Out dated fireplace makeover project!
Hi all, we recently purchased this weatherboard, 50yo house with this outdated gas fireplace and wooden surroundings. The worst part is the tile s are about 2-3cm above the floorboard. Underneath this tiles, half is timber, and the part closer to the wall is (I think) brick. I have so many question and I don't even know where to start, can anyone put in any thoughts in my following questions?
1. I have a Braemer ducted cooling and heating system installed, should I replace this old gas heater to new heater? Or just remove it and purely rely on the ducted heating system?
2.what is the most cost efficient option to remove the tiles and what to do with the area with ripped out tiles?
3. My friends suggested that I should let someone come in to give some professional advice. If I'm willing to do this, who should I look for? If interior designer will have the specific knowledge/experience in fireplace renovation ( say gas fitting, different types of options etc)
Comments (9)
Related Discussions
Living area makeover
Comments (11)Hi Guys , you have probably already done this room already.. But I would have tv and Fireplace sharing the same wall and move the tv if possible to take advantage of the fire on those cold days, would be nice to see tv and wood heater from the the couch area. I understand that it looks like it was an open fire and you have had to box in the flue from the wood heater, so it looks a little nicer - unless there is an option to see part of the flue (like you see on escape to the country tv show' to give character. Otherwise , I would consider bricking up the gap and keep the mantle as its quite nice and render over the fireplace area, then choose if you want to keep the walls either side of fireplace with exposed brick walls but put in 'if you can afford or like - timber open backed booked cases into the space either side of the fireplace. then if you do not like the floor tiles and cannot replace immedately, go for a big cheap dark grey rug to match couch - will update the inside of the house while you decide on flooring alternative and look much more cosy. Just my thoughts, room has good structure - shame that you cannot see the fire from the tv- guess you need to decide if you want to feature the fireplace or cover it up and make focal point of the room where the tv is instead- this will guide you in either plasstering over whole walls - or keeping some walls as they are. cheers....See MoreExternal makeover and front garden HELP!
Comments (26)If you are planning to move in a few years, leave the decision whether to paint the bricks to the next owner - they may not wish to have the regular job of re-painting! The awnings , as already mentioned, may be there for a very good reason - wait until mid summer before you decide to ditch them totally, it would be good to get them working properly again to get the sunshine into the house in winter . Central West NSW is a hard place for plants - hot and dry in summer, frosty in winter. Chinese Star Jasmine is an excellent choice along the side fence, but will need watering when young, especially if that fence is exposed to sunlight the whole day in summer. It will grow and become quite heavy, make sure the fence is up to it. You could plant some deciduous trees in the front lawn to give shade in summer to those front windows - crepe myrtles are tough enough, Chinese pistachios are good - anything will need watering to establish, but once they are growing well you can gradually toughen them up by decreasing the watering; the deciduous trees will lose their leaves in winter and still let the sunlight come pouring in to the house. Grass will struggle under their branches once the trees start to spread, so plan to create garden beds underneath them early on. You could underplant with bulbs - tulips will love the cold winter, daffodils and jonquils will love the winter sunshine when the leaves are bare. You will need to know the path of the sun in midsummer and in midwinter to work out the best position for trees, so take pictures of where the sunlight and shadows fall in the different seasons to refer back to when planting. Roses also love a hot dry climate, but you may not wish to get involved with rose pruning and thorns etc! Talk to your local nursery person, they will be able to give you good local advice and recommendations - if you have an idea of what you need the front to do that will help - do you need lawn for kids , are you happy to kiss the lawn goodbye etc. Wander around your neighbourhood in the different seasons, and if you see something that catches your eye, either talk to the house owner or take a picture and visit the nursery again! Most people are thrilled to be asked questions about their garden, and will prove to be mines of useful information. See if there are any open gardens open to the public in spring / summer - these are often really spectacular, and the grand country gardens are wonderful for ideas , which can be modified for a smaller area and budget....See MoreWhat to do with this ugly fireplace?
Comments (7)Can't see the room layout, but if you keep it, it could be a nook for a sofa or chairs by the fire on a cold night, with a rug in front. Definitely have a mirror on the mantle. Think about walls and rooflines before you do anything. Or if you've got lots of cash to splash, take it out as it may serve no purpose with a heatpump in place. Replace roof tiles, internal brickwork.........you see what I mean, just saying.........See MoreBefore & after: A 1970s apartment makeover
Comments (17)While it is a great update on a budget , I'll be the desenting voice haha . Theres a few things I would have done differently . I don't like the polished concrete floors -- a bit too trendy IMO , especially when other items haven't been updated -- a mix of periods looks a bit strange to me . Ironically , the only place I would have considered the polished concrete is the bathroom floor -- the blue tiles look great , the white cabinets and black taps -- and then you keep brown speckled tiles on the floor ? The kitchen is okay -- I'm not a huge fan of the blue doors , personally I would have gone with bright yellow or orange , and gone with oversized stainless handles on all the cabinets , and a stainless wall oven . And fake weatherboard aged vinyl board flooring in light brown and whitewash mix -- it would tie in better with the cupboards and the new stainless oven and handles . I'd suspect my budget would have been within a couple of thousand of yours ? Likewise , I like the overall design of the living and bedroom areas , with the exception of the concrete -- too trendy , too cold IMO . Personally , I would have gone with beige or cream or maize carpet , maybe extending the kitchen 'aged weatherboard' vinyl flooring into the dining area . Then again , everyone has different tastes ....See More- 10 years agolast modified: 10 years ago
This is a close up of the tile.
and the photo below is to show where this fireplace situated in the room.
- 10 years ago
thanks Miranda and Jmm, I really into the Scandinavian style lately. I have 3 ideas in mind, the first one is to keep the fireplace and keep its functionality. so I would like to change the shelf to an pine timber as I the picture I showed below. It seems to be an easier option to go with, but I don't know how much would a nice looking gas fire heater cost?
my second thought is to convert it into a bench, either with or without storage underneath.By doing this, the benefit is that I don't need to worry about what alternative to replace the big worms that Im going to open up. like the second picture I found.
A third idea that just pop up in my mind is to get rid of this mantel and put in a wardrobe as it is the perfect place to put in wardrobe in this bedroom.
- 10 years agolast modified: 10 years ago
Thanks Sttop for your professional advice! you are exactly right about the timing of the house was built and how the gas heater was put in later and stuff. And I DO have chimneys on the roof. Just that there is no another room with corner fireplace. The room looks bigger in this real estate cosmetic photos, but it is only 3.6 * 4.7m, and the fact that i've purchased the library bed (as shown below) which is 265cm in length , if I put a wardrobe with 60cm in depth, it probably will leave very little space for me to move around the room.
But if I do want to keep this mantel and make it functional, it does give a little more warmth to the room. so instead of the corner wardrobe I showed earlier in my comment, I can put a small wardrobe (about 1.4m wide) against the wall next to the corner fireplace.
Cost-wise, which option is better?(making it back to working, and redo the tile and some cosmetic work of the surroundings vs. installing new wardrobe to cover it up)
10 years ago
10 years ago- 5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
Miranda S