What would do with this fire place?

[BG2015]

I just don't like it at all. Want to get rid of the brick totally and maybe open it up.

It's an electric fire. DP would like a wood burning stove but we would need to check if the chimney can accommodate that.

Any ideas?

I don't like it either.

What era is the house? Victorian, 30s etc...

I’d put a solid oak mantel beam over it. And I’m sorry I’d loose that wallpaper it does not work with it. And get a less plasticky looking fire.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/oakleys-oak-Fireplaces-Decorative-Fireplace/dp/B0CJQCLVTT/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1H3LOSIZ749R3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._KuPGpAn4XRwQMevbwcRgX9ttURwF-XAE2TEBtjfKJ9Z93QS0Ja35YlieZkNJ5AmNxiNNFPpgctdyJ4va_CvMsCcueGxnrxnWMVvSdIVx4NTmR-AjUwGjYfmxMsPLEPKI4uUNNZcZuTR-b-MJQdRDU755O8TgIYiNT59X_jonAKG4Rp0wjVewr1qikkBs8cx_4RpuzGFMpJ_I7YV91B_SnI0Ic6oeeR8VmXcSPvLkX7y7ui6Eh5rfok-8rQtpSkO1jnjK_isTe_OSHCiyyLMb6bW7kcS-CBGvs5Zxibk3bI.h4MtTqIn5EoQnRCrdAyN692qJSwA_PsKtV7krmQfeA4&dib_tag=se&keywords=solid+oak+mantel&qid=1713108964&sprefix=Solid+oak+man%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-6

I wouldn’t put a wood burner in.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/06/indoor-wood-burning-raises-women-lung-cancer-risk-study

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/wood-burning-stoves/article/stoves-and-pollution-aIPXC8g7lbu5

https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/media/press-releases/health-experts-issue-warning-call-tighter-regulations-wood-burning-stoves

@Janetime yes a thick oak mantle would improve it, and the walls painted in plain colour with some depth.

The wallpaper doesn't work at all.

Bin wallpaper, bin home sign, replace with none- plastic looking fire. Sorted.

Yes not my choice of wallpaper. It's the house I'm buying.

Definitely bin wallpaper and ‘home’ sign — what is it that’s currently in there ? Is it a fake fire?

I mean, gas or electric or what is it? Do you know whether the chimney works?

It's an electric fire

I'm thinking something like this.

It's a 1950's semi

Better.

Yes that’s what I was trying ro describe. I’d not remove the brick right away it could be nice with the mantel and the wall painted

Would it work if ithe wooden mantle beam sat on top of the brick like this?

I think the bricks look awful and would remove them. To achieve the look you want it needs to be flat and the oak beam floating as in the photo.

You could easily remove the bricks yourself, including those on the hearth, and get a plasterer to make good.

I do prefer the clean lines of no bricks.

That would be fantastic

You wont regret a burner, I love ours

Similar to your picture although slightly less thick mantel, ours is a thick pine shelf more, so we have candles on it as well

Will you have tiles or a backing inside behind the burner? Enamel panels are an option if you dont want to tile it

Like this op; it might look crap but I’m saying don’t remove till you’re sure.

You need a certain clearance between the fire and the beam you put above it @BG2015

Your diagram may not have sufficient clearance in the way the PP's picture does.

The HETAS engineer who checks the chimney will be able to advise.

So many on Pinterest

I'm thinking a wooden burner may not be an option really as I have severe asthma

https://www.cooksandcompany.co.uk/product/everhot-aubergine-electric-heater/

Comes in different colours. Electric but not with horrible fake logs

https://www.cooksandcompany.co.uk/product/everhot-burgundy-electric-stove/

Or the oven version, I have my eyes on this for the kitchen

Yes the beam / mantle has to be a certain distance from the rising heat of the fire. You will need a HEPAS installer to sign it off. Also need carbon monoxide detectors fitted within a certain distance of the fire. A mantle would look lovely. And the best woodburners are called Clearview. I couldn't afford one of those when I installed mine but their doors stay a lot cleaner than other makes. I have a Juno5 and it's fine though.

It’s hetas, and you only need it for a wood burner not to attach a mantle.