To keep or not to keep?

9 years ago

We have recently moved into our new home which is a cottage in the countryside. Want to keep the cottage feel but make it a bit more modern. We are going to get a log burning stove to replace the old parkray but don't know whether the bricks look too old fashioned. Anyone got any inspiration of what you would go with this space? Unfortunately this is the only place in the living room that the tv will go so need to consider that also. Thanks in advance.

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PRO

JMC Decorators

9 years ago

Yes keep the bricks. But get your self a projector with a drop down screen. And lose the t.v that is the elephant in the room or on the TV in this case

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Comments (14)

neotoma
9 years ago
I'd definitely keep the bricks - they look original. I think modern vs old-fashioned can mainly be achieved by the surrounding decor.
minnie101
9 years ago
Hi Kaye. I'm a bit confused by this inglenook but probably my ignorance! Where is the chimney for the parkway?What is behind the tv? Is there a hearth? It looks, but this is where I may wrong that the pillar with the beam on top was rebuilt at some point but if you reinstated the brick column there then wouldn't be an opening? The brick on the right with the laptop looks as if it was just built with old brick. I'd get rid of this and have a smaller tv In this corner. I don't think brick is old fashioned but Id get the whole thing rebuilt, assuming the cottage isn't listed, using the original beam and bricks and board out the exposed chimney or try and get the paint off but not an easy task. As I say I may well be wrong and haven't seen an inglenook like this before! I'd get an expert in anyway to give ideas and advise on what is original. It is a cottage so it would be a shame to strip it of its features.
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PRO
Button & Sprung
9 years ago
Hi Kaye,
Painting the bricks in the fireplace and changing the finish on the dark wooden beam would be a great way of modernising the fireplace but keeping the lovely original features. It may be possible to sand down the wooden beam and use a stain or paint to give it a different colour. You need to consider colour carefully because the walls of the fireplace merge in to the main walls. I think the room would look great with a more accented neutral tone, and then the bricks of the fireplace in a chalky white. These Farrow & Ball combinations would look great: Light Blue with All White or Blue Gray with Off White.

http://www.farrow-ball.com/blue-gray/colours/farrow-ball/fcp-product/100091
http://www.farrow-ball.com/light-blue/colours/farrow-ball/fcp-product/100022

Also for the television, I'd try and conceal it by making a fitted cupboard in the nook it's currently in. This way when not in use it can be hidden away and won't look so unsightly in the original fireplace. I would paint the cupboard to match the bricks or back wall.

Hope this helps!
PRO
Icon Wall Stickers
9 years ago
Keep the bricks! They show the originality of the building whilst being modern
Tom Flanagan
9 years ago
I love the bricks - no question, keep them!
PRO
Feioi
9 years ago
Definitely keep the bricks and leave them exposed. If the colours and furniture are modern and sleek it will give it a contemporary feel while the brickwork and beams help it to stay true to the original style of the cottage. Why not paint the inside of the nook black so that the tv disappears when it's switched off?
Clare Ainsworth
9 years ago
Keep the bricks!
Georgie Akin-Smith
9 years ago
I agree with Clare, I would definitely keep the bricks!
pavinia
9 years ago
You gotta keep the bricks!
Kaye
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone! Looks like the bricks will stay! We haven't seen a setup like it either minnie101 - that is what is confusing us. It looks like it may have been an agar cooker of some sort in the space behind the tv. Like the idea of changing the colour of the beam and also moving the TV to the other side or possibly get a projector. I think we will be getting a professional out to take a look and to give guidance on the best position of the new fire. The old one does not give out any heat into the room but only serves to heat the back boiler which we are getting rid of soon.
minnie101
9 years ago
Hi Kaye. Do get an expert in. I am all for period features (more so than most to be honest!) but in my non-expert eyes it would appear there have been modifications but could be totally wrong. An aga is a possibility but the column and brick pillar are still confusing me! I saw an historian on here recently commenting on fireplaces so it's a shame she hasn't picked up the post. Best of luck with it all. If it isn't original there's no harm rebuilding with the existing bricks for a fireplace that works for you and the room
stabmonkey
8 years ago
please keep the bricks. they are on trend right now too.
Tracy Sidaway
8 years ago
Keep the bricks, please don't paint them.

To keep or not to keep?

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To keep or not to keep?

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