Concrete fireplace

3 years ago

We moved in to a house which hasn’t an uninspiring concrete fireplace, I don’t know what we can do with this so would welcome any suggestions on designs and what can be used on it.

Would it need replacing?

Thanks

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Paul Estruch
Original Author

3 years ago

Thanks all for your comments, this is what we ended up with

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Comments (30)

Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
I love it, what is it you don't like about it?
Paul Estruch
Original Author
3 years ago
Well it’s quite stained and tired and not sure it fits in with the rest of the hiusw
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Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
Yes, now I've enlarged the image it's clear to see the parts of it that look a bit tired. Don't know if it's possible to remove any bits of it without damage, but the hearth slabs look a bit grubby. If that was a single piece of one material it would look better. The top could be replaced perhaps and the area that is set back tiled with zelige tiles.
Paul Estruch
Original Author
3 years ago
Yeah ok cool, sort of what I had in my head as well. Any ideas on how to attempt removing the top? Slowly with a chisel?

Any thoughts on what could be done on the two outside columns/vertical strips
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Marina Drobot at Cinnamon Space
3 years ago
Maybe clean it and stain a darker, like gunmetal stain https://www.adsealcolours.co.uk/Colouring-and-Staining/
Sonia
3 years ago
I did at first wonder if it was stone, but it does look like concrete. I would paint it white, grey or whatever suits your decor.
Paul Estruch
Original Author
3 years ago
Did you apply any special primer or use any certain paints to achieve that?
Jonathan
3 years ago
Try cleaning before painting. If you have a steam mop I would try that
Sonia
3 years ago
Sorry Paul that’s just an image I borrowed from Pinterest. I wonder if masonry paint would achieve a similar look?
Sonia
3 years ago
Found this info which may help.
Sarah U-S
3 years ago
Hi - like Sonia, I’m not too sure if it is concrete? I have a fire surround made of Bath stone - and the texture and colour is near identical...
As Jonathan has suggested - I would start with a good clean. I’m probably doing it wrong, but I use a mild mixture of water and washing up liquid...
Paul Estruch
Original Author
3 years ago
Ah ok, does bath stone mean I should act any differently?
Sarah U-S
3 years ago
Gosh - I really don’t know!!!
Ultimately I guess you have to decide if you want to keep it or not. I would give it a good clean first and then have a think. Removing it would probably be a bit of a mess and mean a bit of plastering - but not impossible and shouldn’t cost too much...
Carly Morgan
3 years ago
bath stone is quite temperamental and would probably require a specialist to and and reseal, my MIL has a similar fireplace which is now looking very tired. if you're not a big fan then why not paint and or tile.
PRO
Sara Slade Interiors
3 years ago
If you're not seen on it I'd suggest changing the hearth tiles to something with a bit of colour, and paint the rest - something like Annie Sloans chalk paint will go over that easily :)
ofabat
3 years ago
If it is Bath stone, I would not paint it. I was reading this https://borealabode.com/bath-stone-cleaning-repair#:~:text=Painting%20over%20Bath%20stone,that%20filter%20through%20can%20escape. I like the fireplace, I would just change the slabs on the bottom, with some cool tiles in keeping with your house style. Good luck with your choices!
vicki5464
3 years ago
Hi

Try giving it a scrub with a bristle brush and some hot water with a dash of washing up liquid in.

i would change the hearth as it will easily stain when you clean out the fire. The current hearth is quite thick too it needs to be min12mm. Perhaps one large flagstone in a less porous material or at least one that won’t stain so easy. take a look at kitchen floor tiles.

I’d also think about sanding and staining the floorboards with a whitewash, so the hearth blends in slightly if you want a lighter look to the room. Or if you want a statement go dark floor and walls.
Wumi
3 years ago
As others have suggested, I’d give it a good clean, paint it (If it is bath stone, you could use a lime-wash /limes-wash paint), replace the hearth with a single piece and tile the recess. I wonder if you could get away with placing a deeper wooden shelf on the top of it if you can’t get the top off?
alyper
3 years ago
I would leave it and love it! - having first given it a good wash with soap and water. It's always a problem keeping the hearth clean, so get a sheet of plastic or similar to put down when clearing the grate.
Sarah U-S
3 years ago
Also - your photo looks like there was once a fire trim stuck around the opening - is that right? (It looks like there are marks from old adhesive around the edge of the opening). If this was the case, and if you can’t get rid of the adhesive marks, you could always reinstate a trim. You can get them in all sorts of finishes including matt black, brass, chrome etc - there are loads of places online that sell made to measure ones - they’re relatively cheap too - can probably get one for around £50. (Just google Fire Trims)

I’m not sure if you’ve had chance to look at the surround more closely - it might not be bath stone! I only suggested that it could be because it looked similar to the colour and texture of mine. It might be worth getting someone in to look??? (Or the chimney sweep might be able to offer words of wisdom when you next have one in - they’re usually very knowledgeable on these things!!)
Sarah U-S
3 years ago
Sorry - just also thought - the hearth could also be tidied up with an edge / bead of timber to match the floor. At the moment you can see a small gap between the hearth and the floor.
E D
3 years ago
Just to say... It looks great! 😊

Well done.
Sarah U-S
3 years ago
Brilliant work - looks fab!
Sonia
3 years ago
Looks so much better 👍
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
That looks superb, well done!
Wumi
3 years ago
Lovely solution!
AM
3 years ago
Good job!
Christina Malikia
3 years ago
I love what you have done with your fireplace but also have to say I totally loved the original look too. Agree the hearth needed to go but really liked the shabby stone look. But changes also depend on your house. The stone look would be fab in a large living room with a gothic or earthy vibe but perhaps not so much in smaller contemporary space.

But as I say really like the new look too.
Jules Mc
3 years ago
What a great transformation. You must be delighted with it.

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Original Author

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