Fireplace

[LexingtonsHome]

Hi, we've recently moved and this is the fireplace in the house. I like having a fireplace and don't want to remove it although I had hoped to update it. The mantle shelf is actually resting on a large piece of concrete built into the wall so we can't really change it. I'm thinking of restaining the wood a less orange colour.
I really wanted to make built in cupboards and shelves in the alcove but feel we can't do this now because we can't change the over hanging mantle piece. Any ideas of what we can do in the alcoves instead?
I think it all looks incredibly busy at the moment due to the wallpaper and our clutter. I think decorating in more natural tones would be best. Again any thoughts and ideas would be welcomed. Thank you!

There is no photo.

Ah apparently as a new user I can't post photos! So not much use really!

Now it will let me here are some photos.
Any ideas welcomed

I still can’t see any photos, sorry.

Last try with these photos!

Can see them now!

Yes the wallpaper needs to be changed, and I’d also paint the shelf, give the below shelf area a good clean, and I’d change the hearth.

Also there is no reason you can’t have shelves above the mantle height either side, there is also a lot of stuff either side, which needs a clear out and the old cupboard moved.

I'm sure a builder could take that out!

It's definitely not original, and you look find when you take the faux stones off the will be another larger opening inside.

Is the chimney outside brick?

If you strip it all back it will probably look like this

@ponkydonkey

Is the chimney outside brick?

If you strip it all back it will probably look like this

It's actually made of the bricks in the colour you can see. Built in 1965, I've never seen another the same anywhere!

Could you cut the thin wood top back to the same line as the thick one ot ideally take it off altogether. Then you could have built in cupboards made to the same height and with the same top surface (I imagine a good carpenter or kitchen company could make these). You could then shelve above the alcove cupboards.

I think it's redeemable.

Take the shelf off and replace with shelved alcoves, but much lighter shelves, more sympathetic to the light stonework. If you want a shelf there, keep it within the width of the stonework at most, but probably better if it's only a little wider that the fireplace itself and not that thick, just a single shelf thickness. You could get away with a double shelf if you can find something in a reclamation yard a bit like this - perhaps, but that's stretching it.

I'm not convinced that's original stone anyway; it looks like Portland - are you in the SW? Assuming it's not original and not old, you could skimmit and paint it which would help a lot.

Use a nicer fireguard. Have a stroll around reclamation yards. You'll find all sorts of treasures.

www.diys.com/diy-fireplace-mantels/simple-mantel-surround-with-double-shelves/