Please help me with this conundrum Mumsnet!
I live in a little Victorian terrace, and thought I'd live here forever. A few years ago I bought a cast iron mantel piece (without the bit in the middle that goes inside the wall) with the intention of installing it in my bedroom where there would have been one originally. However I never installed it (would require cutting the skirting boards and drilling into the wall which I've never gotten round to) and just had it leaning against the wall.
Now it's become apparent I may be selling up in a few years so I'm trying to get jobs done and make the house as appealing for buyers as possible. And I'm thinking, what on earth do I do with this mantel piece? Other people might not love it like I do. It does take up wall space and limits the furniture in the room, and I'm aware that would put people off. Or would people like it, bearing in mind it's only a mantel and not the full fireplace?
I don't know whether to go to the bother of installing it if it might put people off buying! But then I'd have to sell it/get rid and it's so darn heavy to get downstairs. Plus I love it and might still be in this house for a few more years before I sell.
What would you do? Install the mantel or get rid?
I've hopefully attached an image - it's this mantel but with the proper cast iron shelf at the top, not wood.