What to do with fireplace

peter212693 · 24 Apr 2016 at 23:21

Hi all,

Next project on our new house is the front room fireplace. When we bought it the fire surround was taken buy the seller and to be honest we didnt like it anyway. So it was left open. I have had the chimney swept and stuffed some insulation in a big bag up the chimney to stop too much draft.

So im not sure what to do with it. I have put some logs in there for now and scrubbed the bricks. Now I was tempted to brick it up but they have carpeted up to the hearth which I like anyway so would be a pain to remove.

I like the idea of a nice surround and maybe a back plate which will still give the impression of an open fire but it wont be used anyway. This will also hide the plaster which is a little messy around the fire too.

The back room has a log burner so dont want another in the front but I really like the way they have replaced and tarted up the brick work around it though (ignore all the little ones toys :rolleyes:

):

So this is a couple of pics of the fireplace in question:

Anyone done anything similar? Looking for some inspiration

Schizo · 25 Apr 2016 at 05:54

Could you put the tv on the wall above the fireplace and use the fireplace for you media stuff ?

Thats what i would do personally.

peter212693 · 25 Apr 2016 at 07:25

I was thinking that but I don't know if it would be slightly too high on the wall over the fireplace as the room isn't all that wide. I do like that idea though.

Schizo · 25 Apr 2016 at 07:27

You could always block the top of a bit and bring the tv down,would make a nice project.

Skiddley · 25 Apr 2016 at 07:33

If it's lined, why not put a small burner in there? Other one looked too large.

Nikumba · 25 Apr 2016 at 09:36

schizo said:
Could you put the tv on the wall above the fireplace and use the fireplace for you media stuff ?

Thats what i would do personally.

Ive done this

Works out well also have power and data in the back, will dig out a photo

kinobestew123 · 25 Apr 2016 at 14:50

Might be pushing the thread off topic a bit here, but is that a Vesta V12 stove?

If you got the smaller V4 put in this fireplace, you could use it in Spring/Autumn then and save the V12 for the coldest darkest winter? I'd imagine the V12 gets way way too hot unless it's a very big room?

peter212693 · 25 Apr 2016 at 19:20

It is a Vesta V12 yes. The room is quite big and is open plan into the kitchen it does get a little warm but not too hot. The V4 is a good idea but would be an expensive one with it fitting as I would need a flue liner fitting too. The V12 was in when we bought the house and got it left in for a very good price.

a1ex2001 · 26 Apr 2016 at 09:22

Can't believe someone took a fireplace with them I'd have assumed they were fixtures and fittings it's like taking the kitchen with you lol

Back on topic don't put the TV above it it will be horrible! I'd either put a fireplace on it or have the chimney breast removed and utilise the space, chimney breasts without working fireplaces are a massive waste of space!

R.O.S.S.I · 26 Apr 2016 at 09:31

It makes me sad when I see people put TV's high on the wall above a fireplace.

andicole0 · 26 Apr 2016 at 09:40

R.O.S.S.I said:
It makes me sad when I see people put TV's high on the wall above a fireplace.

It hurts my neck too ;-)

I agree with the wood burner, it would be tidier if the right size is fitted.
Is there gas nearby, if so what about a lazy wood burner ;-)

Andi.

kinobestew123 · 26 Apr 2016 at 11:49

peter212693 said:
It is a Vesta V12 yes. The room is quite big and is open plan into the kitchen it does get a little warm but not too hot. The V4 is a good idea but would be an expensive one with it fitting as I would need a flue liner fitting too. The V12 was in when we bought the house and got it left in for a very good price.

Very nice, I'm very jealous.

I'm hoping to get a V4 myself this summer.

peter212693 · 26 Apr 2016 at 13:04

kinobestew123 said:
Very nice, I'm very jealous.

I'm hoping to get a V4 myself this summer.

Yea I loved it over the winter, very nice stove.

Thanks all,

No gas close by im afraid plus the whole place has been re-plastered and re decorated when we bought it so don't fancy ripping it down, maybe long term this could be an option.

TV I think definably will be to high as its a narrow room too. Might have to get a fireplace over it for now then if not another burner.

a1ex2001 said:
Can't believe someone took a fireplace with them I'd have assumed they were fixtures and fittings it's like taking the kitchen with you lol

It was a strange one, apparently there was an emotional attachment to it, they did make it clear in the forms so we where fine with it.

AHarvey · 26 Apr 2016 at 13:34

Right, 2 things I'd do, Either bang some shelves in there for books etc, you could even have doors on the front.

However, I would be tempted to get a nice piece of wood screwed into the brickwork then mount a TV wall mount to that. TV would be at the same height as it is now. Then pop some shelving underneath to hold all the TV equipment, sky box etc. All the wires are hidden too and you've freed up that corner for something else.

Other options would be to place some nice sleeper sized wood across the top as a mantel and have an electric fire in the fireplace itself.

Shame you couldn't turn it into a fish tank

a1ex2001 · 26 Apr 2016 at 13:38

peter212693 said:
Yea I loved it over the winter, very nice stove.

Thanks all,

No gas close by im afraid plus the whole place has been re-plastered and re decorated when we bought it so don't fancy ripping it down, maybe long term this could be an option.

TV I think definably will be to high as its a narrow room too. Might have to get a fireplace over it for now then if not another burner.

It was a strange one, apparently there was an emotional attachment to it, they did make it clear in the forms so we where fine with it.

emotional attachment to a fireplace the world is definitely odd!

peter212693 · 26 Apr 2016 at 15:30

AHarvey said:
Right, 2 things I'd do, Either bang some shelves in there for books etc, you could even have doors on the front.

However, I would be tempted to get a nice piece of wood screwed into the brickwork then mount a TV wall mount to that. TV would be at the same height as it is now. Then pop some shelving underneath to hold all the TV equipment, sky box etc. All the wires are hidden too and you've freed up that corner for something else.

Other options would be to place some nice sleeper sized wood across the top as a mantel and have an electric fire in the fireplace itself.

Shame you couldn't turn it into a fish tank

I think if I got another tank my wife would kill me!

a1ex2001 said:
emotional attachment to a fireplace the world is definitely odd!

You are not wrong there....

Street · 26 Apr 2016 at 16:10

I'm sorting mine out at the moment.. Similar to yours but with an old dodgy gas fire in it. I've removed the gas fire and had the pipe to it disconnected. I'm using brick cladding around the main chimney breast to make it look better as mine is just plasterboard studwork. I've lowered my TV right down so it's at eye height for the sofa. With the hole that's left I'm going to board it out so my centre speaker/receiver can sit below the TV. I'll message you some pics later!