What is this fireplace? (Photo)

[lettie9]

Can anyone tell me what's going on with this fireplace - what's its likely era? Is it worth keeping? It's not to my taste, but I don't want to get rid of it if it's a relic. It's an Edwardian home.

Bump!

It's Edwardian.

It's Edwardian - my house is 1905 and the street is full of similar ones, often with wood burners beneath. They're usually mahogany.

Is it original then? Gosh then I can't really get rid of it can I. I think it's been painted (?) the colour doesn't seem original.

I've seen ones like that painted Matt white and they look quite nice

The style is Edwardian but it could have been stripped and varnished that orange colour, or its a repro.

I'd paint it at the very least, its quite hideous isn't it

Will look better painted a nice pale grey or white.

Would have had much darker varnish originally. And patterned wallpaper on the wall so it stood out less. The orange is horrible.

The wooden surround looks Edwardian but the tiled insert could be later maybe 30's/ 40's however it might be late Edwardian too - early Edwardian would likely to be cast iron
Similar one here
www.tafrc.co.uk/shop/edwardian-mahogany-fireplace/

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164858454356?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338014673&toolid=10001&customid=dealsan

Do you think I could strip it back? What might I use? I've heard of people using Nitrimore(?) for stripping varnish off wood.

I think it’s rather lovely. I’d probably try and strip/sand it and maybe just oil/wax it, or put a darker stain on. We have a fire surround from a similar era that has a lovely old mid-brown hue, think it’s probably a french polish.

I would probably see about removing the tiles/grate though if you don’t like it. We kept the surround but had it opened up for a woodburner.

Yes I think stripping is the way forward. @Thisusedtobeaniceneighbourhood what would you use for stripping?

It's original Edwardian, usually much darker. I absolutely love it plus love the tiled fireplace inside. I would love to have that I'm my house!! I would paint it an off black colour, gorgeous

It's absolutely fabulous. I'd change the fire though.

Depends what is on it - but your basic options are heat (heat gun, infrared stripper), elbow grease (sanding, but much could be done with a good detail sander), sandblasting, or chemical (nitromors). If you have money I’d possibly pay someone to be honest.

I don’t actually hate the colour btw - I think if you sort out the grate and maybe the decor more generally (can’t see the rest of the room so can’t tell), then it might be fine. I would not paint it white/grey .. very ‘on trend’ but you will regret.

If you really don't like it then don't keep it. I'm all for keeping original features but it's your home not a museum.

If you did want a smaller fire surround, sell that one.

I really love it, I'm in a 70s build and jealous!

Edwardian/arts and crafts style.

Surround probably original although I think it would have been much darker and the tiled insert doesn't look original. If you paint the whole surround in the same colour as the wall behind it will help it look less imposing. There was an old house new home episode where they did similar and the end result was really smart! Series 5 Episode 5 in the Wirral - arts and crafts fireplace!

If you can remove it without too much wall damage you could pay to get it dipped/stripped professionally.

It looks Edwardian with a bit of 30s arts and crafts added on. I would strip it back to see what the wood is like. I think it would look gorgeous as a light wood or white

Think it would be a pain to strip - all those carvings and mouldings.

If you do decide to strip then Dcrefix own brand stripper works as well as anything.

Alternatively Zinsser do a paint anything paint which has good reviews.

You’d need a straight and a curved scraper and probably some wire wool too if you’re going down the stripping route.

Perhaps pay someone to strip! Sounds like a lot of work to do it myself.
I don't think I'll paint it - it will look too modern I think.

@Thisusedtobeaniceneighbourhood how much do you reckon I'd have to pay someone to do this? Are we talking £50 or £500? The thing is, there are doors and other wooden things around the house treated the same way, so they'd have to strip those too really... restoration is an expensive business isn't it.