That is a beautiful little fireplace - especially the tiles. The only thing you might want to change at all would be the color of the mantel itself; you could consider something that matches your decor, I suppose, but that said, the current color seems to match the marble rather well.

I would change the ugly tiles as they do not match the fireplace style or hearth. You can find tiles that suit your style and taste from a number of shops. Goodle mexican tiles: you can inject a lot of fun, colour and style into that fireplace for the cost of a few tiles.

@The Long Gallery and TB - it is clearly a reproduction or at best a poorly refurbished fireplace. The tiles are modern: I have seen them for sale, something like Victorian Floral blue or daisy pattern, you have access to google so can easily find it. They just slot in when you unscrew the fireplace (note the shiny screws on either side of the fireplace). Ergo my comment about changing the tiles is valid and a good solution.

The existence of screws does not necessarily indicate that this is a reproduction, though it may be. I've seen old fireplaces attached to a wall with screws as well, when the original bond began to fail.

There is nothing wrong with the way this fireplace looks; if you prefer contemporary styles, that's fine. Why don't you search under "Aesthetic Movement Fireplace" and you will see quite a few tiled fireplaces that look very much like this one. Even if it is a modern reproduction - and it's not "clear" that it is - it's a good one, and consistent with the style.

The style is what it is; the owner must decide whether they like it or not.

I take it you don't use it, as there's no ash can or cover plate. I love it, it's beautiful, the only thing i don't like is the marble hearth as they just don't belong together, I would imagine, that the original tiles or concrete have been hacked out and that put in it's place as it's flush with the floor, where the originals would have been. You could put 'Soot tiles' ( dark grey, reclaimed tiles ) over the top with a little wooden surround to match your lovely floor - reclaimed timber obviously - something with a bit of character! - not straight out of wickes .

You can buy them in quite a few places but here's one such place :- Gris Tiles

If you really don't like the blue and white it's possible to get sets of reclaimed tiles - Bert & May, that sell the grey tiles sell those too, as do the reclaimed tile company

Reclaimed timber is available all over the place !

They should match in size those of the fireplace so that they compliment each other, and being from the same period, cannot fail to look authenic. I've done similar a few times.............

Thanks all, I am not sure how old or new the fireplace is as it was here when we moved in a month or so ago and didn't have any info from the previous owner. I think it is the marble that bothers me more than anything, so Man About The House, I'll definitely look into your suggestion.

Regarding the blue tiles, I'm undecided. Think I might do the rest of the room then reconsider. Does anybody know how easy they are to replace if we did decide to? Is it something we could do ourselves?

Does anybody else think the silver colour is a bit odd? I was wondering if it would be better darker and if so, how I could make it darker?

The last one i put in was Pewter, looked lovely against the green, but equally as beautiful against the dark blue on the tiles. Correct me if i'm wrong, but i think the only way is to slot the tiles in from the top when the fireplace is away from the wall! So, no not an easy job!

If you don't like the tiles you can get tile stickers to better reflect the rest of the room/house style. For decorating you could add some decorative logs, candles, books, anything really that matches with your personal style.

Hi Gina,

I think the hearth is wrong in marble, and I'd suggest a simple slate hearth which will work with the surround and tiles.

Have you decided how you'll decorate the room yet, traditional or modern?

It'd help if you work on a scheme for the room, as this will then dictate what you do with the fireplace. If you are happy to keep the tiles, I'd try and work with them, maybe paint the walls in Farrow & Ball Drawing Room Blue, accented with a crisp white (All White), dark colours can look fantastic both for daytime and evening with the correct lighting.

Good Luck, I hope you manage to find something you love.

Same comment from me as everyone else seems to be saying, I'd leave the fireplace exactly as it is, there are not many homes nowadays that have the original features in them and this seems to be an original part of your home so try to keep it as it is if you can. Maybe think about changing the colour of the wall behind it or maybe getting something to go on top of the fireplace where you have your welcome cards at the moment. Would be nice to see what you decide in the end though!

I like the fireplace. Since I don't have photos of the entire room and I don't know you tastes I can tell you what I would do personally. I would change the colour of the wall, I would try a much lighter tin of blue/grey, remove the cars and replace them with candle holder photo frames and precious dark blue to match the tiles. Above everything I would add a big mirror in a fancy shape, why not a a modern mirror to create a contrast that makes the room more vibrant.

and if the budget permits I would cover the wood floor with a carpet either blue as the tile or grey. I hope it helps

silvia

I am not keen on the tiles but I wouldn't put modern ones in but a nicer design but overall I like it.

I too think this either repro or heavily refurbished; it's just too 'clean'. I'd put a rich wallpaper on that wall - a modern take on William Morris,maybe? The fireplace would sit more comfortably in a more era-related colour other than white.

Its beautiful treasure it

I'd leave it just the way it is, especially if its the original and instead focus on decorating the living room. Its part of the history of the house and while it may not be to our 'modern' tastes its beautiful in its own way.

The fireplace itself is lovely, I think it's the marble hearth that doesn't sit well. It's certainly not original. As Man About The House says it would have had a lovely tiled hearth originally. If the hearth has been replaced it's likely the fireplace is either a repro or not original to the house.

If you don't like the finish on the fireplace that's easy enough to paint (we've had to refit all our fireplaces as the originals were all ripped out. As they are sadly all decorative rather than useable - they also removed the chimney stack! - we just used metal paint).
If you're not keen on the tiles they are quite simple to replace. We purchased a set from a company called Architectural Decor and I would definitely recommend them: http://www.architecturaldecor.co.uk/collections/period-fireplace-tiles

Personally I'd change the hearth first to a slate one and then go from there.

Good luck and if you change anything upload some photos :)

Hey Gina, let me save you all that hard work and effort, I will take it please. No probs with collecting. Thank you.

Its beautiful - don't change it. I would try painting the skirting board to match the hearth and the pewter colour, this would anchor the fireplace, which at the moment looks a bit 'stuck on' and uncomfortable.

to paint the walls of a dark colour as someone has suggested it wouldn't be s bad idea. Just check the room orientation before choosing the colour

I agree with the many who have pointed out that the hearth is out of keeping and I think replacing that would help immensely. I'm probably in the repro or refurbished camp regarding the fire surround - just a bit too new looking. However, it's still handsome and with a carefully picked hearth and wall colour could look great. Quite liked the navy blue suggestion for the wall.

I would change the marble - get a pewter hearth plate to match the fireplace. pickout the blues in a great piece of art above the fierplace

We removed the hearth (fed up with stubbing toes! -

Hi there, I think the Long Gallery's comments were interesting, have you noticed that all his photos of original fireplaces have 2 colours in them, I think that yours is probably is an original, the tiles are great. I think the problem might be the overall colour of the fireplace. It seems very metallic in the photos. Is there any way you can scrape a little paint off and see what the original colour was? I think the panel above and surrounding the tiles might have been a lighter shade than the frontispiece/mantelpiece and columns. I would rethink the marble too, lots of ideas suggested above. Good luck!

Hi, I believe this fireplace is an original. It is the same style we have had in stock before and dates to Circa 1890. It has clearly been restored and the cast iron surround polished. Not a traditional technique, but popular with clients looking for a contemporary twist to a period feature. Originally the surround would have been painted, and most likely painted to look like wood (see below). However I wouldn't suggest doing this now.

Now on the great tile debate, I'm pretty certain they are reproduction tiles although impossible to say for certain from that picture alone. The late Victorians and Edwardians weren't using such a deep vibrant blue as on the 'spacer tiles'. To change them the fireplace does need to be removed from the wall, but as the screws are clearly new this shouldn't be a problem. They slot into cast iron racks on the back which will be held onto the main frame with square nuts. The tiles will then be plastered into the racks. Messy and time consuming but quite simple. If you are not intending to use the fireplace then re fitting is as simple as putting the screws back.

I would take this opportunity whilst the fireplace is off the wall to replace the marble hearth. its not nice and does nothing for the fireplace. A simple honed black slate oiled would look fabulous. In fact if you did nothing else, change the hearth, take the fireplace off the wall, lift the marble and replace with slate, or honed or leathered granite. If you are planning on using the fireplace you will need more advise on the construction of the hearth, but I wont bore you with this now!

And yes, you're missing the ash tidy below the bars, but this is nothing to be concerned with.

Hope this helps.

Nick

https://www.nostalgia-uk.com

I like the couch

Changing the tiles to a bright splash of colour with matching tiles on the floor is a great idea from Jenna! It looks great!

Hello Gina,

I'm in accord with anyone who discusses replacing the hearth and that goes for both of those fireplaces.. Slate is really all you need.. : ))

Don't do anything, it's beautiful