependent upon your roof type and the direction that the house is standing, then these can be mounted on the roof. You could also consider a small wind turbine but of course this depends upon the wind availability and any local regulations. The other option is geothermal; this is a great option as it can be used to provide your heating and cooling needs however the initial capital cost can be high. There are however major advances in this technology and the costs are a lot less these days than they were. Have a look at google for some sites which may help you with budgeting. Other options to consider are solar panels which are for your heated water. Also consider whether or not you can drill a well for your water supply and also have water catching butts on you downwater pipes from the gutters. This water supply will be especially useful in the summer for watering your garden. I envy you your project as this looks like a very exciting one. Let me know if you need an independent project manager... lol :-)

I understand that you have concerns about the size and appearance of your black sideboard, which you plan to use as a TV unit. While you are considering shortening the legs to adjust the height, you are unsure if it still looks too big and bulky for the space. Let's explore some recent trends in living room interior design to address these concerns. Firstly, it's important to consider proportion and balance within the room. Recent trends in living room design emphasize a cohesive and harmonious look. While your sideboard may have a beautiful design and detailing, it's essential to ensure that it complements the overall aesthetic of the space. This can be achieved by creating a sense of unity through colour coordination and cohesive furniture choices. Regarding the sofa, it appears to differ in style and colour from the black sideboard. To establish a more unified look, you may want to consider selecting a sofa that complements the design and colour scheme of the sideboard. Recent trends often incorporate matching or coordinated furniture sets to create a cohesive and visually appealing living room. In addition to furniture selection, colour coordination and texture of walls is crucial in living room design. While your black sideboard can create a bold statement, it's essential to ensure that the colour scheme of the room works harmoniously with it. Recent trends often focus on neutral colour palettes, allowing furniture and decorative elements to stand out while maintaining a sense of balance. Consider incorporating complementary colours or shades that enhance the overall aesthetic of the space. Moreover, your floor seems to be a standout feature of the room. Recent trends often highlight the use of visually striking flooring materials and patterns to create a focal point. You can leverage this trend by selecting furniture and decor that complement the floor's colour and style. By doing so, you can create a cohesive and visually pleasing living room design. In summary, while your black sideboard has an appealing design, it's crucial to consider recent trends in living room interior design to create a cohesive and balanced space. Focus on selecting furniture that matches in style and colour, ensuring a harmonious look throughout the room. Incorporate a colour scheme that complements the sideboard while enhancing the overall aesthetic. Finally, leverage the visual impact of your fantastic floor by coordinating other elements in the room accordingly. I hope these insights help you in making the best design decisions for your living room. If you have any further questions or require more assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. WM Projects | Design | Construct