Stanislas Piechaczek A wood heater with a fan built into a chimney breast is a great addition to a room and makes a great focal point. Work out the m2 of the space you need to heat to make sure you choose the right one for the job. Some options have a zero clearance firebox meaning you can frame up next to the heater. Check the specs to see what the options are flues. Here are a couple of options http://www.pivotstove.com.au/catalogue/wood/inbuilt-zero-clearance-wood depending on floorplan and budget, there are double sided wood burners from Axis You can plan to have built in joinery as part of the fireplace area to complete the feature. Best wishes

buying wood cost us at least twice the price of gas just for space heating and then we had to transport and find undercover space (away from the house because of the risk of white ants) for a pile about 2m x 2m for the season and then regularly clean out the flue and the heater but it depends on your wood supply and if you have access to natural gas or LPG.. Gas heaters and wood heaters seem to have a similar price tag but in a cold climate if i had the time to look after a wood heater i would choose the most efficient wood burning combustion stove for cooking, hot water and heating and have an electric stove, gas log fire and solar hot water and electricity to subsidise the power bills when i can't be bothered with wood or supply is interrupted...enjoy your new home

what can you see looking back at the house from the courtyard and the undercover area? what rooms overlook these areas? will the entertaining area be used by crowds or smaller groups? do you need to walk through these areas to the pool? what size pizza oven and barbq are you planning? what do you use the undercover area for now? what is the size of the undercover area? have you consider an outdoor kitchen in the undercover area with small table for everyday and a big dining table with market umbrella in the paved area and the fireplace with seating area at the far end of the courtyard

The free-standing wood-burning stove is an option for repurposing the existing fireplace. Just be sure to have chimney swept prior to any flue installation. An installer will likely request this. It is for fire safety and it makes their job easier. Other option would be to have gas plumbed to the location and a gas insert fireplace. It really is a matter of preference. Obviously, burning wood is a bit messier and does, over time, leave a smoke residue on walls which just means more maintenance involved. As you mentioned a preference for lighter timber flooring, you could take a look at the various oaks available.