I absolutely hate my fireplace...
3 years ago
Hi all, I am struggling with my fireplace. I really really dislike everything about it and I am having sleepless nights.... the height, the flowers, the design, just everything is awful. I didn't realise how expensive a replacement is and because i have a 43" fireplace it is smaller than the standard and I cannot find a small replacement. I also don't know whether to have a real gas fireplace or not, plaster around after removing it or have the exposed brick. I also need a fireplace fitter in the London area. I am on the top floor of a conversion flat. Do I need a chimney sweep?
It is also slightly off centre - would you change this or is this a minor issue?
I cannot move on with plastering of the living room till this is complete so looking for any guidance asap please!
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3 years agoRelated Discussions
I know this CAN be a fabulous room ... I just lost my way a little
Comments (660)So funny! I'm planning to paint the bannister at the new house (TNH) black and am veering towards painting the treads and risers black too... I've been searching for images of black staircases on Houzz and putting them in my entrance hall ideabook. They are few and far between. In your case, I think, with your white walls, maybe the stairs white and the bannister black? (Assuming the white walls continue up the stair walls enabling the b/w contrast.) You've already put black firmly into the equation, adding some more may give more reason for the black rad cab. In my case, there is a very off-centre radiator that could so very easily have been directly opposite the front door in TNH which is rather annoying as it stuffs up the focal point. We are leaving here with every radiator covered with a cabinet - and going to TNH that has loads of radiators ...but no cabinets! Yes, the work ahead is daunting - especially since the area of Ireland we're going to is very basic and not full of DIY resources, etc. I keep thinking I'll paint TNH white - to make things simpler(!) But try as I may colour keeps wandering through my mind! Lovely to be in touch again!...See MoreWhat can I do with my fireplace?
Comments (6)Hello Questn, A good room you have there and good floorboards! Don't rip it all out and start again! I would say take all that part out that you mention. The rest is absolutely fine!! With the hearth (the floor bit) take it out carefully as you may find a piece underneath that you can paint- I'd suggest a black or have a piece of slate made to sit there... The room is a good size so I would definitely open it out more.. I have attached an image of mine with a focus on the opening.. Unfortunately in the 30's they bashed up the marble surround threw it in the recess and put a little 30's fire in front.. I couldn't afford to replace it. So I just created a mantle with what little budget I had.. Ie None! Point of the photo is to show you the opening with just a basket. I put in a new lintel to be safe buy you should be able to check as you start removing the front. No need to remove the mantlepiece while you do this. I would have a think about the chimney breast colour before you decide on a colour for the mantlepiece. Little Greene do a lovely colour for the space above the picture rail and also the ceiling.. Whitening- it's a lovely chalky and bright creamy colour.. perfect for those two areas. Decide on a nice colour for the chimney breast and then paint the alcoves and rest of the room with a nice light colour to compliment... So for an example.. Grey moss (Little Greene) for chimney breast, Whitening (LG) for above space between picture rain and cornice and also ceiling. Then for alcoves and other walls..Ceviche is quite nice complimentary colour... For the skirting, picture rail and cornice, make sure you paint these all the same colour.. An eggshell in slaked lime (LG) could be good... All depends if you want it to really contrast or compliment.. I have not mentioned the window frame but if you want to paint that then use the same colour as well for that too and the architrave round the door. You could also do the mantlepiece in the same colour... You'll see I have only suggested 2 or 3 colours and that is as much as you really need... Of course my choices here are suggestions to give you an idea.. Get some sample pots and paint them on paper and stick them to the walls... So you can take a look through the day and see how the light changes the colour. With flooring... I painted my floorboards white as I hate carpet but again it's just a suggestion.. What I would say is get the chimney looked at and see if it can be a working fire.. They will sweep it and give you a certificate... Get them to do all the fires at once as it's easier...Then all you need to do is buy a good cast iron basket. If you intend to use it like I do then you need it swept every year and a certificate which they will give you. Have some logs delivered and away you go... Store them in a log store to dry.. As damp logs smoke!.. Or even if you don't want to use it - you can create the look as if it works... Just lay a few logs in... It's a good room - it's going to look very stylish.. Enjoy working on it.. : ))...See MoreMy husband hates radiator covers...I love them
Comments (5)A meeting half way often saves a marriage. So, I propose leaving the covers off, but installing shelves above some, so that the items above detract from the radiators below. Also there are a number of skirting radiators (long and skinny) that can fit along the floor, so making this a no mess solution. There are also a number of amazing modernist styles that look like wall sculptures rather than radiators, so would look amazing displayed in the centre of the wall, rather than below and out of sight. These are options that instead of spending on a radiator cover, you may want to spend the same on replacing an ugly radiator with a more aesthetically pleasing one. There is something to be said about something that is ugly and gets covered. Why not chuck it out instead?...See MoreI think I hate our newly restored floorboards obsessively
Comments (22)Not sure on the exact science of this but use Tea! From what I can gather is that new pine lacks in tannin which is present in most woods particularly woods like oak, mahogany etc. but not so much in new pine. Over time the tannins do balance out but could take many years hence why the older floorboards (which are lovely btw) have a much more even tone. Solution is to wash freshly sanded new pine with a fairly strong brew of black tea (quantity/ratio not sure). Tea contains tannin so basically you’re adding it to the wood before staining, varnishing, oiling and so on. Might be a bit late if you’ve already oiled the zebra floor boards as it needs to absorb into the wood but thought I’d let you know if you plan to do steps. Do bear in mind that this finish may appear darker so perhaps use a lighter stain and absolutely test first. Here’s a link which isn’t great but sort of explains: https://sawsonskates.com/tea-stain-wood-furniture/...See More
3 years agoIt looks in the style of Art Nouveau and I rather like it. Is your home a period house and do you know if it is an original piece or a reproduction? If it is original then you could sell it and put that money towards a replacement. Fireplace surrounds do not need to be expensive, unless they are original. Mine is a pine surround that I painted and I used sandstone as a hearth. All pretty cheap but it gave me the look I wanted.
my1stflat thanked Sonia
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
3 years ago- 3 years ago
Yeah so it is a small original arch - the wall behind it being solid but not the connecting wall into the next room
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Juliet Docherty