WWYD with this fireplace?

[LazyDoll]

Hi,

Planning on totally revamping our front room.

New Kardean oak effect floors. Sage green ish wall colour with papered alcoves.

Need a new fireplace and surround.

Literally no clue what to put in.

Drawn to pics (to follow) on Pinterest.

Don’t want a wood burner as too expensive and house is very warm anyway!

Please help!

Like this

I would first remove the little shelves at the side of the mantel shelf and see what it looks like. Maybe replace the wooden surround with a lighter coloured, maybe oak, surround and leave the fire as it is. The hearth, etc are fairly neutral.

I was a bit disappointed to read that and then that’s growing on me! I’ve not been overly excited looking at alternative fires and I think changing the wood will make a big difference. I’ve been thinking black and white but checking out gold light fittings which would work with the existing gold fire and the existing surround and hearth will work better when we have darker walls. My husband will be made up as you’ve potentially saved us a lot of money too! As you say it’s not offensive and neutral so it could be a whole lot worse! And I desperately need to replace a sofa which is possibly money better spent. Thank you so much 😊

If there are any reclamation yards or junk shops near you then you should be able to buy a fireplace insert second-hand. It might need some cleaning up but if you don't care if it works or not then it should be able to be done fairly cheaply.

If it were me I would probably look for an iron fireplace insert like the ones in your pictures and then sand and paint your existing fire surround white.

If you know the brand of fire you may be able to purchase a new front for it, changing it from gold to silver or black?
Agree with pp, it's actually quite nice as fires go. Sofa shopping is more exciting!

If you want more money to spend on sofas, paint the fire surround instead of replacing it - prime and paint with satinwood.

I’d say the opposite to the other replies. Replacing the fireplace with one like in your Pinterest pics will make a massive difference to your room. The insert isn’t offensive but it’s not attractive either. The ones you want to replace it with are attractive and will make it a proper focal point.

Agree with PP, I think that gold gas fire is pretty hideous and I would definitely replace it, rather than try to match my light fittings to it. If you don't need it, have the whole lot removed and the fireplace made into a clean plastered opening and stick a vase or some candles in it.

Mmm interesting replies thanks.
We don’t ‘need’ the fireplace for heat 95% of the time but I also like the focal aspect and am not keen on a random hole in the wall. I’m thinking gold light fixtures regardless of fireplace so would be working with what I’ve got in a neutral way rather than matching. Whatever we do the wood is definitely going as I hate it but I’m really finding fireplace shopping desperately tedious! So tempted to stick with the gold as luckily I don’t find it hideous personally and not sure I can justify the expense to swop it.

namechangedforthis79 soooo I need to thank you as I found a beaut of a fireplace on eBay,brand new painted wood mantelpiece, refurbished Victorian style fireplace for a snip. We collect tomorrow! I’ve scored a charcoal grey slate hearth at cost through work contacts and it will be fitted within the next 3-4 weeks! I can’t wait! Turns out after reading this thread and thoughts I actually hate gas fires! And at a 1/4 of the price I was quoted for a new open fire this is a perfect solution!! Thank you!!

Got it for £350

Nice update! That will look amazing.

Thank you Blue I hope so! Turns out the fireplace was more important to me than I originally thought (when someone suggested plastering it over and putting candles in it I had The Horrors!)and now I can’t wait to light it and my sons are forming a not so orderly queue to lend a hand!! Plus it’ll look beautiful all year round and I won’t need to stand massive photos in front of it to hide it which I have been doing for the last 10 years!!

I think you would be surprised how different this could look
With just paint. I had a white and strange apricot coloured hearth and surround with a creamy stone and a brass surround. Very dated. I didn't realise that the marble could be painted. Complete game changer and I had the brass surround dipped in black for £30 and actual fireplace stone painted to match.

Wow that looks great! Well done you! And YES I am surprised how different that looks! I bet you love it now

Does the fire behind there ‘work’? Is it gas?

It doesn't currently as the chimney is capped but could with a grate in place.

Your fire surround is so much prettier than my existing one but if it had been as lovely as yours this would have been a great idea. I love the colour you’ve gone for too.

Have you got an updated photo, @lazydoll so we can see the before and after?

I’m currently choosing and ordering a hearth and then will be ready to book the fit date! I’ll definitely update on here

I do love a before and after!

Before...the after is taking shape as I type....

Cant wait to see the update.

After and I’m in LOVE 😍