Is the fireplace old fashioned?

5 years ago

I have bought a very dated property that needs a lot of work. I’m thinking the tv needs to go either next to or above the fire and I’m unsure if I should keep the brickwork. The fire will be changed for another electric one built in but a good looking one. Any advice would be much appreciated. Obviously the carpet will be changed!

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Juliet Docherty

5 years ago

I think if you style the room like this it could work.

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Comments (23)

jillyhilltop
5 years ago
We're stuck with a stone fireplace wall. It was a depressing green stone that I just had to paint over. I used white emulsion, three coats. Paint might be a welcome disguise until you decide whether to remove it.
Lozbob Linley
Original Author
5 years ago
The white definitely softens it a lot. If I can’t decide in the next couple of weeks I may go with this option before the walls get painted. Thank you for sharing your idea.
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Hi Vicky, I think painting the units will definitely make a difference to the kitchen before you have your extension done and that wont be expensive to do, a pastel colour maybe might look nice with the worktop and tiles? Also with the flooring in your bathroom, the cork i agree needs to be changed, you could look at a sheet vinyl which can be put on top of the cork but not give a perfect finish and it would have to be cut around the pedestal and tray which may be fiddly. Some less expensive tiles would work or a karndean effect flooring which can be stuck down, all those options shouldn't be to expensive to do. Have a look at some of these websites for colour options. https://www.vusta.co.uk/catalogue/category/browse-floors_1/ http://www.carpettradecentre.co.uk/karndean-flooring-basingstoke/
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We are a funny bunch.......we all have pipes hidden behind tiles in the shower but don’t worry about them leaking but do worry about concealed cistern toilets. Then we unplug the TV when we go on holiday in case it melts but we trust the fridge. I think lots of people have an opinion based on what a tradesperson has said rather than personal experience. And let’s be fair- as a profession they tend to be a little negative.... we have all heard that flat roofs leak, concealed cisterns will give you sleepless nights and anything new and unfamiliar is bound to explode within 20 minutes of installation. I say don’t make decisions based on your trades persons convenience but have what you want and have faith that the product has been designed to allow maintenance. I had a concealed cistern at my last house and when something needed replacing, the flush plate popped off and although fiddly it was just a 2 minute job.
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Jules Mc
5 years ago
If you're going to the, trouble/expense of a new fire and carpet/flooring now, I'd definitely do the extra work now and remove it. Otherwise when you come to do so it will have an impact on the new flooring /decor, etc.
Juliet Docherty
5 years ago
The insert is old fashioned but the stone is very 'on trend' (hate that expression. If you do a room scheme that is quite neutral with lots of textures it could look really good.
Lozbob Linley
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you I appreciate your advice. Struggling to visualise it but I think the neutral colours may work well with a new insert. Just got to figure out the fire type and colour scheme now.
tamp75
5 years ago
I think it’s ok. It’s not overpowering in the room. The thing that stands out is the wood on top which I’d think about trying to lighten or paint. Looks like you have a nice slate hearth.
Sonia
5 years ago
I quite like it, especially the warm colours in it. I love natural stone in all its forms and think it could look good. Maybe paint the wooden shelf all around it white/off white and keep the colour scheme within the room warm whites, taupe, tans and browns. Look how trendy it can look!
Lozbob Linley
Original Author
5 years ago
That looks really lovely. Thank you so much it’s given me some great ideas that will save me knocking anything out and making the most of what’s already there.
rinked
5 years ago
If your room need plastering, consider removing the entire chimney (at least the most of it, it's quite wide). And then maybe placing a smaller one. Personally I dislike electrical fires, so if not for heating, I'd leave it out. Is there a chimney that goes towards the roof? Because if so, it'll need structural support.

If the room doesn't need plastering, just replace the wood for something thinner, just sticking out the stone for a few mms. Paint it white or the grout color. Remove the floorplate. The stone is a nice feature.
E D
5 years ago
@jillyhilltop, do the letters H-I-Q-V mean anything to you?

:-)
Lozbob Linley
Original Author
5 years ago
Afraid not. Should they?
A B
5 years ago
I wonder if MI6 communicate on Houzz?!
jillyhilltop
5 years ago
E D I've had the brass stencil letters since the mid 80s. I came across two sets. Unfortunately there wasn't an H, I, Q or V in the large set and sadly no Q in the smaller ones. Bizarrely despite having had them set out in various homes over the years I'd never noticed that the small ones read HIV until a friend who's genuinely OCD noticed it 3 weeks ago! How didn't I notice that??
Lozbob Linley
Original Author
5 years ago
That is some major detective work! I didn’t notice and you can’t tell unless you really zoom in.
Victoria
5 years ago
I think you need to make the stonework narrower and higher to update it. Fortunately you should be able to use the existing stone to do this.
jillyhilltop
5 years ago
It had to be done.
J Hen
5 years ago
Hi,

I think I’d take the lead from whether you LIKE the fireplace or not. If so would you keep it as is or paint it?

Then go from there as its the ideal time to rip it out if you decide it’s not for you no matter how trendy it may or may not be.

If you keep it - I think you are right to add a more fitting fire and tv placement would depend on how much it makes you crane you neck and how well you can hide leads etc. My parents had a similar fireplace when we grew up with an extra matching brick area to the right which my Dad build to put the tv on and he even made a cupboard for the vhs to go in!

Good luck
PRO
User
5 years ago
It's a No from me.....................the fire isn't even in the middle is it? I'd have to bang it all out, centralise it and then go from there.
Tryphic
4 years ago
If something is on trend now, it will look dated later. Personally I would remove the whole thing. If you want a fireplace, start again, and if you don’t, block it up and give yourself the space.
KK1000
4 years ago
As they said everything dates so doesn’t matter weather you spend extra money or keep what you have sooner or later it will be dated . So don’t spend to much enjoy life can’t update things every year think about environment. Recycle and reuse .
bfrobson
4 years ago
As Man About the House commented: the fire is not centred in the fireplace and, personally, that would drive me absolutely nuts. I'd go for a hole in the wall fire and ditch the entire brick and mantel set up. Photo below might be a bit too big for the space, but you get the idea.
Lozbob Linley
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks everyone. I’ve decided to knock it out but I’m unsure if I will put a wood burning stove in there or something like the last post, into the wall. I need to live in the house a bit longer before making the decision I think.

Is the fireplace old fashioned?

Juliet Docherty

Comments (23)

jillyhilltop

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Is the fireplace old fashioned?

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