Red brick fireplace 😩

[Sweetmelody72]

We moved house in the summer. Built in the 1980s but it does have some character we like, although some things we aren’t at all keen on.

We are doing a full renovation so have the scope to make improvements so that the decor is more to our taste. Have lots of ideas but I’m stumped when it comes to the fireplace.

I don’t hate the red brick, but the whole look of the fireplace is just too strong (the red, the little alcoves , the very size of the damn thing).

The fire is used and we will continue to use it, but I would love people’s ideas on how we could make the whole damn thing more stylish. We’ve been considering plastering over the brick and painting it, but then what??

Photo attached. Check out the little Admiral Nelsons (that thankfully can be screwed off).

you could do something like this

Thanks @sunnyzweibrucken

I’ve looked at a few pics of painted brick fireplaces and I’m pretty sure now that I don’t like painted brick. I think I prefer the brick as it is to it being painted. So I’m looking for ways of covering up the brick and generally styling the whole thing, other than with paint

I think the top two black niches are what makes it a little strange. Can you fill them in with matching bricks? The whole thing would be more rustic/plain without them. Make them disappear.

And add what looks like a hefty piece of rustic oak to the top as a lintel instead of the slim shelf currently there. It doesn't have to be hefty, just as long as it looks like it is.

If you are renovating -so making lots of mess anyway-I would just get rid of it. Have the chimney breast skimmed along with the ceiling and just put a nice regular fireplace in.

I think what looks odd to me is the hole with logs in. I feel like the hole for the fire should go down to the floor and be a big arch.

I can see what you mean about the niches. I’ll have to look into whether I could source more bricks. Given the age of the house I’m not very confident

Honestly? I would get rid...its ugly....get rid and start over

I'd get the chimney swept and checked.

The black soot up the front of the fireplace is a bit sus.

The height is off with the low ceiling too. I'd do as above, during the full reno get it skimmed.

It's way too dominant, I'd have to paint it just to lose it until I could replace it.

Different brick the width of the breast up to the ceiling with an inlaid oak beam mantle.

Sorry but that is one ugly fireplace.
Knock it out. Start again.

Another vote for getting rid of it and starting again. It's not worth your time to tart this up for a meh result. You can't make a silk purse from a sows ear.

Granite transformations can put a sheet of their engineered stone over the top. It can be cut to fit into the alcoves as well.

The fireplace is too high up it should be just above the hearth. I’d take the whole thing out and start again.

@MeetMeAtOurSpot

If you are renovating -so making lots of mess anyway-I would just get rid of it. Have the chimney breast skimmed along with the ceiling and just put a nice regular fireplace in.

That’s what we’ve defaulted to but I wanted to get some second opinions

@Cotswoldmama

I think what looks odd to me is the hole with logs in. I feel like the hole for the fire should go down to the floor and be a big arch.

That’s such a good point! Obvious now you’ve pointed it out

@Gingernaut

I'd get the chimney swept and checked.

The black soot up the front of the fireplace is a bit sus.

You think it could be caused by something toxic? The people we bought from were far from house proud so just assumed the chimney hadn’t been cleaned in forever

@Ohpulltheotherone

Sorry but that is one ugly fireplace. Knock it out. Start again.

Definitely get rid - you won't regret it. It's got v odd proportions with the fireplace not going done to floor and looking wider than the chimney breast.

We had similar large red brick fireplace and we took out ... worked well and v glad we did.

@butterfly990

Granite transformations can put a sheet of their engineered stone over the top. It can be cut to fit into the alcoves as well.

I know this company! I wondered if it could be clad in something to make it look like a marble beauty

But do I cover or remove 🤔

It’s all the random nooks that put me off- it looks like an angry face!

I agree with pp, it’s really obtrusive and probably easier in the long run to start over with something you actually like rather than hodge-podge together something you think is just alright out of that!

You think it could be caused by something toxic? The people we bought from were far from house proud so just assumed the chimney hadn’t been cleaned in forever

The smoke damage coming up the fireplace suggests the ventilation may not be sufficient as all the smoke isn't being drawn up the chimney.

If that's the case, carbon monoxide may be an issue as well as smoke inhalation.

A carbon monoxide monitor would be a wise investment.

You really need to get the chimney properly cleaned.

Google black brick fireplaces. I would paint it a gorgeous, satin black first, just to see if it made a huge improvement that I could live with for a while. If it doesn't help, then I would have it covered or replaced.