By viable I mean workable, functional. A chimney sweep or a builder adept in chimneys will give you a report. Certainly enquire about a future gas fitting rather than logs if possible. I say this as a fireplace anywhere is delightful and, if downstairs, it could heat upstairs through the house, to a certain point too. If you look at the quality of the brick laying, you will see that its not meant to be a feature which is why it was rendered, but that is choice only. Certainly seal the bricks. Good luck and stay with it if you can. Everybody loves the romance of a fire.

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

For me I think your bookcase could do with a couple of extra shelves and try standing some of the books on their ends to mix it up a bit. Pull the rug out from under the table so that it sits in front of it and the bookshelf Group your silver pieces and add the lamp which is currently on the book case. Or better still replace that lamp with a tall floor standing lamp to light up the whole corner cheers

HU-624382943's comment about speaker placement is important. As far as quality listening goes (whether you like listening to music seriously or want to enjoy fantastic sound when watching movies, you want the speakers on the narrow wall (pointing towards the set of paned windows), not on a long wall. The challenge, of course, will be to get them sufficiently spaced, since you have the bookcase on the right and the cupboard (with or without doors) on the left, as well as the door to the room itself. (That door looks uncomfortably close to the cupboard doors, incidentally.) Unless you choose to suspend your directional speakers from the ceiling – which could be an option – you'll probably be limited to the width of that central section of wall, i.e. immediately to each side of the TV.