House in Progress Diary

You wonder what people were thinking when they decided to "modernize." What could possibly be so wrong with a fireplace and bookcases and stain glass windows that someone would replace them with WOOD PANELLING?!?!?! I am so excited about this project -- I've been waiting for 2 1/2 years for you to get to the fireplace. Keep these posts coming!

Is that what it looks like? Are 1/2 of the bricks broken out? OMG!

Wow! They couldn't just cover the fireplace up....NO! They had to what, beat it with a sledgehammer? Why , oh why?

Wow! This is the kind of post I read the blogs for. I am almost speechless. But I have to know: is the chimney still intact through the wall up past the roof? I am assuming it was a problem for the PO's to maintain, but why beat it to death and panel over it??? Were there small windows on either side of the fireplace? I can picture 2 small fixed stained glass windows above the bookcases. My own 1925 house used to have a minor chimney with a firebox either in the kitchen or back porch and they cut it off at the roofline.
You have inspired me to do a nasty demo project over Christmas. Thanks,
Carol.

my guess is that they did beat the poor fireplace with a sledgehammer, probably in an attempt to get rid of the bricks so they could install a more "stylish" fireplace. when the job proved too difficult, they gave up and covered their mess with panelling...much like a cat covers her mess with litter...

What a piece of work. An true WTF moment. Since all the "framing" around the fireplace is turned sideways (taking up a few inches less space), perhaps the raped your fireplace to reduce its profile to take up less space. Even if that is the case, I (like Carol) can not figure out why anyone would trade a fireplace, bookcases, and stained glass for cheap wood panelling. Amazing.

Oh they really just had to destroy it. The only positives I can try to grasp at are that you have the exterior of the chimney intact, and presumably it hasn’t been filled with concrete or some other substance. I predict you will find the best solution to salvage this, where someone else would not attempt it. I think (or hope) this looks worse than it is, since you knew the façade brick was missing, you must have anticipated re-facing this right? I should hope a mason can square this back up. It does seem abusive doesn’t it?! If I recall you do still have the built in shelves and stained glass in the basement, correct?

My guess is that the bricks you see were underneath the face of the original fireplace. It's probably just the raw front of the lower firebox and either a wood front or a decorative tile front was ripped or stripped off. Its a shame that the top of the firebox is broken since that will probably be the hardest piece to rebuild. This was probably done because the fireplace had issues so you're probably going to have to get it inspected and maybe install a flu liner. I've seen a few episodes of this old house where they use a rubber bladder and pour in a lightweight concrete to recoat the inside of the chimney. Question. does the furnace vent through the same chimney? i would get that inspected to make sure you arent taking on combustion gasses. I would love to see closer up pictures of the inside and the front. I'm hoping you can get it back to it's former glory.

This is my first post. Craig 1897 victorian turned prarie that has seen wave after wave of PO hell in roscoe villiage.

What happened? The "modern" mid-50s through mid-70s.

I see 3 estimates from masons in your future.

Wow, your POs have really outdone themselves. I was just checking out the flickr photos of Fixin' up the Bungalow, and it looks like they had a similar situation with their fireplace (which was also hidden behind a wall, but not nearly as stylish as your wood paneling).

Keep up the great posts! I am dying to see how this unfolds; we've been curious about your fireplace too.

I think Aaron's stance says it all.One of the comments describing it as rape also expresses it well.I wish you luck and next year at this time we hope to see pictures of christmas stockings hanging from a beautiful mantel.We have faith in you.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and remember a famous quote from down here "don't let the bastards get you down"

I feel like Charlton Heston in Planet of the Apes, "Damn them all!!! Damn them all to hell!!!!"

This is really a moment.

that's pretty sad but this reminds me of video game monsters. you keep destroying the little ones and at the end of a major phase you have the big one to defeat. i think the fireplace is the big monster. but i know you can bring it back. i can't wait to see how this develops. we're rooting for you. just think, next xmas you will have a fireplace. good luck!

Ouch - that's a tough break, to say the least. I'm so sorry to see that level of destruction.... maybe you'll find a tin of wadded up $100 bills and antique diamond jewelry inside it when you start to rebuild it. You HAVE to have some good karma coming your way one of these days!

I just landed her at your site while doing some architectural salvage searching, and just wanted to say, "Bravo". I and two partners own a company that does historic restoration work day in and day out. It seems you really understand the spirit of revitalizing and preserving the beauty and history in your home. May your efforts be blessed.

My heart goes out to you! My 1922 bungalow still has it's fireplace with the bookcases on the side but the glass front doors are long gone (along with the leaded glass french doors between the living and dining room) and the windows above the bookcases had been covered up when the previous owner added brick face to the exterior. Why, why, why? There are no answers only wishes of good luck for you and your "project"!