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Ideas for a filled in chimney breast?

8 years ago

We have a chimney breast that the previous owners had filled in. We're putting alcove shelving at either side but can't afford to knock through and reinstate the fireplace just yet. Any ideas? I was thinking maybe just put a fireplace surround on the wall but this may look really odd. On the photo it's the piece of wall with the mirror on, the sofa is now on the opposite side of the room

Comments (5)

Brandi Nash Hicks
8 years ago
Wall mount electric fireplace, Google
tomm1998
8 years ago
Nice bright room! 3 quick ideas...

1) Dictionary definition of something you like, ie home, cosy, comfort etc... [https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/my-entry-to-my-office-entrance-san-francisco-phvw-vp~728698[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/my-entry-to-my-office-entrance-san-francisco-phvw-vp~728698)

2) silver striped wallpaper can look smart, but make sure it doesn't clash with the sofa... (hard to tell what colour it is from photo) [https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/living-room-contemporary-living-room-phvw-vp~141138[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/living-room-contemporary-living-room-phvw-vp~141138)

3) A wall collage can also look quite cool, be careful not to overdo it tho... [https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/gallery-wall-contemporary-kids-atlanta-phvw-vp~699416[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/gallery-wall-contemporary-kids-atlanta-phvw-vp~699416)

depends a bit on what sort of style you're looking for

good luck with whatever you do!
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I'm inclined to agree with Jonathan but if you do want to go with the chimney concept and want a bit more variation to the 'shape' of the wall then there are a few things you could do. We've got an actual chimney breast and have put occasional bench seating either side with hidden storage below, which is super useful for times of year when we have extra visitors and need a few extra seats for bottoms! (Excuse the empty holes in the middle- waiting for our log delivery!) If you thought carefully about the actual chimney breast higher up I guess it depends on what you want above it- a large mirror or picture could easily be put up on top concealing a cupboard door behind it for hidden storage. Alternatively you could have the 'sides' of the chimney breast with hidden doors (push close / push open) to storage, so long as you think carefully about what height your shelves are at and avoid the doors opening into them. I always think books look quite nice in fireplaces, especially if you paint the inside a bold colour as a backdrop to them. I'm sure there are lots of other options too! Hope it helps! Claire
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Have you thought about getting a fire or stove second hand?? I have two stoves, one multifuel, and one gas - I got them both off eBay and saved well over £2.5k combined. Stoves don’t have an awful lot that can go wrong with them - and new parts are easy to get online. (Just make sure to buy a well known and respected brand!). This is my fireplace when we first knocked it out (very similar to yours) and the second photo is more recent - we saved up and had a stone surround made to fit over. In the second photo you can also see our alcove shelves - I got a carpenter to make them out of MDF (total cost was about £200 for both alcoves). The bottom two shelves are angled to make a space for the tv etc. Sometimes going bespoke is cheaper than buying ready made!
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That's actually a good shout, hadn't thought of that. There is none currently, but there is a recess on the other side, in round about the right area of where a fireplace would have been. Might need to investigate this, but would explain the huge breast.
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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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Jo DP
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Until you can afford to re-instate the fire:

Place a console table, almost the width of the chimney, with an urn in the middle (for example) with a soft ethereal fern inside.

Place two sculptural items either side of the urn ( experiment with what you have)...two tall glass candlesticks will do.

Turn the mirror portrait (if there is room) instead of the landscape way it is hung now. This will give the room a suggestion of greater height & stop everything flowing in the same direction.

You will now have an elegant focal point.

(Place the TV to the Right of the chimney breast so that isn't the focal point).

Lovely room. You are lucky.
drpepe101
7 years ago
Leave it with a large Mirror, as in the picture. It's quite a narrow room, so I wouldn't want to lose width.
PRO
English Cowhide Company
7 years ago
If they haven’t blocked the chimney re-instating it doesn’t
have to cost a lot, it’s a really simple DIY job.. Gingerly make a whole in the
centre and start pulling it back to see what is there, usually just filled with
rubble. You'll probably end up with a nice big hole that you can make a feature
out of until you can afford a nice fire grate, dogs or a surround or whatever you
want to do. Worst case scenario they have totally ruined it, so board it
back up and paint it, nothing really lost but I'd find out.

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