J and S the fireplace guys were here again today to complete the installation. Yesterday the old fireplace was demolished, the brickwork chopped out, lintel fitted, gas line set up, and slate hearth laid.
Today’s job was the fitting of the insert and replacing the original timber mantel.
And here it is!
Remember how it looked yesterday.
We still need to patch and redecorate the wall and sand and varnish the timber mantelpiece but you get the idea.
Detail of the gorgeous tube-lined tiles. The pattern is English Rose.
The Art Nouveau style hood.
Oliver inspecting. I turned the fire off and let it cool down before I introduced the cats to it.
Ruby. Rose wasn’t really interested.
I turned it on in the early evening and Oliver soon took possession of this vantage point.
He is quite taken with the flickering flames, so I will have to watch them for a while. I still remember the day dear departed Orlando shoved his face right into the gas fire the day he arrived in the UK from Australia and singed his whiskers.
Oliver may never move.
Edwardian House Renovation 
Was it deliberate that you waited until AFTER I left to install the heater???
(It was lovely to see Orlando again.)
It was still summer while you were here…
I understand Oliver’s adoration completely. It’s really beautiful, and I am glad that you were able to keep the woodwork. It all came together perfectly!
Thanks Debby!
Beautiful and practical, absolute;y worth every bit of effort and the kittyCatz are divine. The Lady issue with Oliver + Ruby as Pets Of The Week [fabulously] in it has just hit Victorian newsagents. I think they colour coordinated their grey Duke cover with the cats actually. Bravo all round.
I wish William Morris could see the fireplace.
I’m glad The Lady finally made it! Trying to work out who has bushier eyebrows – Oliver or HRH.
Oliver has it all worked out, if I were him I wouldn’t move either!
Too right Fen!