What would you put here?

[FusionChefGeoff]

House / my style is vintage, mismatch mainly Victorian to 1930s ish. Bedroom is neutral, wood, sludge green, bit of gold, navy floral.

I'm thinking 2 or 3 lovely house plants? Anyone got any ideas as to what shapes would look good?

Or is there a 'something else' I don't even know about that might look good??

Did you mean to attach a picture. I have no idea what you are asking.

Woops yes

Fill the fireplace opening with neatly stacked logs and put lots of candles on the hearth.

Oh yes that's a nice idea!! Will pull out some nice ones from our next bags

Re. Houseplants, there’s lots of plants with interesting shapes that would look good there. It just depends on what you like.

I’d go for plants that are relatively compact. Zz-plants and snake plants are nice “architectural” plants that are really easy to look after. Things like Peace lilies or Boston ferns would give a much softer look. I have a mistletoe cactus in my fireplace. It’s a weird looking thing, but somehow it works 😂

The problem I have with any plants I've tried is a) they don't get much light and b) the chimney isn't sealed / capped whatever the term is and so when it's windy shit loads of dusty crap comes down and covers the soil / leaves which I think contributes to their demise.

I might try some fairy lights around it...

A Zz-plant would survive those conditions. They can even survive in complete darkness for a few months. So if you wanted to go down the plant route, it’s possible if you choose wisely!

I would stick with a 1930’s theme.
A large 1930s style mirror above then decorate with 1930s glass vases and figures.
If you are not going to use the fireplace I would put a same period style screen in front
Like www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-Vintage-Embroidered-Oak-Fire-Screen/254752821137?hash=item3b50738f91:g:WyYAAOSwFQVePxgI

Oh yes I like the idea of a screen I'll start looking for local eBay / Facebook offerings.

when it's windy shit loads of dusty crap comes down

I've got a chimney like that. I shoved a big sheet of bubble wrap up it, trapped in with a cardboard box of the same size as the chimney flue. It doesn't stop it all, but it stops most of it.