Victorian terrace - chimney breast removal

8 years ago

We're removing a chimney breast as part of a renovation in a newly created loft room and the first floor of our Victorian terrace. I'm wondering if removing the chimney breast down into the dining room is a good idea? The layout is very typical of the style of house and we'll have a knocked through lounge dining room at the end of the works. I'm wondering if having a shared space with a chimney breast in the living room but not in the old dining room may look strange. Anyone have examples of where this has been done well?

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8 years ago
I took mine out and reused the bricks to build a pillar to hold the new beam that replaaced the stud wall that held up the joists!
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8 years ago
I don't think it will look strange at all. It's quite common practice these days to open out the two rooms and remove one fireplace. It gives you more room and you only need one working / feature fireplace per space really. Don't forget that although you are taking out the stack in the attic, and possibly the one in the dining room, you still need to put in supports ( ghost hangers ) for the brickwork that is part of the chimney stack in the bedroom above it!
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Thank you for your comments @drpepe101 and @rosemonde. The kitchen on the new plan is how our kitchen is now, the new plan only includes a small extension to the rear. The kitchen is not actually that dark, the back of the house and garden is SW facing so luckily we do get a good amount of light. It also does not feel cramped but that is due to the fact that it has been badly designed with hardly any cupboards - the fridge/freezer and our food is currently in the 'office' behind the kitchen! So I definitely agree that in order to create a kitchen in that space with all the cupboards we need - it will end feeling cramped. I did really want to take out the wall and chimney stack that separates the current kitchen from the office room behind it. We have had three different architects to view the property and they all felt that whilst not impossible it would be a very difficult job. The wall (which is the original exterior wall) is 2 feet thick and is built from large blocks of local stone, as well as having the chimney stack running through the centre all the way up to the roof. I am now thinking the best solution would be a side return extension either for just the width of the kitchen (sketch attached) which would not require planning i believe as it would be under 6m or possibly a longer side return. I wouldn't necessarily need a separate utility if we are widening the kitchen as i could incorporate a washing machine etc in to the kitchen. I would like a downstairs WC somewhere though. Currently our shoes/costs are stored in the cupboard under the stairs. If we went with this layout i would like to create a better opening between the kitchen and existing dining area and put pocket doors or similar in between the lounge and dining room so we can close off the lounge to make it feel cosier when we want to. Will check out the George Clarke shows! Thank you for the recommendation.
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Hi Kat, My, how that is crying out for a beautiful fireplace! In theory, there is no reason why you couldn't just mount a mantel and then tile onto the wall - but you MUST maintain the ventilation with a suitably sized grille. Plenty of nice options using punched metal etc, rather than the plastic one we see. That said, in my own view, you are probably best to reopen the fireplace "void" more fully - it gives you the option to put in some sort of fireplace, whether decorative or functional, or a nice additional "space" to dress & use. Such a change needn't cost the earth - especially if you are not reinstating a fire requiring flues etc. And you will be amazed at the wealth of inexpensive "used" hearths, fireplaces & mantels you can pick up on Ebay - some incredible bargains to be had! Then use the money you save to pay a professional to frame/board/tile it out properly... Let us know what you eventually do - and post pics! Caldicot Kitchens
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Victorian terrace - chimney breast removal

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