Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fireplace wars

72 replies

mynamechangemyrules · 28/07/2024 11:28

I think this is 50s/ 60s and disgusting and about to rip it out. Brother in law insists it is an original feature (1920s/30s) and thinks I should keep it...
if it is original I'd feel a bit sentimental about ripping it out but also I think it's horrible, and hate all things grey... please vote
IABU- it's original and leave it in
IANBU- it's not original and take it out

Or tell me it's original and give me permission to remove it anyway...?!

Fireplace wars
OP posts:
Original poster
mynamechangemyrules · 28/07/2024 11:29

Obv the electric fire not OG 😬

OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 28/07/2024 11:31

Horrible. Out with it!

BiscuityBoyle · 28/07/2024 11:32

Could it be painted? I agree that it seems more 50s, the style could be 30s but the tile design looks 50s.

BestIsWest · 28/07/2024 11:32

Looks more 50s/60s to me. But you have to live with it so if you don’t like get rid of it.
Disclaimer: We have an original 70s fireplace which DH and I have a similar ongoing battle about. He’s winning at the moment.

Hedgerow2 · 28/07/2024 11:32

No way is that fireplace surround 100 years old! I agree it's very ugly and I would also want it removed!!

SeeSeeRider · 28/07/2024 11:34

it's utterly horrible, but then I might be biased, because I don't like inter-war or post-war housing anyhow.

FuzzyPuffling · 28/07/2024 11:35

30s fireplaces are much chunkier than this and often have a stepped design.

MereDintofPandiculation · 28/07/2024 11:35

The irises don't look very 50s/60s. They didn't go for flowery decoration on fireplaces. Too much something their grandmothers might have had. And the angles don't look very 50s. Could you come to a compromise whereby you remove it as not to your taste but pass it on to a reclamation place so it can be bought by someone who appreciates it?

I've got a similar problem with a 1940s bathroom suite, really good quality, lovely design - but it's PINK!

DelphiniumBlue · 28/07/2024 11:40

That is not a 20s or 30s fireplace, and it’s not even nice, so get rid! I got rid of a similar shape one and replaced it with a much nicer one, wish I’d done it sooner!

Original poster
mynamechangemyrules · 28/07/2024 11:41

I've looked at removal but keeping intact for someone else... but I've hacked away the plaster and can't see where it's anchored to do a clean removal. So it's hack it out or leave it at the moment.

OP posts:
ShyMaryEllen · 28/07/2024 11:41

I'd give it to your BIL, regardless of its vintage, and suffer no sentimentality. Your sister will probably kill you though.

greenwoodentablelegs · 28/07/2024 11:43

Ugly ! Not 20/30 in my non expert opinion. Out deffo

your bil is just winding you up, that is ugly man

ShutYourSausageRollHole · 28/07/2024 11:43

Would a mid century collector be able to remove it? You should probably get it valued just in case. Remember when everyone ripped out their seventies bathroom fittings and now they’re worth ££££

ALovelyCupOfNameChange · 28/07/2024 11:44

I’d keep the tiles and lose the plinth for something prettier

MonsteraMama · 28/07/2024 11:44

Yuck, it's horrible! If you don't like it get rid of it, what difference does it make if it's "original" if it's fuck ugly?

ButtSurgery · 28/07/2024 11:44

Surely it's just tiles and nothing special? Frankly unless it's somehow worth a fortune, get it out it's hideous!

ALovelyCupOfNameChange · 28/07/2024 11:46

MereDintofPandiculation · 28/07/2024 11:35

The irises don't look very 50s/60s. They didn't go for flowery decoration on fireplaces. Too much something their grandmothers might have had. And the angles don't look very 50s. Could you come to a compromise whereby you remove it as not to your taste but pass it on to a reclamation place so it can be bought by someone who appreciates it?

I've got a similar problem with a 1940s bathroom suite, really good quality, lovely design - but it's PINK!

oh that sounds amazing!!! I was at a friends and they had an avocado sink, it was gorgeous!

as well as a million times better quality, can you imagine something from Victoria plumbing lasting 70 years?!?

use Pinterest to embrace the pink

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 28/07/2024 11:47

Tile paint, and give it a year.

RuthW · 28/07/2024 11:47

I think that's lovely but no idea on date.

Original poster
mynamechangemyrules · 28/07/2024 11:47

Ooh I'm so happy everyone is onside. Now have to pretend I've asked a vintage expert and tell BIL to do one. He's already got my other (proper vintage but also massive for a tiny bedroom) fireplace from the upstairs renovation. My sister despairs 🤣

OP posts:
ALovelyCupOfNameChange · 28/07/2024 11:48

A really pale oak plinth (is that the right word for the top of the frame?) would look beautiful with those flowers

Time40 · 28/07/2024 11:49

That is absolutely, definitely not 20s or 30s. It's really hard to date, though - it could be anything from the 50s right up to the 80s. I think it's a non-standard design that was probably made by someone as a one-off.

ManyATrueWord · 28/07/2024 11:52

Not only does that look 1950s it isn't even a very nice 1950s fireplace. Know someone who kept their one and it really spoils a very nice room. You're not the National Trust, if it doesn't brink you joy then get rid of it.

ShutYourSausageRollHole · 28/07/2024 11:55

I really think you should ask someone who deals in mid century/mid century modern items as it could be valuable. Why would you destroy something that someone might pay you good money for?

Scammersarescum · 28/07/2024 11:58

I don't think thats original.

I was once made to tear out a tiled 30s fireplace on a refurb by my boss. I wanted to incorporate it.

I never forgave him. It was a beauty

Swipe left for the next trending thread