My clever daughter has re-vamped our rather grotty fireplace.  Last week it had yellow tiles and a fake-looking marble surround.  Now...at minimum cost it has been totally transformed.  Already it has given the room a different feel.  Eventually we plan to pull the carpet up and expose the wooden floorboards underneath.  We dream of a log fire - will it be too much work, smelly etc. ?  But, oh! ..... the gorgeous smells and sensation of a real fire.  Today we call the chimney sweep in to check the state of the chimney ..  and we'll go from there.  We are also going over to a garden centre to plan our garden.  Have a good day!