Victorian era flat. Our bedroom has had the fireplace removed and there's the original hearth stone but nothing else (obvious at least) remaining. We're getting the floorboards sanded and its been suggested that we might want to remove the hearth stone and replace it with floorboards in the process.
The room isn't huge, but I don't think we are likely to put any furniture against the chimney breast anyway as it will protrude into the room too much.
There are a few options that I can see - can anyone give any advice as to which you think is preferable (hopefully with reasons so we can chat them through!)
- Remove the hearth stone and have the whole area floorboarded, which is probably the more visually appealing option. We'd lose the ability to re-install the fireplace unless we took the boards back out again, which I'd be loathe to ever do. The floorboards are likely to be on show as no furniture will go there.
- Keep it as is and don't spend the £450ish on removing the hearth. It is noticeable but doesn't look particularly out of place given the age of the property. Nothing lost or gained.
- Re-install a fireplace and/or include a mantlepiece which would be usable space (and might provide a focal point to the room(?). The fireplace wouldn't be working or opened up, but just look nice and 'right'. We could use the space above the mantlepiece for a mirror or potentially book shelving.
Oh dear wise ones, please help me decide.