Fireplace Modification
We need to replace carpets in lounge (very old) but cannot agree on a complete revamp of the room, so as an interim I am considering removing the stonework either side of the fireplace, along with the hearth (to be replaced with a conventional rectangular hearth or none at all. Any idea what is possible, what I will find when removing the stones etc? My wife is keen to fit a gas fire behind a glass screen, with no hearth so would be good if we could fit a carpet which allows for this upgrade in the future.
Comments (16)
Daisy England
3 years agoRelated Discussions
To keep or not to keep?
Comments (14)Thanks everyone! Looks like the bricks will stay! We haven't seen a setup like it either minnie101 - that is what is confusing us. It looks like it may have been an agar cooker of some sort in the space behind the tv. Like the idea of changing the colour of the beam and also moving the TV to the other side or possibly get a projector. I think we will be getting a professional out to take a look and to give guidance on the best position of the new fire. The old one does not give out any heat into the room but only serves to heat the back boiler which we are getting rid of soon....See MoreHow to lay out/decorate/modify room with an almost triangle floorplan
Comments (23)Hi @Paul McCann, I am not sure what's you budget is, your plan for the property and if it's worth the work but flipping the functions from the front to the back of the house could be a good solution to embrace the orientation and balance the layout. Smaller room at the front, less deep, will maximise the North's light. Keep the services like laundry room, toilette and stairs in the middle where it's going to be dark as you will use these spaces for the least amount of time. Place the kitchen and dining area at the back to get all the light on the room you will use the most. Here are a couple of quick options for an alternative layout: Op1 is keeping the stairs where it is currently and do not touch the first floor. Op2 is moving the stairs that will effect also the first floor Please bare in mind that with no dimensions and very little idea of baring walls and structure of the house, location and surrounding this is just a fun exercise!...See MoreWhat to do with this brick fireplace...?
Comments (11)Hello Emma, It's a fantastic room and house I imagine! Have you considered possibly painting the brick above the beam chalky matt finish and then hanging a large mirror.. or even something else.. I would not change anything and nor would I remove the beam, but you can force the eye to see what you want.. By painting chalky colour close to a brick colour not necessarily red in tone, but you then minimise the "brick" aesthetic somewhat whilst retaining it and the texture of it.. Hanging a lovely rectangular mirror to balance will also help gr8ly! It's an idea that doesn't involve any removal.. One last detail for the fire is give the hearth a bit of treatment.. I'd say it could come out a bit further.. maybe a brick hearth or if you'd prefer a slate, or stone.. .. You could have a piece of your choice cut to size. It will help to bring out the fireplace and the wood burning stove.. Add some fantastic iron tongs etc and a pile of logs.. What does look a little odd is the size of the windows.. They are very small... This is also the reason why the brickwork of the chimney stands out so much... as the scales are not proportional. A lot of really old houses had really small windows but, I do think the room could possibly benefit from the windows being extended and or moved slightly further away.. Also they need to be a open as possible with any dressings.. Roller or Roman if staying size as is.. need to be as tightly wound to open the window as much as possible.. Possibly consider opening the windows a bit further or even position them slightly further away.. With the stairs, they could look fantastic open without banister rail and spindles... So a sleek open design could really set the room.. If you like geometric and bold but highly sophisticated interior.. I can offer excellent procurement, design and styling advice.. Some fantastic large geometric wallpapers which really could play with the ideas of scale.. With paints and accessories stones, greys, charcoals and earthy colours, accent with copper, golds, charcoal/blacks (matt) and or warm woods.. Play with scale and height to add contrast and interest... : ))Large!!Stylish tongs etc.....See MoreLive Chat Series with George Clarke - January 19, at 3pm
Comments (100)Dear @judibutler I assume you are referring to a wall which is wholly above ground and that you have completely ruled out damp tracking into the wall from above. A lot depends on the size and thickness of the wall and other factors, such as if the building is listed. Damp penetration (driving rain) through granite walls has been an ongoing problem in church towers in the southwest of England for some time. Ironically the problem often seems to get worse after re-pointing in lime. Granite is fairly impervious and was often in laid in large blocks meaning trapped water has little chance of getting out through thin mortar joints. Historic England held an excellent conference on the subject in 2013; the transcript of proceedings can be found at: http://content.historicengland.org.uk/content/docs/research/damp-towers-conf2013-programme-transcripts.pdf A roughcast lime render coat may help, but there could equally be voids in the wall which are holding damp and may need grouting. However, grouting is a very tricky and expensive technique which should not be undertaken lightly, and only works if one knows exactly where the voids are. Over-cladding the whole wall with semi-sacrificial weather boarding may be a last resort. This and rendering are likely to require planning consent. Depending on where you are located, a company like ArchiMetric (www.archimetrics.co.uk) could insert some interstitial moisture monitors into the wall to try and find out exactly where and when the damp is getting in and how it is moving through the wall, but this may be expensive. Some localised investigation by dismantling pockets of stone may be useful. The Society of Ancient Buildings helpline (mornings only on 020 7456 0916) may be able to help with specialists in your area. Most importantly try to get an understanding of how water is getting into and moving through your wall before you embark on anything. If your problems relate to below-ground damp then a different response will be needed....See More
User
3 years agoI hada very similar fireplace to that in my lounge. Anything is possible. Here are my before and after photos.
Karen Burton
3 years ago
Paula Flutter
3 years ago
susan wishart
3 years agoferebug
3 years agoWe had the same problem but took it a bit further as we knocked down the walls on both sides to create an open plan area and then added stone work around the chimney. We have an open fire on one side and an electric fire on the other (we wish we’d had it made open through to the other side but couldn’t afford it at the time).
Nothing beats the focal point of a nice fireplace.
Greg Woodward
3 years agopaddyart
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
Sonia
3 years agoIt is dated isn’t it and it just doesn’t go with your lovely room. Get the sledgehammer out! There are some lovely electric fires that would create a modern vibe. Something like this.
PROConbu Interior Design
3 years agoDuring this project we removed the fireplace and replaced it with a gas inset fire. Hearth removed and timber sourced to match existing. Beautiful stone selected. Not great photo but gives you the idea. Good luck
jackietravers61
3 years ago
Rachel W
3 years agoRachel W
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
PROPure Stoves & Fireplaces Ltd
3 years ago
kazzh