Trim and Surface for hole-in-the-wall?

[richsmith2005]

I've excavated a 1m x 1/2m hole into the chimney breast in my lounge. This may get used at some point for an electric fire, but for now, it is just a part of the feature wall and may house a simplistic decorative item lit by the halogen downright has been installing in the ceiling of the hole.

My question is, what would be best to use as the surface inside the hole, as well as trim around the house? My initial thought was to go for a piece of dark laminate worktop, cut to size and the rough edge concealed by an aluminium trim around the edge of the hole itself.

I upload a photograph to my web space and paste the URL if it's proving hard to picture what I mean.

Thank you in advance. Richard.

 

[JohnD]

I think they look good with a rough cast render. The brickwork is usually too untidy to show.

You can also fit a concealed second-hand safe in there for all your money.

 

[richsmith2005]

The brickwork has been rendered both inside and out and painted the same colour as the rest of the room, all that remains is to find a trim to go around the edge and a piece of marble/worktop or similar to go on the bottom.

It is the edging and the bottom piece that I’m unsure about. Someone suggested B&Q, but would a builder’s merchant stock something like this? I’ve noticed you pay a premium from a fireplace specialist.