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Design Dilemma Fireplaces

Fireplace original tiles or not?

5 years ago

Hi does anyone know if these tiles would be original. They dont look very victorian to me. Obviously the hearth isnt and looks pretty hidious. Id like to take the hearth out and the fireplace and keep the surround. But if anyone knows they are original ill keep them as I dont like stripping original features from old houses.

thanks Katie

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Comments (5)

PRO
i-architect
5 years ago
Hi! It's hard to tell if the tiles are original. They might be original but they look potentially more early to mid 20th century to me. They are pretty though and in good condition. If you don't mind them then I'd tend to keep them. Even later alterations tell a story about the history of a house, so even if it's not original from first built there can be value in later additions, if you like them.
Katie Paul thanked i-architect
PRO
User
5 years ago
The wife had a look ( ex Antique Dealer ), says, neither are original. The hearth will be under that and be flush with the floor most probably as raised hearths were not so common. The tiles are relatively easy to change, but you do have to pull the fireplace out to do it, you can buy original Tile inserts.
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Dear Jennifer, i agree with the other commentators the fireplaces look original. They might be marble but are more likely to be marbleised slate. But the tiles look very new. I am sure originally the fireplace would have had a caste iron insert. I have a large marbleised slate fireplace in my lounge, and another in the cellar which had been removed from the dining room by previous owners. Although large my fireplaces would have had caste iron inserts, both removed before I bought the house. The only thing that appears strange in your photographs is the location of the fireplaces, especially the top one which appears to be located in a corner. Has this room been divided, the wall to the right of your picture may be new, butted up against the chimney stack. The skirtings also appear new, which would confirm this. You don't say whether or not you are concerned how dominant these features are. I was concerned for some time as to how to integrate my fireplace into my white and Ivory colour scheme, however a brushed steel insert, firegarde has helped. I'll send photographs if that would help.
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Not an expert but I feel the wooden surround is probably original to the house and painted white at a later stage. The tiling looks later than 30s to me although, as you mentioned, there is a deco element to it, but some 50s tiled fireplaces look Art Deco inspired. Possibly put in at the same time as the fire. Will you use the fireplace with a fire? Btw, bit of a pity the cornice isn’t original.
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Katie Paul
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the info. The other fireplace in the room has a hearth flush with the floor, maybe if I got rid of the raised one I might like the look of the fireplace more.
PRO
User
5 years ago
I quite like the tiles.
E D
5 years ago
I like the tiles a lot. They look 'fresher' than some original Victorian tiles sometimes look.

And I don't mind the hearth.

Can you perhaps post a photo showing the entire fireplace with surround?

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