Fireplace DIY/improvement suggestions

[DG527]

Hi

This is my fireplace, its in a 70s build, it was a gas fireplace and had a black coal basket and grill which we removed as it looked awful. The fireplace is capped and won't be used. So now I just want to make it look better without having to start over too much. Any suggestions for how it could be improved?

I assume one of the easiest things first would be paint the mantle, the brick inside looks ok as I cleaned all the old soot off, the bottom is just concrete so I suppose we could tile some of that. I think its the marble that is throwing me, it has 2 cracks in so I would not know where to start to sort that out, any help? I saw a lot of threads were people said not to paint marble!

I just cant think of ways to make this look better without ripping too much stuff out which I'd prefer not to do.

I would replace the surround with something more modern. I bought a lovely plain surround for my other house off Facebook for £50. That surround just looks screwed on.

Or take it off completely and just have the hole visible?

Painting it would improve the look but it's still quite dated. Is it marble or does it just look like it? If it's marble you can patch up the crack.

There's lots of potential!

Pinterest and YouTube will be your friend here

The surround/mantle is beautiful... why would you want to change it. Please dont paint it.

I would just tile over the cracked marble, you'll need to use blue grit for adhesion.

Just buy a new fireplace kit?

Go on the B and Q website for inspiration, some aren't that expensive.

Edit - if there's no gas supply then anyone with half decent DIY skills could fit one.

You could probably sell the surround

That wood surround is glorious. DO NOT TOUCH IT. Don’t make me cry. It’s very possible that it’s a West Australian hardwood called jarrah (remember the Grand Designs episode with the lifeboat station?). It is very similar to mahogany with that deep, rich red. And it’s a treasure these days.

See if you can take it off, do something with the inside and put it back as you found it.

I’ve just done mine this weekend. I like it a lot better than I did before.