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Original poster

Is this an original feature? Victorian house

46 replies

MargotMoo · 04/02/2022 09:17

Hi all, help appreciated. Please ignore the mess and colour samples! Is this fireplace an original feature and does anyone know any more about it? House built 1890s.

Is this an original feature? Victorian house
OP posts:
absolutelynotfabulous · 04/02/2022 09:19

I don't think so personally. I think it's one of those B and Q ones painted over. The style (to my untrained eye) is kind of Georgian.

heldinadream · 04/02/2022 09:22

Scrape a bit of the paint off and see what's underneath but I agree with the previous poster it's probably a cheap recent replica type thing.

SueGeneris · 04/02/2022 09:22

Is it metal?
My 1890s house has v similar fire surrounds - all metal.

MrsWooster · 04/02/2022 09:22

Is it visibly screwed on with ‘mirror plates’? If so, probably B&Q, as per previous poster. Gingerly unscrew it and see if it comes away and is MDF.

Randomdogbite · 04/02/2022 09:24

Our house is Victorian and our fire place is exactly the same but black metal.

Seeline · 04/02/2022 09:25

I don't think so. Surely an original would have been located centrally within the chimney breast?

longwayoff · 04/02/2022 09:30

No it isn't. It's a cheap Georgian reproduction and you can ditch it. Who knows what's behind it? When I pulled out similar, I found the accounts for the construction of the extension, old cheque stubs, some tiles from what was there before and various other bits and bobs in the fireplace void. All put into a tin for me to find 60 years later. I've put it back for whoever comes next.

PeeAche · 04/02/2022 09:32

@Seeline

I don't think so. Surely an original would have been located centrally within the chimney breast?
I also don't think it's original either, but (separate issue) I can vouch for off-centre fireplaces.

My house was built in 1830 and there doesn't appear to be one central fireplace in the entire place. Unsure why. Fashion? Function? House built by a man with a drinking problem? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Ifailed · 04/02/2022 09:35

off centre fireplaces are common with multiple flues, ie if you've a fire in the room up/down stairs.

ClaudiaWankleman · 04/02/2022 09:37

I also don't think it's original either, but (separate issue) I can vouch for off-centre fireplaces. My house was built in 1830 and there doesn't appear to be one central fireplace in the entire place. Unsure why. Fashion? Function? House built by a man with a drinking problem?

Potentially to make space for a separate flue from next door/ a neighbour? My chimney is slightly off-centre and I believe it is so because my downstairs neighbour's flue rises alongside it.

I have seen the chimney/ flue shapes on the sides of houses that have become end of terrace due to blitz bomb damage. They form an upside-down Y shape, with two fireplaces on the ground floor and two directly above them. All chimneys meet just before attic level and emerge in 4 chimney pots. It's quite interesting!

LittleKitten1 · 04/02/2022 09:42

Is it metal?

TheHoptimist · 04/02/2022 09:50

Yes it is original (or at least contemporary)- I have similar ones in a 1900 house

Yotrotro · 04/02/2022 09:52

Off centre fireplaces are really common when you have multiple fireplaces in different rooms or mid terrace due to positioning of flues and chimneys.

Looks roughly right for the era but as others have said, the clue will be what it's made of.

TheHoptimist · 04/02/2022 09:55

1900

Is this an original feature? Victorian house
Is this an original feature? Victorian house
Leilala · 04/02/2022 10:03
Shock

Have just realised that none of our original fireplaces are centralised! It’s only taken my entire life to realise (childhood home) Grin

Original poster
MargotMoo · 04/02/2022 10:10

It’s got quite a few coats of paint over it but yes I’d say it’s metal. Both of our upstairs fireplaces are off centre - I think as PP said because of the flue (?) from the downstairs fires.

OP posts:
Original poster
MargotMoo · 04/02/2022 10:11

It does sound hollow though! I can’t see any bolts but looks like this at the sides

Is this an original feature? Victorian house
OP posts:
Original poster
MargotMoo · 04/02/2022 10:14

The reason I ask is because I’m not a massive fan (at least not of the grey paint job) but would hate to remove something original. We just moved in and the previous owners did such a great job of maintaining original features elsewhere.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 04/02/2022 10:16

It looks a cheap fake to me. I would be amazed if its original.

TheHouseElf · 04/02/2022 10:41

If its metal, then what you need to do is get all the paint off. Had a similar thing in a 1930s house, but not as decorative at yours, and was also off centre. Getting the paint off is time consuming but once you have, you just need to get some blacking polish for cash iron and it'll look fabulous.

Phrenologistsfinger · 04/02/2022 10:42

Looks original to me! I have the same in my 1890s house and it’s definitely original.

SpacePotato · 04/02/2022 11:05

Apparently the trend at the moment is to paint the fireplace, walls and skirting one colour if you'd rather blend it in rather than remove it.

Our house has the upside down Y shaped chimney that sticks out on side wall. Only living room is cental (ish).

It goes up through the bedrooms upstairs then curves up to join in the loft.

Whilst it is great to preserve original features, it isn't essential. My house is a mix of old and new. I keep the bits I love, like the original porch tiles and cast iron fire surrounds but not fussed on keeping dado rails and damaged plasterwork.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 04/02/2022 11:07

If its wood then no, but if its metal then possibly. I'd get it stripped and redone in black (if metal) and keep it.

CheesusTheSaviour · 04/02/2022 11:09

I think it's original or of the correct era