Non working fireplace - what to do with it?

13 years ago

We have a beautiful marble fire place in our dining room (we are currently redoing the room). It is not functioning, and pretty smoke stained from whenever it was actually functioning.

There is also a small tile area in front of it. I don't like the tile that is there now, but not sure what to change it to that would match the floors.

The dining room style is going to be somewhat formal, but not really traditional. We purchased Thomasvile Spellbound dining table and buffet, and our painting the walls Benjamin Moore Sherwood Tan. Picture of the chandelier is also attached.

Thank you!!

Featured Answer

pcmom1

13 years ago

Replace the floor tile with marble. And, as mentioned, fill the firebox with various pillar candles or birch logs. Beautiful feature to have in your dining room!

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Comments (9)

Martha Schmidt
13 years ago
Fill it with candles. Or place some nice wood logs just for looks.
PRO
HERE Design and Architecture
13 years ago
It is a lovely fireplace and seems like it would work nicely with your new furnishings. The least expensive thing to do would probably be to clean it and close the flue to avoid the draft. I have heard of firebrick being painted - don't know how that works. One thing that bothers me about working fireplaces in dining rooms is that they are often too close to the furniture - and lucky for you, you don't have that problem. :)
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PRO
Hummingbird Designs
13 years ago
Stagger tall and short candles ( work with 5 - 7) depending on size of space. When you feel romantic light them up ;) You will need the pillar style candles.
PRO
Barnhart Gallery
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I'd fill this:
http://www.rubylane.com/item/786580-1121181/Weller-Woodcraft-Log-Planter
with this:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=snake+plant&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=snake+plant&sc=8-11&sp=-1&sk=

I do love candles, but I'd worry about someone's skirt going up in flames with the proximity to the furniture.
PRO
Scott Design, Inc.
13 years ago
Consider honed carrara mini-brick mosaic with grey grout for hearth. Although it is white and grey like the fireplace surround, the grout will provide a darker grey coloration to anchor the fireplace while staying within the same stone. Then place an antique fire basket (typical in turn-of-the-century homes) in the opening for unique conversation piece. They are quite decorative and are made in both brass and iron. http://www.homefiresusa.com/specifications.asp
PRO
Bravehart Interiors
10 years ago
If you want a 'functioning fire' you can add a gas log set inside the existing fireplace box.

We use them all of the time on projects with these site conditions.

There are smaller log sets provided by different gas fireplace and insert manufacturers.
Check you local retailers of gas fireplaces and they will know how to modify your wood burning unit into a gas fireplace!

There are a few considerations - the cost is high as you will require a new chimney liner to work with new gas log set.

If you live in a very cold climate (as we do) you will need some custom glass doors to close when the unit is not turned on.

The beauty of having a gas log set is that there is no muss, no fuss. They operate via remote and provide wonderful ambiance to a room without any noise, smoke, etc.
Mon
10 years ago
What a beautiful fireplace! Replacing the hearth will make a big difference. I would concentrate more on coordinating the new hearth with the mantle & surround than with your existing flooring.

A new slab of a similar marble would be lovely. If it proves too difficult to find, I think a black slab hearth would work well with the grey veining in the mantle.

An inspiration photo for the new hearth

http://houzz.com/s/m=7/u=L3Bob3Rvcy8yNTIxMjc3OC9UYW55YS1DYXBhbGRvLURlc2lnbnMtdmljdG9yaWFuLWxpdmluZy1yb29tLW90aGVyLW1ldHJv
Mon
10 years ago
We are also renovating our historic fireplace, my Ideabook of photos might help...

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/70487566/thumbs/historic-fireplaces

Also, I like Scott Design's idea for the insert. One of our non-working fireplaces has one.