Old fireplace dilemma
Joanne Robb
8 years ago
I really am at odds as to what to do with his fireplace. Some people love it some people loath it. I love it. I don't know if I should paint it? Bring it back to the brick or put my range I front and use the chimney as an extractor fan. It's an old cottage with stone walls. The chimney breast has two outlets so one behind the stove (open fire) and one directly above the stove that's as wide as the fire place. It's painted with farm paint. Tough to get off.
J Robb
J Robb
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Comments (6)
PROAmber Jeavons Ltd
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoJoanne Robb
8 years agoThanks for the response,
This is just about as far as I can move the table. It's usually right in front but I found it was encroaching on my cooking space so the gorgeous Lad Oscar was moved and the table pushed up. Awaiting an extension which would give an open dinning room and living area. I'll probably have some sort of table there for work top space ( a country table with smaller chairs that would push underneath).
It won't let me attach another photo
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Comments (4)I'd go for a woodburner. You get all the glowing cosiness of fireplaces; far less of your heat is disappearing up the chimney; you can dampen it down before going to bed without worrying about sparks and embers spitting out into your living room and roasting you in your sleep: what's not to like? I made the very journey you're contemplating, from open fireplace to gas and then stove. Gas was useless; it barely gave off any heat and looked perfunctory....See MoreShould we keep our old fireplaces?
Comments (34)The Edwardian fireplace is the correct proportion and age for the house. Hard to tell if it is actually original to the house or if it is Mahogany or Oak, but don't paint it. Wood has a beauty of its own if treated with a natural finish like Beeswax and the patina of age adds to the beauty. Certainly don't varnish it. One of the reasons it appears heavy in the photo is the oak surround on the hearth tiles. My advice would be to remove the wood hearth surround and install a wood floor in the room (perhaps oak and slightly lighter in colour than the fireplace butting up to the tiled hearth). This will will compliment the fireplace and ground it. You could remove the tiles (normally I would keep original tiles) but the cream and maroon colours in this instance do give an overall heaviness and don't particularly enhance the fireplace, however I would leave the tiles for the moment. The finished scheme should look classy and elegant with a neutral colour palette. If this is going to be a working fireplace than you may consider a grey slate hearth. This is the focal point of your room so getting it right is key. Wherever possible conserve original features. The 1930's fireplace on the opposite side would appear original and most likely installed in the 30's. It is charming but not proportionally correct for an Edwardian house. But because it tells a story and is original I would be loath to remove it. Selling it on would be tricky as the tiles will most likely damage when removing them. I would keep both fireplaces as they will both sit well in a neutral colour scheme with a wooden floor....See Morefireplace dilemma
Comments (4)Thank you ED. It had loads of ring marks before, which were horrible (why would you leave tea/coffee cups on a lovely old fireplace ??!! ). Thankfully most of them have been scrubbed off. I’m really grateful for your comments,...See MoreJoanne Robb
8 years ago- PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago 
erica cheetham
7 years ago
Amber Jeavons Ltd