Opened up fireplace

Kaipa88

So I recently removed my gas fire and exposed the original brickwork. I’ve cleaned the bricks with brick acid but would need to get it repointed if I kept as is. I’m putting an electric log burner inside ontop of a slate hearth with an oak beam above but undecided whether to A.) get the original bricks repointed B.) have a faux brick layer or C.) plasterboard and paint similar colour to walls. The chimney breast will get plastered. I’m getting herringbone LVT fitted after the fireplace if this has any bearing on your opinions. Also undecided on riveted slate hearth or smooth. Any advise would be much appreciated! 

Before:

bjorn_toby_wilde

The bricks at the back are quite a nice colour. I’d probably repoint them, although it looks like a few are cracked and might need replacing.

Looks like you definitely need the oak beam as the chimney breast is dropping in the middle.

Kaipa88

Yes sorry I forgot to say my builder will put a lintel and block off the chimney. 

Lorian

Play safe with a temporary prop 

Kaipa88

These are the two options for state hearth. Smooth modern style or Riveted rustic style. Obviously they haven’t been treated in these images but will look black when finished. 

stuart45

Smooth or Riven is really down to your personal choice. I've done a few fireplaces in our cottage. I've used riven in the extension, smooth upstairs, and roofing slates in the Inglenook.

Kaipa88

I guess I’m just a little concerned the herringbone along with highly figured hearth plus open brick might be a little too fussy. It might look fine but difficult to visualize it 

stuart45

Do you know anyone with the software to show how it will look?

Kaipa88

Afraid not!

stuart45

Looking at ours, I think the Riven one probably suits the woodburner style better. Hard to see in the photos. The riven one is under the woodburner.

FreeBear

bjorn_toby_wilde said: Looks like you definitely need the oak beam as the chimney breast is dropping in the middle.

Some wally in the past has removed the brick arch that was there originally - You can just make out the angled bricks close to the top of the opening.

Just as well the builder is putting a lintel in.