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

Can't see the room layout, but if you keep it, it could be a nook for a sofa or chairs by the fire on a cold night, with a rug in front. Definitely have a mirror on the mantle. Think about walls and rooflines before you do anything. Or if you've got lots of cash to splash, take it out as it may serve no purpose with a heatpump in place. Replace roof tiles, internal brickwork.........you see what I mean, just saying......

Thanks for the input! do you think that subway or 6x6 tiles would be better in the shower? Im not sure why but i was thinking that the 6x6 might be more consistent with the style of the basin. Dark blue or light blue for the accent tile in niche? Its a VERY small bathroom which was why I was leaning towards white floor. Trying to make it feel bigger. But maybe thats an error. This is the floor tile that I was considering. Too busy? I have to admit I like the dark blue tile of the last photo that Dreamer posted alot but was worried that a dark color would not work in a small space.

Thanks for this Caroline. I talked to a tiler last week and he argued that you could not clean the tiles without fracturing and spider-webbing the surfaces, so I probably have to find a different way to use them. A pity! Hilary