Fireplace

[Everestisthebest]

This is our current fireplace, excuse the balloons but there is also tiles at the bottom that you can't see. It's not the worst but it's not really what I would ideally want. Is it very difficult expensive to replace a fireplace? I would love a marble one

I would love your fireplace. No way would I change that for a marble one. You could change or paint the tiles. Blacken the cast iron. The wood looks beautiful.

Sorry that’s probably not the answer you want.

I would paint the wood an off white and the red tiles in a metallic off black to match the metal surround (I think Rustoleum may do a paint like this)

Then see how you feel. Marble fireplaces do tend to be expensive yes although you might get lucky

The wooden surround is lovely - just needs a bit of tlc. Personally I would replace the insert, or the tiles at a minimum to something more interesting. As other poster mentioned, the cast iron can be reblackened and might be okay - just a bit plain for my taste. The tiles on the surround and floor are a bit meh, though, and thst’s where I think it lets you down. I would love hand painted tiles - delft or something similar - which would contrast nicely with the wood surround.

marble is lovely, but expensive, and doesn’t always look great.if you want the style of marble but without the price, carved stone is also an option. Difficult to know what would work best without seeing a bit more of the room.

Could you post of a picture of the sort of thing you would like?

what is the style of the rest of the room and the house? marble would be great if you live in a palace, but given the scale of that fireplace I'm imagining you have a more normal-sized room. so if the fireplace is appropriate to the room, I'd keep it.

you could make the black properly black, or even replace the tiles with something better.

That is a nice period fireplace and the tiles could easily be tarted up and the iron blackened, and what was the question again?
Oh yes, not too difficult or even expensive to replace. It might be worth looking round a salvage yard or two, and I am sure that you could sell the old one.to someone who would love it.

Thanks everyone for the feedback, i appreicate all the ideas. I dont hate the fireplace, I think part of the problem for me is that I have a lot of other wooden furniture, tv stand, sideboard so it's feeling very samey and I was just pondering about the fireplace. I do like the look of marble also.
@parietal yes its not a large room at all, so good to take that into consideration.
I am so clueless when it comes to home stuff that I didnt even know you could re blacken the cast iron. I think maybe replacing the tiles could be an idea.
@Labraradabrador Wondering what do I use to freshen up the wood Surround?

I really like it. I think the side panel tiles are original and made by Minton. It just needs polishing and black-leading

I'd probably replace the bottom tiles (which I don't think are original) with a piece if black slate or paint them with matt black paint.

The hood, if you oil the hinges will pull out. You could trace a motif on it with a silver paint pen eg an art nouveau shape of some kind, something subtle. You will also be able to find an art nouveau grate front to add a bit of interest.

The surround just needs sanding back and treating with danish wood oil and buffing up.

You can replace the outside wooden bit easily. It will just unscrew and then you can put a new one on.