How to treat an inglenook - paint/plaster?

[tom.harrigan]

Hi

I've recently demolished a hideous construction containing a Parkray stove that was built within an inglenook fireplace, revealing the "original" rear of the inglenook. After filling half a skip with concrete and rubble, I'm left with an attractive fireplace (about 5' x 7'), but don't know what to do with the back of it. The stone won't scrub clean as the soot and tar is deeply penetrated - perhaps hundreds of years of it (the house is C17). I'm tempted to leave it, but if I do I'm going to have to blacken certain areas where I've had to do some repairs. I've had to close up where the bread oven once was, and replace/rebed the odd stone that was loose, so it looks a bit weird at the moment.

I plan to put a stove in there in a few weeks time, but in the meantime tar and soot just runs down the chimney when it rains.

Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated.

T

 

[Flyfisher]

Funny you should mention that - I'm currently having precisely the same dilemma.

I'm also tempted to clean the original (but very manky) brickwork up as much as possible but am also concerned about the necessary repairs sticking out like sore thumbs.

I've considered 'lining' the whole opening with new brickwork, but that runs the risk of it looking a bit like a 'kit pub'. If that was the case, my contingency plan would be to render the new brickwork and paint, or perhaps paint the bricks directly.

So, yes, more ideas very much appreciated.

 

[tom.harrigan]

It turns out that F+B do some very dark coloured limewashes, and that Earthborn do some dark pigments you can add to their claypaints. I'm only after a rough rustic look minus the obvious repairs. I have some claypaint tester pots, so I might try them to see if it sticks.

T

 

[middi]

I sympathise with your dilemmas flyfisher and tom harrigan .The first thing to consider when restoring any period (used) chimney is to repair by using same( or similar) density construction masonary ( brick, stone chalk,flint etc..), then re-bedded or repointed with the same mortar density as originally used. The second, and most important , any repair carried out must be easily reversed without further destruction to any of the original fabric.
From a restoration point of view, there is no need at all, or of any importance, in trying to "match" the sooty and used with the newer repairs. The objective in restoration is not to disguise the repairs, these, if reasonably well done, will distinguish the old from the new and the "new" repair will be part of the evolving history easily distinguisshable by future historians.

If from your personal preference you wish to see a "nice and tidy" chimney, I would definetely not be tempted by the futile exercise of relining with new "old" brick scenario, if the repairs are good and "honest" you can limewash or lime render what you dont like to see. The only problem with this,is,you then have to explain to any inquisitive visitors why such an old chimney looks as if has never been used. From my point of view there is nothing better than an original sooty fireplace to convey that " homely" feeling.

 

[tom.harrigan]

I'm not prepared to use matching mortar, so I've got to disguise the obvious - sticks out like a sore thumb - nature of my "repairs". There is also absolutely no way my repairs will be reversed - who wants a hole in their wall?

I too like the sooty fireplace look, so I'll probably mix some soot with something sticky and paint it on!

T

 

[middi]

I did mention I understand your dilemma. If you wish to add something "sitcky" in the limewash just remember that it may be too "sticky" for it to be removed from the bricks if anybody wishes to remove it at a future date.

The bottom line is you must feel at home in your own house, if there is something that offends you eye "disguise it without destroying it"

 

[masochists-r-us]

Same dilemma for us. 17th C cavernous sooty chimney amazing to experience short term, but very drafty as well as dirty. In the end we lime rendered and plastered the inside, leaving the arched outline of the orignal bread oven (that had long since been removed) on show and put in a false ceiling high enough to be out of view. Also, make sure you put some kind of cap over the chimney to keep the rain out as well as the jackdaws who will post nest building materials down the chimney if you don't. My clever Husband also took the precaution of putting an inspection hatch in the false ceiling so he can make repairs or retrieve debris/lost birds if required in the future. This also means the chimney is not sealed up and hidden from view for the benefit of future occupants.
Hope this helps. Good luck !

 

[DaveBrigg]

I plan to put a stove in there in a few weeks time, but in the meantime tar and soot just runs down the chimney when it rains.

If you are fitting a liner for the stove, the chimney should be sealed at the top around the flue, so that will stop the rain causing problems. The stove may hide some of the repairs too. Before you try painting on soot, have a go with a candle flame.