Ugly fireplace

tabbyfish

I like it, just paint the shelf. I've seen a lot worse stone fire places. Some that take up the whole wall. Defo would not put me off.

Beachview_2

abankerbutnotafatcat wrote: »

Can you paint over the paper?

Don't know about painting over the paper, might look like it was the white embossed stuff that people paint over. I'd be open to changing the paper but OH would need persuading.

moneyistooshorttomention

Personally - I like the fire itself. The fireplace - I'd paint it a soft white and see if I could do something to the wood shelf on the top to lighten it up (to be something similar to those limed kitchen cupboard doors or floors I've sometimes seen).

I thought you were going to show us a photo of one of those 1930s fireplaces for a minute - one of my pet hates...but mainly because of the colour of them and I would also just paint them soft white too and live with them.

My concern would be more with the type of heater I can see to the left of the fireplace and I would have mentally noted "Check the heating in that house - has it got central heating?"

laurel7172

Let me share with you something it took me 20 years to learn.

You can probably get a plasterer to sort out the chimney breast for less than wallpaper plus a decorator.

As to the dated brick...you could knock it out (if you're having the wall replastered anyway ) and replace with a second hand surround from Ebay, probably painted white or cream.

carefullycautious

I would forgive anything for that log burner
Painting the shelf would soften it.

I would not be put off by what you have shown. I was expecting a wall full of brick fireplace which seemed to be the craze some years ago, now that would be offputting

Errata

Point out all the great advantages of having a wood burner, de-clutter as if you were your own worst enemy and get rid of the oil heater standing next to it.
Then stick a vase of fresh flowers on the mantleshelf.

Mallotum_X

Its not too bad, it does look a bit dated, but as long as the house generally looks ok it wouldn't put me off.

Freshening up the room with a coat of paint would probably help.

lessonlearned

Me too - I want a log burner, I want a log burner, I want a log burner.

OK you get my drift......

The fireplace is fine. Paint the shelf if you must but don't touch the stone. It will be a b*gger to remove paint from stone. If the buyer wants to paint the stonework let them do it. Painted stone is more likely to put people off than leaving it in its natural state.

Honestly the fireplace is fine just as it is. I wouldn't even paint the shelf - some people prefer dark wood. If they don't it's only an hours work to paint it.

Stripping back paint to reveal the original wood takes much much longer and is a horrible job. Let the potential purchaser paint it if they want too.

Again not too keen on the wallpaper but's that just my personal choice.

I agree with Money on this one. That radiator by the fire is a red flag. It screams this is a cold room....Get rid of it.

Other than that leave the fireplace alone. I think it's just fine.

I would change the ornaments etc because they are not to my taste but they have no bearing whatsoever on the fireplace.

Ivana_Tinkle

I've seen a lot worse. Wouldn't put me off as I'd be replacing the wallpaper anyway (sorry!), so I'd rip out the surround and "make good" the wall at the same time.

I think anything you do to try to tart it up isn't going to make much difference and could end up looking much worse - you either bite the bullet and remove/replace the surround entirely or leave it as it is.

Rottensocks

I've seen worse too!

To sell, I'd strip the wallpaper (sorry if its your pride and joy!)

If you're really going to town, and you're handy with DIY stuff, I'd skim the fireplace stones with cement, and paint so they're matching the marble base. I'd strip and wax the wooden mantelpiece to a 'natural' wood look too....

There's nothing wrong with the fire itself at all: they don't really date as far as I can tell...