Project Overview
We were commissioned to restore a tired and damaged 120-year-old fireplace that had become an eyesore in the client’s kitchen. The goal was to bring the original feature back to life as a beautiful, sympathetic centrepiece while maintaining the historic character of the property.
The Challenge
Decades of use had left the fireplace heavily marked by fixtures, fittings, ornaments, and picture hangings. An unused fireplace on the adjacent wall and several old vents created an unbalanced and cluttered appearance. The original lime mortar had degraded, and matching replacement bricks were needed to repair damaged areas.
Our Solution
We delivered a comprehensive and sensitive restoration:
• Removal of Redundant Features: Carefully removed the unused fireplace on the adjacent wall and all old vents to create a clean, balanced look.
• Repair of Historic Damage: Repaired years of surface damage caused by fixtures, fittings, and wall hangings.
• Sourcing Matching Bricks: Salvaged exact replacement bricks from areas of the property that were being covered during the renovation, ensuring a perfect material and colour match.
• Traditional Lime Mortar: Removed all old, failing mortar and repointed using a period-correct lime mortar mix appropriate for a 120-year-old property.
• Brick Face Cleaning: Gently cleaned the face of the original bricks to reveal their natural beauty without damaging the historic fabric.
Every step was carried out with great care to preserve the fireplace’s original character while significantly improving its appearance and structural integrity.
Project Outcome
The restored fireplace has been transformed from an eyesore into a stunning focal point in the heart of the kitchen.
Client Testimonial
“We were quite worried at the beginning — the fireplace was a real eyesore. But the end result is fantastic. It’s now a beautiful centrepiece in our kitchen and everybody comments on it. It’s become a real conversation starter. We’re absolutely delighted with the work.”