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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:
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9
Blackberrycream · 27/08/2021 03:02

I’m in the really like it camp. It’s simple with lovely proportions. It looks good with the wall colour and things don’t need to be matchy.
It would be fun to dress it. A fern would look good and I would probably introduce some black.

mocktail · 27/08/2021 06:07

I love it. Wish we had original fireplaces in our 1930s house!

spartanthehorse · 27/08/2021 06:13

I love it.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 27/08/2021 08:11

Seeing it now with the wardrobe I would keep it the way it is. It appears to be tiles and I don't think painted tiles ever look very good.

Original poster
FManc · 27/08/2021 14:34

This photo shows the blue hints in it a lot better! Unfortunately the elderly lady who lived in the house her whole life from 1934 to 2016 (not the previous owners) had boarded the fireplace up so we’re left with white filler marks but we’ll try and think of something to do with them!

1930s Fireplace - what to do with it?
OP posts:
Blackberrycream · 27/08/2021 14:49

Paint match or mix a match to with a cheap set of acrylic paints. You can find them in quality save etc. Then stipple very carefully with a dry brush over the white. Use a tiny art brush. Start with a tiny amount of paint on the tips of the bristles. That’s probably all you need. I disguise all sorts of imperfections doing this.

Original poster
FManc · 27/08/2021 15:02

That’s great advice! Thanks for that, will definitely give it a try.

OP posts:
cravingthelook · 27/08/2021 15:03

@Peanutsandchilli erm what? 😳

senua · 27/08/2021 16:52

It looks nice in the new photos and
I really like it in your more recent picture.
I think that it is lack of carpet that makes it look so much better! The marl carpet and the fireplace look too similar.
Take it back to bare floorboards, OP, and see how it looks.

sevencontinents · 28/08/2021 21:07

Like it too. I think it will grow on you.

OriginalLilibet · 28/08/2021 23:59

It would be criminal to rip that out. I can’t stand when people fake periods in their houses. A Victorian fireplace in a 1930s house is like a fake Gucci bag. So tacky. A 1930s house is a treasure. Please don’t transform it into a bland identikit generic grey monstrosity.

Sd352 · 29/08/2021 00:17

I really like both the fireplace and the wall colour and the two together. The carpet lets the room down though — do you have original floorboards under there or can you replace it with wood floors?

Thecazelets · 29/08/2021 10:05

It's lovely - much nicer than most 1930s fireplaces. Glad you're not ripping it out!

peachgreen · 29/08/2021 10:11

The more I look at it, the more I love it! And I much prefer it to the painted one (sorry, although that's nice too!). So I say keep it as it is. Love it with the blue.

naturealwayswins · 29/08/2021 10:12

I much prefer the stripped one to the painted one which looks flat and odd.

ElizabethTudor · 29/08/2021 10:14

It’s lovely - it looks great in the 2nd pic with the wardrobe, and I love the close up with the blue flecks.
I love a PPs suggestion of an Art Deco mirror above it.

Original poster
FManc · 29/08/2021 11:25

@Sd352

I really like both the fireplace and the wall colour and the two together. The carpet lets the room down though — do you have original floorboards under there or can you replace it with wood floors?
Yeah the original floorboards are under the carpet so it is definitely going to be going at some point in the next couple of months. We can't bring ourselves to strip them though (we did it in our last house and vowed never to do it again) so we'll get someone in to do it! This carpet is on the stairs and landing as well so can't wait for all of it to be gone tbh. I'm not a fan.
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Original poster
FManc · 16/10/2021 23:08

Apologies for reviving my old thread but thought I’d just update. I got VERY impatient so we got the carpet lifted and got someone over to restore the floorboards. Its made such a massive difference to the fireplace! Absolutely love it now.

1930s Fireplace - what to do with it?
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AntiHop · 16/10/2021 23:10

It looks great! Well done!

catfunk · 16/10/2021 23:11

I think it would look great with wooden floorboards. Put a trailing plant on it. Not so much against the carpet.

GreyhoundG1rl · 16/10/2021 23:12

The floorboards are gorgeous, I love them.

Nowisthemonthofmaying · 16/10/2021 23:13

It looks gorgeous!

I love the wardrobes too, what was the IKEA hack you used?

EmbarrassingMama · 16/10/2021 23:14

It’s lovely!

HeronLanyon · 16/10/2021 23:17

Lovely. Liked it before and still do. Great floor.

Bimblybomeyelash · 16/10/2021 23:18

Fab u lous!

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