In removing so many internal walls I would suggest you get a professional to check the roof structure to see which walls are load bearing before getting too far down the track. If the walls that you are removing are from floor to ceiling then you should allow for new flooring, and a new ceiling so these elements don't look patched. Apart from these concenrns my only issue is the use of a cavity slider, they are not great in keeping the heat in or out, and can be draghty due to the air gap you need right around the door. I would suggest a pair of hinged, glazed, french doors will do a better job in controlling draughts (and noise), and also allow you to see through to the backyard even when the doors are closed. Make sure that you get your designer/draftsperson to draw all of your furniture into your plans at the correct scale so that you can see that it all fits, and works, and that there is enough circulation around. This is so crucial to get right in smaller homes. Best of luck with your renovation, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Here is a photo of our distinctly unstyled fireplace. I move the plant and flowers off the mantel when we light the fire. It’s a different style to yours but all painted white. When I redo it, now the kids have stopped drawing on it, I’ll take the mantel back to wood. It did lighten the mood of the room but in the same white paint it lacks something. It you can afford it, do it. I’d recommend a closed wood box of you can get one to fit. Ours came with the house. It’s about 15 years old. No troubles at all (except the weekend a magpie fell down and gave child heart attack when it tap tap tapped to ask to get out) We have the chimney swept once a year. . It is amazing in winter. Or on a cold Mother’s Day.

haha!!!! Siri - you can have your Eiffel tower angel... give me the beach any day :) Nic - perhaps some driftwood, shells and a jar of sand might help bring the beach to you - just don't knock your sand flying or you'll literally be able to crank up your fireplace and lie down on your sand to sunbake lol.

Hi Georgia, The brick is quite dominant. You could paint out the 2 small side walls to match the rest of the walls in the room. The main fire place you could do the flooring; up to the mantel height you could either leave the brick as is as maybe white wash it to make it less dark, or you can clad it with a tile of stone. Replace the mantle timber wish something that is the full width of the fire place so that it creates a separation point. Paint the brick above the mantle either the same colour as the rest of the room or something complementary. There is always the option of plasterboard so you don't have as much texture visible. Let me know if you need more help. MKG