I tried to post a .jpg of the fireplace but could not. Anyway, my customer has a 1920s house with a grey firebrick fireplace she wants dressed up. Since I have no idea if they will ever use it for burning wood or natural gas, but she wants it niced up for her December 21 X-mas party. Anyone have any ideas?
At my age, my fingers & knees arrive at work an hour after I do.
Aaron the Handyman
Vancouver, Canada
Replies
What style is her house? Where I live, the three most popular styles in the 20s were Tudor revivals, Colonial revivals, and Craftsman Bungalows. The architectural style should influnce how you "dress up" the fireplace.
That said, you could probably build a surround for it out of wood, with or without a glazed tile field towards the center, which was also very popular around here in the 20s.
See if you can get that picture to upload! And if you're not sure of the style of the house, try to get a picture of the room (showing doors and windows in particular, if they're still original), and a picture of the front of the house.
Ragnar
Ragnar, hit me with your email address & I'll send you the pics
Mine is [email protected]At my age, my fingers & knees arrive at work an hour after I do.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
Aaron,
I got the pics, but they only show the firebox itself. Is your scope limited to working within the firebox? I was assuming she was going to have you work on a new surround, etc.
Ragnar
Flowers. Flower arrangement in the firebox. It's a good thing. It can be planned and finished in six days. It's a better thing.
Grassbur,
The flower arrangement sounds great, but don't forget some potpourri to make the occasion festive! ;)
Ragnar
The potpourri goes in a dish on the hearth.
Honestly, I think projects like this (fix my major problem, beautifully and inexpensively, in 24 hours) are hatched by people who watch those "instant decorator" shows too much.
Mac
Aaron,
I just read that you're from Vancouver. I'm from Seattle, so I think the 1920s styles here should be pretty similar where you're at.
Ragnar
U sure they aren't throwing me a surprise birthday party?
...I'm gonna need directions........
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Carpenters enter at the back entrance .....At my age, my fingers & knees arrive at work an hour after I do.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
even on my birthday?
man.....then I ain't gonna fix that fireplace....
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Hey Jeff, Happy Birthday!
Tell ya' what.
If you ever get around here, email me & you will have a great time at my place. You can even come in the front door!At my age, my fingers & knees arrive at work an hour after I do.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
I'd have it closely checked first by a certified fireplace inspector or chimney sweep doing a class 2 inspection before making any decisions - the results of the inspection may limit possible uses and thus dictate what can be done.
In my area, few fireplacess from that period of time can be used for anything. They were originally desigend for asbestos or ceramic heaters and have minute flues.
________________________________________________
"I may have said the same thing before... But my explanation, I am sure, will always be different." Oscar Wilde
Make a Fireboard to stand in front of it. Decorative Tole' painted pattern on a panel sized to face the thing and block drafts.
Heck, paint a vase of flowers on it, then you won't have to water them.
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit.
The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are."
--Marcus Aurelius