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.

I think it's a great addition to your fireplace and you have done a great job! I love your tall ceilings - so grand! I can't wait for the finished work! Keep us in the loop please!

I love the timber panelling, maybe with a bit of a clean it will look a bit lighter, but in any case, I love it! I actually think some lighter flooring would make the room work better - not what you were asking about I know! The current flooring being dark and matte sucks a lot of the light out of the room and also makes the timber panelling/fireplace feel heavier. Even a lighter rug (or even a fun Ikea Stockholm rug?) could make it look more crisp, fresh and stylish, whilst still giving a nod to your home's gorgeous retro features. A fresher light fitting - maybe a simple drum style?) would make it look more modern also and less busy to allow the original features to be the focus. Your existing armchair etc suit it beautifully though! The fireplace I'm not sure about - I hate to ruin original features but I'm not sure about that?! Maybe wiht the other changes done it might work much better anyway? Otherwise an interesting tile or sandstone cladding could work beautifully with the timber tones?

Hello Sophie, I think your choice of white walls & skirting boards makes the fireplace stand out more. I would also suggest the same could be said if you painted the fireplace black. There are so many colour variations of“White” & maybe a shade a little softer may help. The dilemma could be “Do you stay with the Federation fireplace or move into today’s styling”? At some stage the fireplace is going to need to be stripped back, to remove the gloss finish. It is at that point that a decision is made If the choice was mine, l would paint the fireplace a charcoal grey & possibly the wall above it. ( that might be too much,but hey worth a try) like the photo with the black chairs & dark grey fireplace someone submitted. Also instead of the two chairs being a pale colour change them for another colour dark grey, plum etc. If you wanted to be even more daring, look at a colour palette of Porters paints for another choice for the fireplace. Perhaps a professional opinion might help. These are only some suggestions. Not a criticism of any of your ideas. Paint the fireplace or just restrain it & someone will always say “Oh why didn’t you do” you know the rest!! Happy decorating!! Lor.