What is this feature?

[Anonymous]

I am restoring an Edwardian semi (1905). the kitchen has a fireplace in it, and on the wall at the back of the fireplace (in a room used as a utility room by the previous owner), is a arched recess, with a 12" square 'box' made of brick about 3 foot from the floor, on the left hand side of the arch. I have taken a brick out of the wall above the arch, and this leads into the chimney. Is it a wash house/boiler room ?? If not, what is it?

 

[Anonymous]

That will be your scullery.

 

[Anonymous]

Peter - I thought the scullery was a room where washing and so on was done. Is this wrong? If so, please do explain a bit more what the scullery was and what it was used for.

 

[Anonymous]

Chas - could you post a picture?

 

[Anonymous]

It sounds a bit small to be a set-pot, or wash copper for laundry.

Is there a grate in the brick box?

My setpot is to the left of the kitchen range (in the same room, not behind the range) and has a cast iron flue connected to the main stack.

If it is an original feature, I hope you will be able to retain it. I'm building my modern appliances around the setpot (or what's left of it). It sounds like you have a very useful room there too.

Ian

 

[Anonymous]

Ive tried without success top post a pic on this forum. The archway is about 5 feet long, at 6 feet high, and is one brick's length deep. The brick 'box' is at the left end of the arch, and I can see no openings in either the arch or the brick box, either for a flue pipe, or a grate. Hope this helps!

 

[Anonymous]

I'm confused, the box is 12" square and you're calling it a room?
If it's a 12" cube recess it sounds like it could be where a back boiler sat

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry! As you stand in the room, facing the wall that is the back of the kitchen fireplace, there is an archway, 5 feet long, 6 feet high and 1 brick's length deep in the wall. At the end of this archway, there is a 1 foot square birck box, which is supported 3 feet from the floor by some metalwork, and is the left end support of the archway. Difficult to explain properly !! Can anyone tell me how to post pictures on here ?