TJB that log fire is pretty sweet looking. I always hate how chunky the surrounding stuff in Goldsource always looks. With no shadow beneath it or anything around at a similar resolution, it sticks out.
Purely as suggestions, you could make a texture of the panel or cement slab the log sits upon. Most fireplaces have this anyway. In that texture, you could extend elements of the model into the environment, like dust, char, and parts of the shadowing that it would cause. With the space beneath the cradle, it'd look awesome. If you want to take just one step further, paint the lighted parts on a black texture and flicker an additive overlay on top, like the computer screens in Natural Selection 1.
I did a fireplace in my Link's House map. I replaced the bubble sprite texture with a hot dot and used that as floating embers... I also think I made the stuff beneath the fire a part of the model as well, I can't exactly remember.
Fireplaces are a huge focal point by design and would easily be one in any room that has one. Especially in a dark evening timed setting with not a whole lot of other things.
Whatever you are working on, I hope that this helps you spawn some creative ideas. If its for practice, practice good work.