"Feature fireplace" question

[llareggub]

Our house is 10 years old and it came with the most hideous gas-fire I have ever seen. Our DS1 used it as a post box for bits of toast, plastic toys and pennies so we dare not use it as a source of warmth. DS2 is already demonstrating similar postal skills to his brother.

We are finally getting around to getting rid of the thing and plan to rip it out, and the horrid faux-Victoriana fireplace that frames it. But, what do we put there in its place?

We aren't bothered about putting in another gas-fire. Seems pointless as we've never used this one. DH wants to buy another fireplace because he likes to put his loose change on top of it. I'd like nothing there because it seems pointless without a fire.

So, what to do? Our house has no chimney so any fireplace without a gasfire would look a bit weird, the more I think about it. A bit like putting in a sink without a plughole.

DH is set on having a fireplace, I said I'd ask mumsnet. As an aside, my grandmother said that I could have the lovely cast-iron firegrate thing from her house, which I'd love if we had a house with a proper fire.

Help us please!

Have had similar dilemma. Very ugly, tarnished old fire complete with broken glass front and sharp corners. Ours is a 30s semi (the fire was a later period), and we've gone for contemporary decor otherwise, so although DH was adamant that there needed to be a fire (or at least fireplace) but we just couldn't find anything to suit. I'm not keen on those glass ones that look like second TVs, and at £500-odd quid I didn't want to spend money like that on something we won't even use!

At present, we've boarded over and we have the chimney breast with a blank wall. it looked a bit strange so I have a 1930s movie poster in a frame kind of 'artfully' leaning against the chimney breast to give a bit of interest.

If the right kind of fireplace at the right price came along then we'd put it in but otherwise I think its ok not to have one.

If your house is relatively new too I think it'll be fine.