Fireplaces

[philpjuk100]

one more!

 

[Penners]

whats to be done with this?

Well, the shovel could be straightened up a bit on its stand, and the top log in the basket would look nicer the other way around.

But don't mess with the fireplace. It has a beautiful simplicity.

 

[Pford75]

Lovely fireplaces and great to see pictures of your hard work.

The shutters in your neighbours house are great and I'm sure would be a fantastic complement to yours as well

 

[judrop]

whats to be done with this?

Well, the shovel could be straightened up a bit on its stand, and the top log in the basket would look nicer the other way around.

But don't mess with the fireplace. It has a beautiful simplicity.

:wink: Thanks Penners, courses in shovel straightening and log arranging organised!
BUT we are not happy with the lack of "character" , it is bulit into the back of an old inglenook, we dont particularly want to re instate the inglenook as it is actually in the dining room side of the chimney, but would like more of a focal point in the sitting room, also the height and lack of hearth are death to the carpet ! Ideas PLEASE . Thanks Ju XX

 

[Penners]

we are not happy with the lack of "character"..... Ideas PLEASE .

Hmmm - this is where it gets tricky, because 'character' is a highly subjective concept. And IMO it's questionable whether you can actually add character, in the way that you add wallpaper or curtains to a room. If you have to dream up the character, then I don't believe it really counts as character.

But I'm probably being pedantic (plus ça change..!).

However, if you want to add some detail or additional decoration to the room, how about tiling the wall behind the woodburner? Or add a mantlepiece or a big picture above the fireplace. I dunno - whatever floats your boat. :wink:

 

[judrop]

we are not happy with the lack of "character"..... Ideas PLEASE .

Hmmm - this is where it gets tricky, because 'character' is a highly subjective concept. And IMO it's questionable whether you can actually add character, in the way that you add wallpaper or curtains to a room. If you have to dream up the character, then I don't believe it really counts as character.

But I'm probably being pedantic (plus ça change..!).

:lol: VOUS ? Surely NOT Penners ! Perish the thought ! :wink:
Thanks for your input , it is appreciated, The cottage was "done" in 1986 and I guess we feel the fireplace is just SO 1970`s.
We shall see what comes along , and if it means re instating the inglenook then so be it!
Thanks again Ju

 

[Juju]

This is our kitchen fireplace which we used to hate - but since decorating, ie changing the walls from peach to cream and then painting the inside of the fireplace blue (to match the colour we're gonna paint the units), we've decided we quite like it It just seems to have made a feature of it and made it look warmer (which is weird as people always say blue is cold). We're just doing a fix-it job on the kitchen but I'm pleased with how even just painting the walls is an improvement. After Christmas, I'll paint the cupboards, change the handles and then maybe get new worktop, sink, and oven. I'll still hate the flooring and the crumbly plaster (which by the way is why it looks like I missed a bit on the right when I was painting - it's too soft to paint!) but it's considerably cheaper than a new kitchen!
Anyway, it's an idea for your fireplace Judrop although I don't think yours is that bad!
Juju

 

[Moo]

Why not do something fairly quick and easy (lots of good suggestions have been forthcoming) and then forget about it while you get on with the rest of the house?
Then, when the project's finished and you can get on with living a life, you'll realise to your own amazement that the fireplace has quite ceased to be an irritating eyesore. In fact, you'll have forgotten all about it, just as we have with the Habitat paper lanterns that were a stop-gap until we could source the perfect lights, and the bare lightbulb in the top floor passageway ....
It just takes time, is no effort at all, and best of all it costs nowt.

 

[Feltwell]

Dammit Moo, don't give my best plan away! It works with housework as well you know!

 

[worms]

Ideas PLEASE

If I am correct in interpretting the layout and linking this in with the pictures, you are suggesting that the inglenook behind is what has been converted in the picture titled "Am happy with this". If so, can you copy that hearth and mantlepiece but insert a woodburner in the opening?

 

[Nigel Watts]

Matt - wonderfully elegant Regency mantlepiece. The grate is superb.

Of the nine fireplaces my house originally would have had I now only have five and probably only this one in its original place:

Cast iron in rear second floor bedroom.

I think this next one may have originally been in my drawing room. Its now in the rear first floor room which we intend to turn into a bathroom:

This one (first floor front) may have its original grate. The marble mantlepiece is modern (Chesneys - made in China):

The last two are probably about the same age as the house but were bought from a dealer:

 

[judrop]

THANK YOU Juju Moo and Worms, all good ideas, if the fire place was in the kitchen it would be fine but in the sitting room ??
I like worms idea, ( WELL DONE with the navigation ) we may well go with that, just want something in keeping with the age of the house really . Thanks again Phil and Ju XX

 

[Penners]

the bare lightbulb in the top floor passageway

But the top floor is only for the servants, surely? They're lucky to have a light at all.