Inglenook Listed fireplace

[fryups]

Hi,

We are planning works to a whole house restoration, part being repairing flashing and a tar dripping inglenook fireplace!

We think its been rebuilt through its history and at the moment is exposed stone work but with badly applied cement pointing. Plan is to knock out and re-point in lime, but I have been contemplating whitewashing/lime washing the stone work to brighten/ clean it up. As it is listed I have to be a bit careful and wondering if it was common for such finishes and what our conservation officer may feel on the matter!?

Many thanks

Phil.

 

[Penners]

Hi Phil and welcome to the forum.

I reckon your Conservation Officer's reaction to your proposals will depend very much on whether a limewash finish over the bare stone is traditional for your area.

I suggest you contact the CO and ask to have a chat with him/her. Explain that you want to replace the cement pointing with lime, in order to benefit the building, and ask whether a limewash would be appropriate for the character of the building.

 

[middi]

Hi Phil

Following on from Penners good suggestion. It would cause no harm if you want to lime wash the stones.
The worst that can happen is that you may have to wash it off again

Middi

 

[Gareth Hughes]

A picture or two would help, but bare stone, internally, is almost never traditional anywhere.

 

[fryups]

Sounds promising, we're up on Dartmoor and pretty sure the fireplace has been messed with a number of times historically, maybe something to try further down the line and have brief chat with Co.Tried to upload photo but cant getit under the file size limit, may try again when i have time, thanks for your comments!

 

[88v8]

Our inglenook, opened up in 1973, was painted with modern paint by PO. They also had backlighting installed behind the beam, just a couple of bulbs in batten holders.
Must admit, I rather like the end result.

The remainder of the room is bare stone. Not 'right', but the colour is pleasing so I've left it alone other than lime-plastering one wall. (plastered with my cheque-book, although I did hack out the cement pointing)

Ivor