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The Old HouseDesign DilemmaFireplaces
donna_kimbrough54

1905 Fireplace restoration

5 years ago

I am restoring one of the fireplaces in our 1905 home. I started by striping off multiple layers of paint, both the wood mantle and surround, as well as the cast iron frame. There was beautiful tin insert on the front, both decorative and practical. I say was, because while stripping the paint off I decided that the caulk around the edges needed to go and be redone as well. I had no idea that this would uncover the original coal burning fireplace, complete with grate (although rusty) and a few small pieces of coal plus ashes still there! No one even cleaned it up prior to sealing it up.


My question is this--do I keep the original and just clean it up, or do I paint the brick and the cast iron grate?




Featured Answer
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Have a reliable chimney company come put in a stainless steel chase. Very easy . We opened two fireplaces in our last 1890 home and added Victorian gas coal basket inserts. We already had two done by the previous owner . We had the Summer covers and used them . In this 1910 house only one of the two fireplaces needed a new chase. Paint the cast iron and cover shiny black. Get a chase placed and a gas insert and you will have a beautiful warm home.

    I’m trying to find a coal basket and cover for this second fireplace. I have an extra cast iron surround. This one has logs the first one has special artificial coals that are really authentic looking



    Comments (16)

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