Since you are definitely going to have to do something with them. Do you know what is behind them?1. Long term, for both, you can just cover over the flooring when you come to re-do it and carry the skirting along. 2. For the more elaborate one you may have to take down all the moulding and trim...But in the meantime I would investigate what is behind there - it seems an awful lot of trouble to go to... do you think they had those weird fake electric heaters with moving flames etc?

Hi Malibu_tan Well I must also agree with the other four comments "the fireplace is a focal point" , all I would add to that is - man/woman has been looking at fire for many years, and it's reference to our being most likely goes back to primordial times. Fire (the moving flame) is deeply rooted in our psychic, and our relationship with safety and comfort, I would remove the heater and celebrate the fireplace. You can always put in an ethanol fire and close of the flue if required, but I would not get rid of such asset to your residence and your life. Depending a bit with the style of the house I would go as far as providing side book shelving storage, or DVD's, or your best collection of miniature spoons should miniature spoons bee your interest. Whatever you wish to display for your or your friends enjoyment. Then I would complete the lounge design around your final choice of tiles and mantle, if you are putting in a slightly better mantle than you have at present, or if you are going for a modernist look. (it all depends a bit on tastes and budget) If you are in a "period style" you could look at something like Regardless of your tastes I think you can get an ethanol insert in just about any fireplace, corny as it sounds the fireplace is "the hearth of the home" . Possibly not the response that you were perhaps seeking, and you might have a lot of reason why you want to remove it - well I would like to hear your comments. Hope this is of some help Regards Michael Manias

Hi Kel, Megan from Bluethumb online art gallery here. I agree with Ann and Quadrant Design that a feature artwork would look great on the mantelpiece. The dark grey stone would be the perfect background to offset a bright piece. With the scale of the room and fireplace, the piece needs to be large or else risk getting lost in the room. I've compiled a few suggestions around a couple of different themes for you to look at. If you're after a bold pop of colour, then these pieces from some of our most popular artists could be great: https://bluethumb.com.au/helenhelenjoynsonco/Artwork/moonlighting https://bluethumb.com.au/sacha-beverley/Artwork/i-wish-for-acceptance https://bluethumb.com.au/photography/martine-perret/artwork/la-reverie-turquoise https://bluethumb.com.au/brewman/Artwork/forest-of-colours-ron-brown Or you could harmonise with the timber beams with some earthy tones: https://bluethumb.com.au/dinah-wakefield/Artwork/moonlight-on-the-ocean I've mocked this one up for you: https://bluethumb.com.au/photography/pennyp/artwork/thalassophile-3 https://bluethumb.com.au/patricia-walsh-studio/Artwork/the-dawn-sees-a-mist https://bluethumb.com.au/martinesart/Artwork/ocean-at-midnight Let me know if you'd like any more suggestions, or any more of these works mocked up. Hope this helps! Megan

Here is a photo of our distinctly unstyled fireplace. I move the plant and flowers off the mantel when we light the fire. It’s a different style to yours but all painted white. When I redo it, now the kids have stopped drawing on it, I’ll take the mantel back to wood. It did lighten the mood of the room but in the same white paint it lacks something. It you can afford it, do it. I’d recommend a closed wood box of you can get one to fit. Ours came with the house. It’s about 15 years old. No troubles at all (except the weekend a magpie fell down and gave child heart attack when it tap tap tapped to ask to get out) We have the chimney swept once a year. . It is amazing in winter. Or on a cold Mother’s Day.