I love the option to work in a private office while still feeling connected to the larger open plan space. And who doesn't want a huge blackboard to creatively brainstorm?

Old post but thought I'd update. We have finally moved into our forever home and on occasions, obviously in winter, we still have crying window (sob). We have the wet windows on the south side of the home which is the shady side so not unexpected but also on the north side where we still get lovely warm winter sunlight streaming in and I still do have all my windows slightly cracked open and it does help. Incidentally I have glass bricks in our bathroom on the south side and there is no condensation on this window at all. Our home has insulation in both the exterior and interior walls and we have double insulation in our roof, so factor 7 unlike the usual factor 3.5 not that it probably has any bearing on the moisture issue. We have a 1.8mtr wide veranda surrounding the entire home so the windows are some what protected from the elements but when the temperature gets fairly low and can be almost zero in winter, it seems impossible to prevent this crying window sindrome but I can live with the fact it is fairly easy and quick to remove with a Karcher window vac now, brilliant little machine at $99 and it only takes a few minutes. We have an exhaust fan in both bathrooms that is vented outside so the moist air does not go into the roof space and in fact even my rangehood ducting is vented outside too!! We even had condensation in the roof cavity as well to the point of having a rainforest up there but since fitting another whirlie into the roof making it three in total now, it appears to have almost entirely eradicated that problem. I can say catagorically now that crying windows are a very difficult problem to eradicate in very cold climates where obviously the inside of the home being heated at night is going to create the perfect conditions for the condensation to settle with the inside being far wamer than the outside and there in lies the problem which canot be changed. I have blinds and curtains that I close ever day before dark but it makes no difference. As I have aluminium windows and doors throughout, so no timber anywhere, it isn't such an issue for damage but annoying none the less but life goes on and I do so love my beautiful new home!!

Do you plan on using it for a heat source, or is it purely aesthetic? If it's a serious heat source, then I'd consider retrofitting an enclosed Jetmaster slow combustion or gas fire. Slow combustion fires are always preferable to open fires like you have- they slow the wood burn and direct the heat into the room, not up the chimney. Check out what the local wood supply and costs are first. If it's aesthetic, may gets run when you entertain. I'd get some black fireplace paint- paint the grate and the inner fire box black. I'd change the hearth- make it bigger, will prevent sparks and scorch marks. Like some others have suggested, keep the slate- change the mantel. Lots of DIY to give a go there!

Hi Jo! Megan from Bluethumb Online Art Gallery here. I agree with scottevie and oklouise that an artwork would be a great option to finish off the fireplace. I love the idea of a concrete render, that will look stunning! I think an abstract piece would look great with the modern lines of the structure, so I've compiled a few suggestions from Bluethumb's artists that I think would look great. Of course, these are just an idea, so let us know if we can help further. My choice would be this intriguing piece by NSW-based artist, Brendan Kelly. I've roughly mocked it up for you, based on a estimate of the actual size of your fireplace. https://bluethumb.com.au/brendan-kelly/Artwork/graze-brendan-kelly Some abstract options that would work wonderfully: https://bluethumb.com.au/dinah-wakefield/Artwork/traces-of-light https://bluethumb.com.au/rachael-higby/Artwork/earth-and-wind https://bluethumb.com.au/susie-monte/Artwork/clementine-abstract-painting-by-susie-monte https://bluethumb.com.au/clairbremner/Artwork/lingering-light-abstract-expressionist-landscape-painting-by-clair-bremner https://bluethumb.com.au/suebannisterartist/Artwork/coral-sky-s-2 Some alternatives to abstracts: https://bluethumb.com.au/johngraham/Artwork/eroded-landscape https://bluethumb.com.au/silvia-rubboli-golf/Artwork/close-encounter-silvia-rubboli-golf https://bluethumb.com.au/elizabeth-wojciak/Artwork/the-blue-bath Once again, let us know if we can help further :)