Fireplace paint / replacement

last month

A relatively recent purchase means I now own this. Starting to make choices on re-decoration, one of which is does this stay or go.

I don't hate it, but don't love it either. Its original to the house which is mid 50s but built along the lines of a typical 30s (think curved bay window, brick archway over the porch at the front door etc). What I'm hoping to do is still have a bit of style of an older house without being a complete restoration. I'm probably going to re-add a picture rail due to the high ceilings for example.

I have half a mind to remove it and find something a bit smaller (mantle is 52"), art deco-ish without being too fussy.

If I keep it, can tile paint actually look ok? it was painted when I moved in but with satin wood paint, which was poor up close.

Also what can I put in there? the firebox itself is quite narrow and shallow (15" wide at the opening and narrows due to the angled sides, only about 7.5" deep). All I could think of was the cut end of some logs as I've seen in some pictures.

If I was to get rid of it, I understand that the firebox area can be removed, leaving a more normal square opening. I presume that'd be big enough to allow a gas or electric insert. Would I expect to find a lintel that spans across into the brickwork if I did remove the firebox ?

Note there is no chimney breast here, the chimney itself is external to the side of the house.

Thanks

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Comments (4)

Sonia
last month
After the Second World War times were very hard and the country was skint so utility furniture was created, including fireplaces, to help people restore their homes. It wasn’t particularly stylish but it was cheap. It is completely personal taste whether you demolish it or keep it. I had 3 1930s fireplaces in my house and I didn’t like them at all so they were removed. We boarded up the bedroom fireplaces, but in the living we removed all the innards, that is bricks and rubble, and left a nice big rectangular fireplace. We cleaned it thoroughly and then added a new fire surround and hearth and then we bought an electric faux wood-burner. I much prefer this to the original. Certainly removing it is doable, but we did get advice from a builder first.
Eileen Nixon
last month
It would look much better without the hearth, if you can remove it yourself and replace it with a much narrower one I think it would look very stylish, you could also consider just doing without a hearth completely which is the option I personally would go for. If you are not going to use it as a working ‘fire’ I.e. logs or God forbid coal, you could put candles real or faux to give a soft feel, just a thought!
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Isla Cherry
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I would remove it no question. I cannot think of a single style of furniture that would sit well with that fire surround. Your suggestion of looking for something much simpler is a good one. If you don't intend or need to have a heat source in that position I would consider plasterboarding over it completely and making good and you would have more seating & furniture arrangement options in the room.
Sarah L
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I vote to remove it too. Yes there will be a lintel above the opening, and you may be able to make it a bit bigger as was done with mine to fit in a small gas stove.

Fireplace paint / replacement

Comments (4)

Sonia

Eileen Nixon

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Isla Cherry

Sarah L

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