calling fireplace gurus! what stone is this? (pic)

[KissingAFool]

I am DESPERATE to sort out my horrible 70's fireplace. I like the shape of it but hate the stone.

What stone is this?
Can I paint it?

Pic....

Sandstone maybe? Shouldn't be a problem to paint. Scrub it clean then use a masonry primer then paint.

I'm dying to paint it but scared in case I damage it irreparably

I don't imagine you'd damage it but there's no going back! You could always box it in with MDF or similar?

Could you not hack it off,get the wall re-plastered where it was and buy a wooden mantle?
Not sure what stone it is,but I'm sure it would be fine to paint.perhaps go over it with a mixture of paint and pva first incase the stone is quite pourus.

We have had this and even if you paint it you honestly wont be happy with it. I am just speaking from experience of course and always take them out. I would get it knocked out (messy but worth it), plastered up and get a more up to date surround.

Whilst this will cost you, it is better than decorating etc then realising you still hate it.

Google painted stone surrounds and see if you like any of them.

Yes you can. We painted ours black.

It looks like the fyfestone fireplaces that were all the rage in the 70s.

Best to get rid of it.

Ooh. We had one of those. Quite easy to remove with a heavy hammer and chisel. Then we had the fireplace opened to the original opening and the whole chimney breast replastered. I don't know exactly how much it cost as it was part of a bigger renovation. But I would guess 300ish£ in the south east, including them taking the rubble away. It looks like you have a decent hearthstone there already.

Prancer's looks alright too. Definitely go black if you do paint it not white.

It looks like concrete blocks to me