1950's fireplace

6 years ago

Hi Everyone,

We have this 1950's fireplace in our living room and am at a complete loss at what to do with it.

I am having a major dilemma on whether to keep it or not. Its ugly, but I am strangely attached to it as its the only feature that's left of the original house, (although there is a smaller version in my 6yr old boys room too). I'm a sucker for mid century items as they bring me nostalgia, even though I'm only in my late 30's!

We really want to decorate the room that its in asap, as an adult living room, but I have no idea on how to incorporate it in, if I were to keep it. I should also mention it has a few broken tiles.

Any advice would be highly appreciated. Please help!

1950's fireplace - what can I do with it?

Featured Answer

PRO

Girl About The House

6 years ago

This feature is great very on trend as vintage is up there on the list of desireable styles right now

I would kit it out with retro furniture and accessories original or reproduction,

You have a unique item and it should be celebrated

Check out some 1930's interior design images on the web for more inspiration, adding some colour would give it an edge.

Take up the carpet and put down rugs, also sand the bare floor boards

I have a 1930's style makeover on my houzz to give you and idea, take a look.

Angular shapes, pale greens and pinks are very apt for this style

Search out a vintage(original) bedspread to put over the quilt, which can be removed when you are sleeping

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Comments (31)

Daisy England
6 years ago
Mmm what can you do with it? Use a sledgehammer on it. It's horrid.
Sonia
6 years ago
Oh dear what can I say? It really is awful. Has no redeeming features whatsoever. I had a similar one in both bedrooms of my 1930's house and we soon smashed those up! The fact you are asking means you're just not that into it. Let it go, let it go..........
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Rose Williams
6 years ago
At least it is square, so modern at a push. I actually like it, but the colour is a bit yuk on the dark shades so would only stay if could be truly matched to your preferred colour scheme as colour tile paint would make it worse... but then if broken tiles its fix it or smash it in my opinion.
User
Original Author
6 years ago
I know you are all right.... Its gotta go!
Juliet Docherty
6 years ago
Outside loos were also a feature......
PRO
Decor Books
6 years ago
No no. Its an original art deco feature. May not be the thing now but 10 years it will be 100 years old and people will be going to reclaimation to put them back in! ( same as those victorian ones pulled out in 70s)

You can find a joiner that will be able to build an mdf disguise over it to make it look contemporary
Rose Williams
6 years ago
I thought that ... original desireable feature, but the construction isnt like a wrought iron one you can take out and move, its just tile and shape, not easy to relocate is it. However, careful deconstruction my make the "special" tiles salvageable?
nmlondon
6 years ago
http://www.c20fireplaces.co.uk/original-fireplace-complete/f806_1950s-all-tiled-fireplace

http://www.c20fireplaces.co.uk/rfpc

Have a look.

I love art deco features (though sometimes you could still find those in the 50s houses). I find the Victorian fireplaces fussy and "heavy". Our new house, built in 1934, has four art deco fireplaces, two of them are working. I will replace one of them - still keeping with the period but with the blue tiles pattern.
Kayte Mosse
6 years ago
Keep it. Get it professionally cleaned, including the chimney. Regrout with white grouting (yes, white). Then change its use, as in dont use as a traditional fire place anymore. Paint the back of the fireplace white, and put in one of those gas-fired black stoves. Or just some big ornament - stay away from the Budhas. Oh and paint the chimney wall (word?) white, and hang a themed 1950's big picture above it.
dwjudd
6 years ago
Keep it, these are all the rage now. Either match the art deco theme throughout this room, or with care, mix and match with modern
Jen Osborne
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Save your money, keep it, it's kind of cute. It will go very nicely with a relaxed, eclectic mid- century decor like this:
Lorraine Douglas
6 years ago
We took a sledgehammer to ours recently

nd it now looks like this
Rose Williams
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Dont keep it just if its worth something to the odd person who MIGHT pay for it after costs of dismantling and refurbishment.... dont be daft, especially if it isnt perfect to start with
The fancy website shown earlier were new "designer" retro remakes, and a lot nicer tbh.... It's a simple sledgehammer job.
To re-model and design your entire room around something thats not nice, not your colour etc, or you would have to modify hence ruin it's originality is crazy. I'm not a massive fireplace fan unless it's impressive....
Juliet Docherty
6 years ago
Completely agree with above comment. Seems mad to think of designing a look around something that you possibly don't like at all. My house was full of artex and striped 1990s wallpaper. If someone had told me that in years to come it would be considered on trend I would have shown them the conker coloured front door!
User
6 years ago
If you can keep it, do! Even if you build a timber box around to disguise at present. You can never get it back once it's gone and everyone thought midcentury was hideous only 10 years ago and now it's all the rage.
Jen Scrivs
6 years ago
I have the same issue.......

I really don't know how I can work with it?! Has anyone got any images of a similar fireplace in a modern lounge? i want to keep it but no idea how to make it and the room look nice with it in???
PRO
Sustainable Kitchens
6 years ago
Hello,

Personally, I wouldn't keep it in my living room, but if you are not sure if you like it or not keep it for peace of mind. What I can suggest is creating a cabinet or shelving unit that blends with the rest of the layout. What do you think about having your tv there?

Would be great to have more pictures of the room to give you more ideas.

Have a great weekend,

Rui
User
6 years ago
what other furniture are you working with? I think it is a fabulous original part of your house and if you can make it work it would be great. It seems to be in really good condition too. If you can show us a bit more of the room we maybe could suggest a few ideas!
Jen Scrivs
6 years ago
Jen Scrivs
6 years ago
Maxinedallen few more photos for you - thank you for any suggestions
E D
6 years ago
Definitely keep it.
It's charming and the fact you're attached to it should tell you enough.
Get rid of the apostrophe in 1950s and 30s though... :)
User
6 years ago
Your house looks lovely, I really like all the original doors and panelling. I can see that you wouldn't want to style everything in a 1930s way, but understand matching/complementing the colours of the fireplace are quite restrictive too! I would try a few testers of browny-toned greys for the walls to get the fireplace to blend in rather than stand out. I couldn't live with a brown and cream room but suggest something like F & B 'light grey' or 'old white' might work. I have a room in F & B 'cord' which is very easy to live with and would work. As for furniture.... I think you can go modern for an eclectic look but just be careful of the colours so you don't get a horrible clash.
E D
6 years ago
Your house appears to have some lovely features. The original doors and bannister for example.
These would work well in both traditional and contemporary style interiors.
Perhaps the carpet in the hall is ripe for replacing....
:)
AMB
6 years ago
I like the shape of it, it's just the manky brown colours that are the problem. You could paint it or replace the tiles with a more up to date colour.
PRO
Decor Books
6 years ago
absolutely love that fireplace. colours that go with brown are limited even though its fairly neutral. you could go with crisp grey blue or a safe cream on the walls and accent with dark and navy blues. personally i would be brave and go with lots of autumnal colours it would pull together nicely and have a cosy feel
Vincent Mcmahon
2 years ago

and you thought yours was bad?😟
nmlondon
2 years ago
Vincent, those doggies though! I actually like the geometry of the fireplace and the shelf, not so keen on choice of colour of the tiles (I have four 30s fireplaces in the house! Three will have to go, Ive painted the fourth one white and it looks like an art deco building, which I love, so it’s got to stay).
Vincent Mcmahon
2 years ago
keep your eyes of my doggies, they not for sale🤣
nmlondon
2 years ago
Haha, fair enough
Lizzie Hudson
last month
I hope you kept it!