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20’s Bungalow Fireplace Facelift Help

FishnFool | Posted in General Discussion on April 9, 2005 11:47am

I tried posting this in the House Chat forum with not a lot of responses. Someone there suggested this forum as it is frequented by contractors having more construction knowledge.

After years of living with it we are fed up and HAVE to do something with our fireplace.

This is a 1922 bungalow style house. The PO put up this horrendous paneling over the top of the fireplace. We are considering a couple different options:
1) Cultured Stone veneer from floor to ceiling; probably a flagstone material.
2) Slate over the bottom portion of the brick with a nice simple oak or mahogany board for mantle followed by GWB (over the masonry).
3) Slate or stone veneer on bottom, minimalist mantle with bead board paneling above.
There doesn’t appear to be any brick above the mantle under the existing paneling.
Any opinions/feedback would be most appreciated.

This will be a DIY project for myself who has little carpentry or construction experience.
Thanks

Here is a link to show the existing condition:
http://home.comcast.net/~taylorjohn541/Fireplace.jpg

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  1. IronHelix | Apr 09, 2005 02:14pm | #1

    Nice to see that you have a "before' picture!

    Next should be demolition of the wooden fascade so that you can take a picture so that we can see what it used to look like originally.

    Then I think we can brain storm with you about reasonable aesthetic choices that will match the bungalow style.

    In the meantime hit your local library, or a Borders or Barnes and Nobles book store and ask the clerk to show you where the books on houses and architectural styles are shelved.

    In that area you will find pictures of appropriate choices for your F/P renovation.

    I can't go with your cultured stone idea...it may end up as cheesy as what you have.

    Slate was not traditionally used in bungalow....usually brick, tile, & oak. Once again the books will foster your creative side.

    Probably want to consider the removal of the paint from the brick...not a fun job, but probable essential to the original theme type renovation.

    Keep us posted & happy hunting!

    ....................Iron Helix

     

    1. dIrishInMe | Apr 09, 2005 08:49pm | #3

      >> I can't go with your cultured stone idea...it may end up as cheesy as what you have. <<

      Some of the cultured stone stuff I've seen is very realistic - to the point where it was almost imposible to tell if it is real or not.  To me, the giveaway is when you look very clostly at a wall and see 2 "stones" that are exactly the same.  98% of people would never pick that up...

      Also, I though that stone facade fireplaces were very popular in bungolow type houses... Or at least I know they are in Craftsman style houses, a bungalow generally being a one story craftsman. Matt

  2. User avater
    BillHartmann | Apr 09, 2005 06:50pm | #2

    How much of a "bungalow style" is the other parts of the home? Are you specifically wanting to go back to that style?

    What kind of bungalow style? Sears kit, Chicago Brick, CA airplane?

    There are a large number of books out in the last few years on Bungalows/Arts&Craft/Mission/Craftsman style. Go to the library/bookstore should give you lots of authentic ideas if that is the direction that you want to do.

    A lot of fireplaces used field and river stone. But a true A&C home would have used whatever materials where common in that area.

    Here is another good resource.

    http://www.ambungalow.com/AmBungalow/home.htm

  3. mizshredder2 | Apr 10, 2005 06:05am | #4

    Sirfishalot - NICE FISH in that pic on the FP! LOL!

    oh yeah - your FP may just rival mine in the "aesthetically challenged" department...

    Please DO remove the wood atop and repost with jpgs of what you find beneath it.  You are very likely to get a lot more responses from this crowd once you've done that - and I for one, will be following the thread with my own selfish interest for the aforementioned reason!

     

    Of all the things that I have lost, I miss my mind the most! 

    1. MikeSmith | Apr 10, 2005 06:43am | #5

      sirfish..

      View Image

      take the wood off the top and post a better pic..

      it looks like plain brick , painted white, with some molding , would be an improvement

      or some white painted paneling..

      i think you have a white painted brick base.. so i wouldn't mix stone on topMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

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