room! Where to start?
This is the state of (the art!) no, no, no, collapse fireplace!
I am tempted to suggest we open it up to see just what is behind. In the other corner is a gas boiler, who in their right mind thought here would be a good place for a thing of such ‘beauty’?
The palm is here as the Orangery was too darned hot for it. It looks forlorn, a lot healthier although not nearly so magnifico!
The funny different depth treads up the twisty stairs and there you have it.
Even me with a very vivid imagination is a tad stumped as to how to tackle it! It has the distinct possibility of becoming a cosy snug in the winter, however the cost of the fireplace opening up and re-siting (and where?) of the boiler will put a definite brake on proceedings. Giving me time to
get my thinking cap on.
All suggestions on a postcard please...
Oh and another thing just to get you in the mood all this is topped off with a very pronounced pong of drains, all in keeping with a cottage of this age I suppose... I just have to keep reminding myself not to empty the chamber pot out of the bedroom window...
As the mother of a gas engineer I do know gas boilers have to go on an outside wall, however I have to say that boiler looks very badly placed! It doesn't look from the photo like you could box it in to make it look like a nice cupboard. I also know its incredibly disruptive trying to move said gas boiler, so.... you're thinking cap will need to be well oiled me thinks. I have a palm very similar to yours, mine lives happily behind our settee in the north facing living room. I tried having it in the conservatory but as its south facing, it gets incredibly hot in summer, even if outside doesn't! Behind the settee is not necessarily the best place for it but its the only space large enough to accommodate it! It seems happy anyway, its never complained yet! Have fun designing! I look forward to seeing how you do it. x
ReplyDeleteI will send you a bucket of sand Marksgran, then from your settee you can sing us all a desert song... or maybe a dessert song?
DeleteLX
Did you forget you don't live beside the seaside any more?? lol. I'd like a dessert song thankyou. I'd like to think of a witty one but my mind is blank (some things don't change!) x
DeleteI've seen walled in Fireplaces before... even if I chose not to use one anymore for safety's sake, I'd still prefer it to be open and just pop some scented pillar candles in there for ambiance instead. I J'Adore Historic Homes, that Beam in your Ceiling is sublime!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. The problem is the whole fireplace is is in a sad state. A huge crack down the right hand side at the front and the mantelpiece is tipping forward. I think removal is what will have to happen on further inspection. I am wondering that there could be an old cast iron stove behind, which would be in keeping with the age of the cottage. Watch this space.
DeleteLX
Fortunately for you, this task is above my pay grade. Looking forward to your fine solution.
ReplyDeleteYour new residence Joanne has no such problems. I will be keen to see your new home when you have finally shaken down with all treasures unpacked and found a new home for. Exciting times some might say, although the older we get the novelty is beginning to wear thin, well for me at least!
DeleteLX
Hmmm....an interesting room ! How old is the cottage? It is of course possible that behind the blocked in fireplace there might be just a humungous pile of soot and dead birds that have fallen down the chimney. Sorry...feeling pessimistic this morning...must the persistent rain. Not looking forward to 2 wet dogs soon. I think I would def. " box in" that boiler...bit of an eyesore isn't it? I too have that palm....mine is a bit smaller, but " denser" It lives happily in the back room, that just happens to be the coolest place in the house...only gets sun first thing .
ReplyDeleteHmmm... double Hmmm!?! The cottage is 300 years old and I totally agree about the soot and dead birds, however the whole shebang is in a state of collopse and needs some TLC. This is just the sort of thing I enjoy although there are so many other directions in which to channel my enthusiasm. You pessimistic? Never!
DeleteLX
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