I dearly love a wood fire. But after heating our house with wood for nine years, back in the eighties, we were cured of ever actually having a wood fireplace again. Still miss it sometimes, but I don't miss the ashes, bark, bugs, smoke etc. Guess I'm getting old.

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a_m_b_a Firstly, I would start with the cheapest option. Give the fireplace a lick of paint. You can do this yourself at a minimal cost and this may give you the look you're after. If it doesn't, then you haven't wasted a lot of money on cladding, render or anything else you may be thinking of. Secondly, don't touch the pelmets. Paint them yes so they don't stand out as much, but pelmets are there for more than just hiding curtain rods. They actually help circulate the air in the room as well as help minimise heat loss. If they aren't a sealed pelmet, I would look at sealing them. Also get rid of the blinds ans install some heavy curtains. This will also stop heat loss through your window. Other than those two things, have a look at some of the images on Houzz to give you an idea of what you can do. The window seat is a fantastic idea and I would definitely put one in. Most of all have fun with it. Don't be scared to try something different. Whatever you do, can always be changed if you don't like it. I know this isn't everyone's taste, but I would possibly go with a bright coloured paint as well. Make it a focal point of the room, instead of just a heating element. Going a bright orange or lime green would really set it off. Enjoy... Giuliano green design & consulting

Ah, I wouldn't think so. Photo B is the external side of the chimney, which would have originally been outside the house (the external wall). So i'm guessing your living room was added onto the house at a later stage. So it was never designed to be a double sided fireplace, like some are. And yes, it is a structural part of the chimney. By the way, your bedroom fireplace is a beautiful original mantle, I wouldn't touch it.