Thanks lovelies! Yes those are speakers on the side and will go.. ;-)

Thanks for the advice! Those tiles at the base can go. I have a deep horror of brown tiles so I must paint the fireplace something.

Gas log fireplace however tacky I own is something I kind of like. Would love an aboriginal painting too - especially with a white room. I am not into an all White House - this would be the one room.

p.s. as to roman blinds, I am quite partial to the idea, but was thinking to go for plantation shutters.

plantation shutters sound great and paint the tiles black as a background for the fire but what about those lights??

Hi Tyrian, I would replace or remove the lights. If you do an image search for sconce lights you'll find a huge variety of styles and options available. If you are keen on a gas fire then go for it. As for the fireplace you could either replace the hearth with some art deco tiles and go with the existing bricks; paint the whole lot white or install faux stone over the existing bricks and tiles. Any of these finishes would work with a white or white/pastel green colour scheme although based on the info. you've shared I would suggest painting or blocking out the dark brickwork will work best for the look you're after.

1st pic, slightly different style but may help you visualise painting the brick work white (make sure you get a paint that can cope with the heat your gas fire will produce).

2nd pic, stone overlay on fireplace and hearth.

3rd pic is what we did in our bedroom where we had an existing fireplace in our 1890's Federation home that had been 'modernised' in the 1950s with some very ordinary brickwork and a plain mantle. We didn't want a working fireplace or heater in the bedroom, needed it sealed and had a limited budget.

Thank you so much all. Great photos Sammy and petapea I love the Rinnai Sapphire Masonry. Thanks for this great tip. I will see how our reno expenses pan out as this will be done toward the end as it isn't strictly necessary.

Yes I will change the lights I think. It's just very not me as I prefer an industrial or Japanese look and will try to find something at least more plain for lights.

Cheers guys, there is a lot to do, can be overwhelming. Excuse if you see lots of posts from me over the next months!

we have that wall paneling in a holiday Villa, Living room and half wall hei
ght in Bathroom and Laundry which gave access to the rear courtyard

Agree Plantation shutters in white would look beautiful, with a soft contrasting colour on the wall and update the Mantel with something with a bit more bulk. Some of the original fireplaces had been removed so large mirrors were added.

Hi 2Find! Thanks for your cohesive little selection of images. I will replace the lights for sure (though I have a pet peeve re those lights where the bulb is visible as am quite light-sensitive, preferring diffuse light).

There is no furniture in the room, we aren't living there till the reno-extension is done as it won't have a kitchen.

I would like to keep a muted pastel colour scheme throughout the entire house. Kind of a nod to the 30's. Sorry, but I can't do brown tile, it's a visceral thing!

Cheers for the lovely photos siriuskey (lovely star system). Very nice and I probably will go for a pretty simple 30's weatherboard cape cod type theme. The house is a raw looking 'ranch' style from the US, lucky we have so much lovely British weatherboard culture to draw from. I adore that hallway!

Can't Lesley! And in an all white room I really love the whiteness and unusual texture of the painted bricks.

Painted Bricks or recycled timber

Get some stone veneer installed along with a modern gas log fire. Stone veneer on fireplaces