skip to main content

What to do with this dated fireplace... with a small budget

8 years ago

I am wanting to modernise this fireplace. It is in a downstairs livingroom/dining area. I haven't sorted out the floor but planning on having an oak laminate flooring. I am keen to keep the white walls.

My plan was to paint the rather outdated mahogany in a chalk paint. I was keen for a grey but having done a test sample of "flint" rustoleum chalk paint it has shown some horrendously yellow/peachy tones to the marble that I hadn't noticed before. Therefore I was considering using the hessian chalk paint which is more warm toned.

I have found some almost perfect curtains that contain a creamy/yellow but make it actually rather nice (in my opinion) Not sure which is better the cream colour or the grey tone curtain material.

I would be grateful for any suggestions.

thanks

:)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Karen Woods
8 years ago

We carried out a refurbishment of a similar mahogany-coloured fireplace last year, using rustoleum satin finish paint. We also removed the brass fire basket and surround which was identical to the one in your photo and replaced it with a small free-standing Dimplex electric stove ( a £40 eBay buy!). Here's a pic of the finished effect.
Tamara Anne
Original Author
8 years ago
I do like the white finish - very nice!
Related Discussions
Big Change, Small Budget - The Anatomy of Wallpaper
Q
Comments (9)
Stunning transformation! Love the use of colour and mix of wallpaper, bold but not overpowering ❤️ ... I notice on your account budget sub £10k, do you mind me asking what this included? Brilliant job
...See More
getting house ready for market on a small budget
Q
Comments (2)
Definitely one of the best (and free!) things you can do is to get rid of all clutter/extra possessions. Be really critical and keep only what is absolutely necessary. You may, for example, like being able to seat 13 for cosy gatherings but if the room can only really seat 5, get rid of the extra stuff. If it looks like your outgrowing your house, buyers too will worry about longevity. You don't have to get rid of anything, just remove it for now. Going on with the free route, make everything neat and tidy so do you have weeds in your path (who doesn't have a few?) get rid of them, grass slightly overgrown? cut that. Before spending any money make the house look as good as possible by tidying and decluttering, that will then show you if you need to/where to spend your money. For example, once clean and tidy if you think your rooms are too dark and so a little dingy, then that's your next area to focus on
...See More
HELP- I’ve made my new bathroom look dated. what can I do?
Q
Comments (60)
If space is your priority, perhaps the second toilet would be better? What brand is it, btw? I will eventually be redoing a bathroom (had planned to do it this year, but gas price rises have made me decide to install a wood burner instead). Really like the shape of this second toilet and it looks like it would be so easy to clean.
...See More
Small extension small budget
Q
Comments (3)
Ouch! £25,000 seems a very small budget for any size of extension Sophia, even at the lower prices we have here in N. Ireland. Especially as that presumably has to include VAT (so a pre-VAT budget of £21,000). It looks like an internal reconfiguration is going to be the answer and could give you a really great space and a decent chunk of money left over for some nice sympathetic finishes. Love the 1930's houses, they tend to be well proportioned compared to modern standards. Best of luck with your plans :)
...See More
PRO
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I like the material that you've chosen. You just need to be careful with greys and oak flooring. It needs to be a warm grey to go with the wood. Cooler greys don't look so great.

I think that leaving the old fire and the hearth in situ are a mistake. The mantle is just screwed to the wall, so that's easy taken down as is the hearth and back plate.

If you remove them and open up the fireplace ( it really is fairly easy to do, and if you do it yourself it costs nothing ), then you can always cut another plain back plate the shape and size you want from MDF and paint it plain to match the wall, with the fireplace another shade.
As above though, I feel that the Mantel should be white and the wall the colour, it will go better with your flooring. I would also not choose the grey unless you compare it to a sample of the floor first.

You can always add another fire at a later date!
Kate Home-Roberts
8 years ago
Hiya, we painted a very similar fireplace in my sons bedroom- I popped the frilly chintzy flowers off with a screwdriver, primed and painted! Looks fab
Daisy England
8 years ago
I'd keep the granite surround and hearth and replace the actual mantle and sides of the fireplace with oak.

Sponsored

More Discussions

1930s extension - Glazing, Overheating and Layout

10

Kitchen Layout Question

7

Could I swap kitchen and living room

3

Help with ground floor renovation design/floor plan

1

Loft Conversion Advice

0