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Original poster

1930s Fireplace - what to do with it?

78 replies

FManc · 26/08/2021 12:00

Hi.
So we could do with a little bit of advice.
We moved into a 1930s property at the end of last year and slowly been tackling each room in turn. We have original fireplaces in both bedrooms which had both been painted white by the previous owners. It’s taken us a day or two to strip this one back and we just can’t decide whether we like it or not. It’s got a lot more depth to it compared to just being painted over but then I don’t know….is it awful? Thoughts please? The colour scheme on the walls is staying so we won’t be repainting that.

1930s Fireplace - what to do with it?
1930s Fireplace - what to do with it?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Bluntness100 · 26/08/2021 18:15

I don’t think the fireplace colour snd walls go, it doesn’t work at all. I’d paint thr fireplace again.

SoupDragon · 26/08/2021 18:18

I think the colour is absolutely fine. It just needs a few things of a similar colour about the room (mirror/picture frame etc)

Babamamananarama · 26/08/2021 18:21

I bloody love it and think it looks great with that wall colour. Agree about the carpet though - stripped floorboards with a nice osmo wax to keep them from being orange would look nice.
I'd look at putting some nice trailing plants on the mantelpiece, maybe string of pearls, and a plant or two on the floor on the hearth.

twoofusburningmatches · 26/08/2021 18:25

Love it too. And lucky you that you still have the original 1930s fireplace. So many people just rip them out and they are much harder to reinsert than a Victorian type one.

Elephantsparade · 26/08/2021 18:33

It looks nice in the new photos and if it has flecks of blue i would leave it. It was that detail i couldnt see in the first.

SpacePotato · 26/08/2021 18:36

You could go with the trend where they paint them the same colour as the wall.
Camouflage.

Auntpodder · 26/08/2021 18:37

Definitely keep it - love proportions and colour too. It's 1930s with an eye to the future....

chocolateorangeinhaler · 26/08/2021 18:39

I love it. It's a really nice example.

CiderJolly · 26/08/2021 18:39

It’s so lovely, I can’t believe people would rip it out- that pains me!! Shock

I think you’re right in that when the room is dressed it’ll all pull together.

Original features should be treasured.

EarringsandLipstick · 26/08/2021 18:40

Oh OP I love this. So envious of you with a 1930s fireplace & that gorgeous wall colour.

Really looks lovely & I've made a note of the paint colour (if I can't have the fireplace!)

EarringsandLipstick · 26/08/2021 18:42

Oh yes, I wouldn't paint it. I think you'll lose the sense of it as an original feature if you did.

Canyrdogdothepussy · 26/08/2021 18:43

I love it ! Always looking for one.

cravingthelook · 26/08/2021 18:49

Love it, dress it with nice flowers, some art and beautiful flooring

TheAntiGardener · 26/08/2021 18:51

I really like it in your more recent picture. I disagree that fireplaces are a waste of wall. I put one back in my bedroom to give it a focus, and your photo is a great example of this.

So I’d keep it. If you really aren’t keen after living with it for a bit, though, why not just repaint? That way, it will be left for someone in future who does love it - you’ve found yourself that paint isn’t too difficult to get rid of - and impose your own taste too.

If you decide you really do hate it, please try and get it to a reclamation place. I’m guessing you’re in Manchester from your username - there are loads of places round here selling old fireplaces. I got mine from a place in Stockport where you could flip through them like you used to flip through posters at hmv!

Original poster
FManc · 26/08/2021 18:59

[quote yourestandingonmyneck]@FManc what's the IKEA pax hack?[/quote]
It’s essentially where you buy the PAX wardrobe from IKEA and then rather than having it freestanding, you make it look built in by building a base and then basically boxing it in. It saved us quite a bit of £££ as we were already paying a lot for a joiner to build us some in the master bedroom.

OP posts:
Peanutsandchilli · 26/08/2021 19:05

I don't think the colour goes with the walls at all, unfortunately. I'd try and keep it but I think it needs something doing to it.

Would help if I couldn't see a headless child sat cross-legged in the grate, on the first picture.

Original poster
FManc · 26/08/2021 19:05

Thanks for all the comments so far. We do definitely appreciate all the original features in this house; it’s what made it stand out when we viewed it. So definitely for us getting rid of it is a big no no. We also have the original fireplace in the front bedroom as well which is still painted white. It’s smaller but more detailed in design if that makes sense compared to the one in the other room. From what we can tell it’s essentially the same colour as the one next door. Excuse the mess - we’ve only just finished painting the wardrobes Grin

1930s Fireplace - what to do with it?
1930s Fireplace - what to do with it?
OP posts:
mamaduckbone · 26/08/2021 19:11

I'd keep it because it's an original feature. Is there space to put anything on the mantle? If so I'd go tall to balance out the deep surround.

inisfree · 26/08/2021 19:32

I think it's beautiful.

sashagabadon · 26/08/2021 19:36

It’s nice, trailing plant on top and maybe a plant in pot on hearth and live with it a while. It may grow on you. I have a 1930’s house/ fireplace. I love it

headlock · 26/08/2021 19:43

The colours are lovely together. Colour matches for denim drift are on the website.

1930s Fireplace - what to do with it?
Ghislainedefeligonde · 26/08/2021 20:59

I love it too, colour is great as well. Lucky you!

isseys4xmastinselcats · 26/08/2021 21:20

a large deco inspired mirror would bring out the deco character of the fireplace the range have some ace ones at around 60-70 pounds

JaninaDuszejko · 26/08/2021 23:07

I think it'slovely and how fortunate that it has blue flecks in it. The bigger issue is the carpet.

TatianaBis · 26/08/2021 23:24

Fabulous job on your IKEA wardrobes.

But that fireplace is vile and rather ruins the look.

Fireplaces bedrooms are just a waste of space imo. Unless they’re Georgian I would always take them out.

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