Brick dome on fireplace

[annekaneko]

Hi All
I've just joined. I live in a Grade 2 listed cottage in Buckinghamshire. I'm wondering what to do about the fireplace in my small sitting room. It's a large inglenook type, wooden beam at top but rest of brick, with a rather strange, and not very attractive, brick dome in the middle over the top of my wood burning stove. Has anyone seen anything like it? The Conservation Officer here says it has no heritage value. I'd rather get rid of it - then I can have a wood burner that I'd be able to put a kettle and pan on top - but other friends think it is unusual and I should keep it.
What does everyone think?
Tried to attach a picture but rejected as too large. Any tips for this problem also appreciated.
Thanks
Anne

 

[Gareth Hughes]

just bumping this up

 

[88v8]

Hello and welcome.

Either resize the pic using your Windows photoeditor (or other editor of choice) or link to the pic in Photobucket (or other photo sharing site of choice.)
In the latter case there is no size limit, just copy/paste the img code.

In general, one tends to lean towards preserving the history of a building and its past occupants and usages. I am sure that many of the features we venerate today were in the past considered insignificant, unattractive, anachronistic, etc.
There are of course always exceptions. Woodchip, for example.

Ivor

 

[annekaneko]

Click on link for picture of my fireplace.
https://picasaweb.google.com/102595142364969646266/Fireplace

Do you like the dome? Should I keep it?
Thanks
Anne

 

[Feltwell]

Sorry Anne, that link doesn't appear to work.

 

[annekaneko]

How about this link?
https://picasaweb.google.com/102595142364969646266/Fireplace?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLyuu7KCtMbrew&feat=directlink

 

[Feltwell]

Yep, that works.

It's a bit unusual, isn't it? What supports it? I presume the bottom is closed off with a register plate and the metal flue continues up inside?

In my (not very) humble opinion it's not great but not worth the hassle of removing it so long as you don't absolutely hate it - and they very fact that you're asking the question makes me think you can't absolutely hate it!

If you remove it then you will have to make good what is left, you won't be able to remove that without leaving a trace. I'd leave it alone, but there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to aesthetics!

 

[Flyfisher]

Now I've seen a picture it's not what I had imagined as a 'dome' and, like Feltwell, I'm also wondering how it is supported. Internal steelwork perhaps?

Not really sure what I'd do with it; it doesn't seem to cause strong feelings either way - in which case I'd probably leave it alone as there will be the 'making good' issue already mentioned.

If the CO is not bothered then it seems there is no right or wrong answer so you're on your own - which is not particulalrly helpful is it?

 

[Andys]

I quite like that. I assume it's the equivalent of the huge metal hood thing a fireplace that size needs in order to draw well. That has to be the greatest-effort way to construct one though!

Edit: Oh, it's a stove, not an open fire. hmm, going off it now...

 

[annekaneko]

Hi
Thanks for all your comments!
The brickwork of the 'dome' seems to be joined onto the bricks at the back - but not very well. There's a metal plate underneath for the stove pipe. The bricks on the dome are wider and darker than the other bricks.
There would be a BIG problem matching the brickwork if I removed it so inclined to leave it.
But how old is it? Do you think it's old? Or is it 1980s?
Grateful for any feedback.
Thanks
Anne

 

[mims&pip]

I like it too actually, although I'm not a fan of woodburners/multi fuel stoves either

Personally I'd keep the *dome* but for me it has an Arts & Crafts feel - a period of which I'm rather fond

Mims x

 

[Matt Green]

The stove looks lost in a hearth that size. The dome looks odd, I don't think I like it: it renders the rest of the hearth a bit useless.

 

[88v8]

What a glorious piece of brickwork.
I presume it pre-dates the stove, and was an attempt to stop the fire smoking. Perhaps it succeeded.
Anyway, I would certainly keep it.

Ivor