What would you do with this fireplace?

[LakesLover]

We'd like to replace the old 2 door woodburner for a newer, more efficient one. But we are unsure what to do with the surround.

I'm not a fan of the 'fake' bricks at the back as they are very uniform. I'm thinking we should lose the mantelpiece/shelf?

Any suggestions?

It really depends on the style of the room. I would be tempted to plaster the whole fireplace and replace the mantle. Pinterest have some really good ideas if you search wood burner fireplace.

It might look a whole lot better with a mantelpiece that is in proportion, rather than that shelf on brackets. I'd get the back plastered too.

I think I would just change the shelf to a chunkier one. And plaster or paint the back of the fireplace.

I would just remove the shelf and have the back wall plastered. Get the slabs repaired or replaced. I think the original brickwork provides enough interest to the area, no need for a shelf full of objet d'art (or tat depending on budget...😃)

Thanks, I'm glad removing the 'shelf' is unanimous. It's in a dining room where we are embracing the Edwardian feel of the house - William Morris wallpaper, built in butler cupboard, piano etc. I'm guessing exposed brick doesnt really fit into that theme, so maybe plastering would be a good idea. I know the previous owners spent a lot of time exposing it, so that is making me feel guilty!

Before doing anything, I’d get the HETAS fitter round to make sure the opening and hearth comply with the regulations. We had a similar issue and our hearth looked like yours, we had to extend it out to comply with the regulations.

I would not plaster inside the opening as it could be difficult to paint in the future and anyway the paint will almost certainly discolour with the heat. I would have it rendered with sand and cement and leave it natural. (That's what we did!)

I always like to see an update, so in case anyone cares. We've had the surround, fire boarded and painted and I'm just waiting for some tiles to be delivered so I can tile the inside. It looks so much better and I can't wait to get the new log burner installed and lit!

Excuse the mess....

Looks lovely now!!

William Morris wallpaper, built in butler cupboard
I'm buying a house that has similar. Can you tell me what the built in butler cupboard is? The vendor says an alcove thing is a pantry but it's off what I think would be called a "morning room" not the kitchen. What was it for?

I'm not sure about the history of the 'alcove cupboards'. Sadly mine isn't original, I made it earlier this year from kitchen cupboards (good old mumsnet favourite - DIY kitchens). When looking for similar in pinterest I searched 'Butler cupboards' and it came up with something similar, plus lots of new kitchen cupboards you could buy. I'm not sure what they are officially called.... but I'd expect to see them in a dining room. I would have thought a pantry is very much a kitchen thing, what I'd call a larder?

My swoony worth inspiration was this -pin.it/5k9kdn1

Sorry, that probably didnt help at all!

Looks great! What are the tiles like that you've ordered?

Would be lovely to see it again when it is all finished!

Thanks @LakesLover for the tips!