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Fireplaces Design Dilemma Flooring

Fireplace fender 1920s/30s renovation?

2 years ago

We are extending and renovating our late 1920s semi and the builders have just uncovered what we believe to be the original tiled hearth (see photo). We were planning on re-carpeting this room (and still want to do it) but we were wondering what to do to make this more of feature. Would appreciate thoughts!

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Comments (6)

Angie
2 years ago
You could carpet up to the hearth but would have a change in level. Is the area with the log basket a cupboard or a working fireplace? Can’t quite work it out from the photo. Or restore the floor and have a large rug rather than fitted carpet?
kazzh
2 years ago
Could you post a picture showing the whole fireplace area? The community might have more suggestions that could give you a cohesive path forward to incorporate your discovery.
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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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Many thanks for all your comments. Really good food for thoughts. I had a few “loft specialist” quotes and we almost went for it. But the reason we did not is that all those specialist lofts companies were not willing to do the rest of the house (eg electric and plaster/painting in living room/dining room, installation of wooden floor in ground floor, reroofing...) so we would have to employ a separate company for this; which obviously make the project more expensive and not streamlined. I think our project is “small” but maybe it is not :) And does deserve a proper architect /design to start with... I will keep you updated ;)
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Richard L
2 years ago
Re-Finish the boards, assuming they dont have draughts, and a nice Iranian or Afghan rug instead of carpet?
Sonia
2 years ago
It does look like a 1920s/1930s hearth, but the fireplace doesn’t look original, what I can see of it anyway. A better picture will certainly help.
Sarah Hunter
Original Author
2 years ago
Some additional photos - the fireplace isn't used at the moment but we think it could be converted to use with a wood burner. Had decided to get carpet because it would double as a guest room occasionally but think it would be a shame to cover up the tiles.
User
2 years ago
As the tiles are flush with the floorboads, you'll need to use a carpet edge trim around the tiles.

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