Help needed - Period 'fireplace-range' in Victorian terraced house

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Hi Houzz community,

We recently moved in to a lovely Victorian terraced house overlooking a park and are really enjoying that 'new-house' feeling. We've lots of exciting ideas to work on over the next few years!

Our dining room (excuse the mess...the photos are taken from the viewing brochure and students lived in the house before us!) has a period 'fireplace-range' that we're not exactly in love with . We don't want to get rid of it as it's an interesting feature, but it doesn't look very nice as it is.

We'd appreciate any tips or suggestions.

Thanks,

Jamie

Featured Answer

chloeloves

last year

Looks really good it’s nice to see an after too!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

E D
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I kind of like the firepkace. It's different but homely looking.

And I’m sure it will look a lot better even, without the trainers at the bottom and the TV over the top.

:-)
Jamie thanked E D
Jamie
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
The TV was thankfully removed, alongside all the furniture in the picture. We're currently trying to fill the hole left in the cupboard next to the chimney breast!
Jonathan
4 years ago
I also like the fireplace.
If it were my room I would paint the wood cupboard, add a colour to the walls, swap which way the door opens (which also means moving the light switch). swap the door for a Victorian one, swap the radiator for a taller double that takes up less wall space and I would put it near the door.
I might also add a picture rail, rug, curtains etc
Jamie thanked Jonathan
obobble
4 years ago
Have you checked the attic or cellar? The cupboard doors might be stashed away there.
Jamie thanked obobble
Jamie
Original Author
4 years ago
Hi all,

Thanks for your comments.

The vendor did leave behind the original doors for the house (and the cupboard doors). The flat was rented and so needed the fire doors pictured. We are planning on changing these and the tip of moving the hinges and light switch is great; thank you.

Picture rails are definitely on the cards. a few of the other rooms have them already.We like the colour tone pictured below for the walls. Other suggestions always encouraged though.

We'll keep the cupboard at the moment for convenience, but the plan is to either remove it entirely to reflect the other side of the chimney breast or put in fitted alcove storage on both sides, similar to the image below.

We're wondering whether to strip the black paint off the fireplace-range to let the cast iron show and maybe re-paint the fireplace surround. We're also thinking about replacing the hearth .

Keep those ideas coming :)

Jamie
Sam Potter
4 years ago
The fireplace range is fab, apart from the red (painted?) panels. I'd keep the whole thing black, but if its been badly painted, strip it and re do it with the correct kind of paint. I think there are specialist paints for stoves. . If the cupboard is original I'd keep it. What jars for me are the hearth stone and floor. They look too modern. I'd get rid of both and if you're lucky there'll be an original hearth stone or tiles, and nice floorboards, underneath. I'd not I'd still lose the floor and replace with something more in keeping with a period room, and a bigger hearth stone. I think the current one imbalances the fireplace by not being deep enough.
Jamie thanked Sam Potter
PRO
StudioTwenty
4 years ago
Hi Jamie, yes to keeping the fireplace but agree with the mantle piece in a pale colour and see what you can find under the hearth! Also the other side of the chimney breast is important to show. I think your ideas are all great and it will be a beautiful room.
Jamie thanked StudioTwenty
KK1000
4 years ago
Are you keeping the timber cabinet? If you are make a radiator cover and have it painted same colour, you can make it a bit deeper and use it as a side board . If you are not keeping the cabinet then build something like bookshelf on either side of the fireplace which I think is quirky enough to keep as it is.
Jamie thanked KK1000
Jamie
Original Author
last year
Bit of a delayed update...

Had loads of work done around the house, including rewiring and plastering.

We went in a different direction in the end, opting for a more Scandi/contemporary look.

Photos below.
Sonia
last year
Looks good and I love the pop of blue on the cupboard. Well done.