What is the fireplace SUPPOSED to look like?
If you've seen the results of the living room demo, you've seen the result of a previous owner trying to eradicate the original fireplace, stained glass windows, original trim, mantle and built-in bookcases (with glass doors!) that this house used to contain.
They suceeded in destroying most of it.
We did find the built-in bookcases (in terrible condition) in the basement.
The stained glass windows were left behind with the rest of the many things scattered through all three floors of the house. The trim? The bookkcase doors? The mantel? The FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE??? Gone. Gone, gone, gone.
We've seen what this is SUPPOSED to look like as there are seven other houses on this block with a first-floor like ours. I don't have a picture of the fireplace in one of those other houses, so here is a close approximation courtesy of the book Bungalow Nation
As a reminder, here is what ours looks like right now this very minute.
So.
We have to figure out how to make do with what we have and restore something here. It's not going to look exactly as it was before. I can't imagine piecing together the brick face of the fireplace. But we're considering parging it and covering it with tile, a la my favorite fireplace from the Obama Family :)
A girl can dream, can't she?
Looking for More?
| Search for more on 'living_room' on this site. |
| Search for 'living_room' on on other houseblogs like this one. |
| Search for 'living_room' on Google. |
| Search for 'living_room' on Amazon.com. |
Cabinet Refacing:
Face Your Kitchen | Your Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Refacing |
Comments
Keep thinking, "Blank Slate". It would have been worse to uncover a complete fireplace that you didn't like.
Speaking of dreaming - I would go for a tile surround right from Moravian Tile:
http://www.buckscounty.org/government/departments/tileworks/index.aspx
Posted by: Aud | December 30, 2006 3:52 PM
I still can't believe that anybody felt that they must do this to a house. It's such...I don't know, I can't find the words.
I think that tile fireplace is beautiful though. Although it won't be like the original, I think it's prettier and looks more inviting. Maybe it's because Mrs. Obama is in the picture?
Posted by: Patricia W. | December 30, 2006 5:06 PM
I've stopped trying to fathom why some people have such a proactive sense of esthetic wretchedness. I mean, some people go to great lengths and expense to turn the Waldorf Astoria into a Holiday Inn.. All you've gotta do is look at some of the big bux Staten Island architecture to appreciate that. To paraphrase Fearless Leader, "havin' bad taste is hard work!"
Most of my renovation efforts here have been trying to rebuild what was once built and then either artlessly removed or obscured under layers of cheap, military base palette latex paint.
For instance, some previous owner removed the dramatic, raised-panel oak pocket doors to the living room. Then I guess they they still wanted their privacy so they installed a plastic, accordion-fold door that you might find in a house trailer.
I... just... don't understand it. If you don't like pocket doors, don't close them!
Posted by: BrooklynRowHouse | December 30, 2006 5:08 PM
my heart weeps for that fireplace. Why would someone do that?
Posted by: chris | December 30, 2006 9:09 PM
Talk to a mason first! I know of folks that have built new brick surrounds on old coal burning fireplaces (with beefed up framing underneath- which you already have). Get your chimney guy our- I bet it can be put back.
Carol
Posted by: Carol | December 31, 2006 8:18 AM
Oooh - I love tiled fireplaces!
If you do end up going the tile route, here are some additional tile makers/manufacturers worth checking out:
http://www.motawi.com/
http://www.featuretile.com/arts_crafts/
http://www.ravenstonetiles.com/
http://www.tottentileworks.com/
http://www.prattandlarson.com/
http://www.meredithtile.com/pages/nav.html
http://www.craftsmanhome.com/ceramics/compton/index.html
Good luck!
Posted by: Stephanie | December 31, 2006 10:08 PM
I myself and a BIG lover of tile on a fireplace. Putting a tile surround is no booby prize in my book- but it's not cheap. FYI- Motawi has a big sale a few times/year that might be useful to you.
Also, re: your last post about raising the joists to eliminate a sag in the 2nd floor- way 2 go! We were afraid of damage when we raised the basement posts/joists- but so far none. I'll cross my fingers for you too.
Posted by: Jocelyn | January 1, 2007 4:57 PM
As someone who lives in a basement suite with no daylight whatsoever, I'm quite baffled about why anyone would board up windows! (Or a fireplace either.) Very odd. I can't wait to see the beautiful restoration you guys do, it's going to be spectacular.
Posted by: LisaB | January 2, 2007 12:21 PM
We just tiled our fireplace! Stephanie has some excellent resources. Don't forget Laird Plumleigh tiles. They're beautiful! He has wonderful examples on the projects page of the site.
Posted by: Yo & Parker | January 3, 2007 11:56 PM
Oh yes - Laird Plumleigh - beautiful! Another one I forgot to mention is Handcraft Tile - they have some really gorgeous photos of past installations that might provide some inspiration! http://www.handcrafttile.com/
Posted by: Stephanie | January 5, 2007 12:27 PM
Sorry to hear your FP was buried for so long. Although restored masonry looks great, another option is to by a salvaged wood mantel. Near Chicago, there are some homeless mantels at islandgirlsalvage.com that I noticed the other day. Good luck!
Posted by: Jay | January 9, 2007 5:43 PM