How would you decorate this fireplace?

[RosiePosiePuddingPie]

Ideally I'd like to change the wallpaper and repaint the mantle to a neutral colour, but for now, what could I do to spruce up the empty space? Fireplace isn't in use, but certainly needs dusting!

Stack of wood? Silk flowers? Home decor is not my forte.

if you can get a heap of pine cones (maybe on sale as christmas decor) then that can look good.

I've got glass lanterns in various sizes next to mine and I use LED flameless candles in them, creates a lovely warm glow!

Kind of like this but I have a white fireplace and grey wall behind.....

I'd paint the red inner bit of the fireplace a matt black as well.
I like DavidGandy's ideas of lanterns^

Yes to the matte black! Much better than red. Maybe the wall should be grey? That seems to be the fashion...?

I love the lanterns. :)

Pinecones - maybe at a craft shop?

YY to changing the red to matt black. Then cut a sheet of heavy ply to cover the void space entirely. Fix on disks / wedges of cut round and split logs cut to cover it entirely. You can then fix this over the void space (I'll try and find a pic) If you edge the void with draught excluder tape then it'll have the added advantage of stopping any cold draughts coming down the chimney.

I like it. Will b&q have all the bits, do you think?

Should do - they'll usually cut ply to size for you as well if you have the measurements. If they don't have logs / fireawood the local petrol station should. Another tip is to paint the ply dark grey before fixing on the logs, it makes the small gaps less noticeable / more natural looking.

Hope it goes well!

Thanks for all the tips! I'm crafty but not DIY-y if that makes sense, so I'll have to do some more research and gear myself up for it, but I think I could cope. :)

I would strip the red bits back to black or paint with black stove paint.

I like when people fill the fireplace basket with logs and fairy lights.

Yes to the matte back paint. We have just put in a black wood burning stove with a wooden mantel and white surround. We got a colour match to F&B Clunch for a lovely creamy neutral colour for the wall. I love it.

Def agree with matt black.if you are planning to use it again in the future you can buy special heat safe paints.
Personally I would go for anything other than silk flowers, candles or lanterns are pretty.

Pine ones. If you have a Dobbies near you they might still be selling packs of pine ones and they have esential oils on so smell cinnamon,orange, cloves type smell. Would be lovely with a lantern next to them

Not pine cones or silk flowers!

Logs would look best I think. Agree with the black suggestion

I don’t like like gs as spiders live in them😱
I would definitely paint the red black.
My fireplace has 2 brass gun shell castings that have been molded into tall vases, picture frames, candles and tart burner and a large Christmas cactus in a pot. The plant is swapped out for fresh flowers if and when I have them.
I would definitely get rid of that wall paper but I am sick to death of grey so would probably go for something with just a hint of colour like jasmine white or blossom white from dulux.

gs = logs

OP was asking where to get pine cones frank

David I like the look of that. The lanterns are lovely but I couldn't fit them on mine as I have a big basket of logs and a brass coal bucket as our multi fuel is on all the time as it is our only form of central heating and hot water. Blanket of snow outside so need it on. In summer I sometimes change it.

You could look for a firescreen (lots second hand these days from auctions or junk shops). Put a new picture/off cut of fabric in the screen then, assuming it is a great pic, paint the fireplace to match. Other option is a large plate (possibly from online) which sits on a plate holder in the fireplace and then paint surround a matching or contrasting colour. You could even get a plate /tray and paint it to the colour you want. Then wallpaper that tones in.