Wednesday, January 27, 2016

The Library Fireplace


When we first looked at our house, I noticed that the fireplace in the library was sealed with bricks. This is often seen in old homes but I never really understood why. I suppose that there are many reasons. In our case, the fireplace chimney was being used as the exhaust for the front house furnace system. 

Late into our renovation, we realized that we would need to update the heating system throughout the house, transitioning from oil to propane. This meant that this hearth could go back to being a fireplace, which made me very happy! 


Here's the fireplace after it had been primed as we had been intending to paint it white to blend in with the paneled wall. 

Yesterday, our mason Edward started to remove the brick enclosure. 

One brick at a time...

As the bricks came away, the flue liner for the old boiler could be seen. 


Another old duct was concealed as well. Thankfully, due to this chimney once being a furnace vent, it has a Grade A Liner. So the chimney itself is pretty much ready to go. 

There will be some needed repairs to the inner hearth floor however, where the two ducts broke through. 

I dream of the day when we are living in our house and sitting in front of the fire. We've been through such a long renovation with so many unexpected twists and turns that sitting down and relaxing in front of the fire will be tremendously symbolic for us. 

30 comments :


  1. Over the years, my husband and I bought old houses and made them new and beautiful again. Even an old apartment in Argentina.
    But they were never as extensive as what you are doing and I remember how fed up and tired of it all, I got. I can only imagine how much you would like to be done with this and sitting and relaxing in front of the fire.
    It will happen. you will look back and smile and be so proud. And glad it is over :)

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    1. Yes, we are quite exhausted at this point. It's just a lot of work, a lot of decisions, and it takes a whole lot of time. Thanks for the encouragement! Best, Catherine

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  2. It is so important keeping those love images as a focal point, when the task seems endless - it has an end, and that will be so lovely. The chimney looks lovely with its old panelling.

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  3. We have similar fireplaces - 4 total. Two were converted to coal burning at some point and are bricked-up behind the exterior grate. A third one was used in the 1970's, but needs to be re-flued so that we do not burn down our home! The fourth one - in our bedroom- has plywood over it that is painted black. (Pics here: http://theoldpostroadblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/fireplace-surround-before-and-after.html ). We need to be brave and take the plywood off and see what lies behind it! Our kids' rooms, upstairs, have the chimneys going thru the middle of their rooms. When we took the sheet rock off the chimneys, we found a hole for a flue - probably for an old stove that warmed the room - we are guessing there were once borders that lived upstairs (here is a pic http://theoldpostroadblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/progress-sort-of.html ). Our home was built in the 1850's - we think.

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    1. Oh my, what a beautiful job you've done! I have to tell you that it is somewhat comforting to look at other people's renovations. Perhaps it's a reminder that there is light on the horizon! Best wishes, Catherine

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  4. Oh wow! That is fantastic, and so beautiful! I love our fireplace and you certainly deserve a quiet evening by the fire. The renovation is coming along, and it's revealing so much beauty that comes from these old homes. The wait will bemore than worth it!

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  5. SOMEDAY ALL OF THIS WILL BE BUT A MEMORY - YOU WILL BE SO GLAD YOU SPENT THE TIME TO DO THE PROJECT CORRECTLY.
    CHERISH EACH DAY

    REBECCA

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    1. Yes we try and remind ourselves that we are putting so many tasks behind us and look forward to one day having the whole process be a distant memory!

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  6. How wonderful! I love old fireplaces and yours is going to look awesome!

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  7. So wish this were my rentavation.
    I love the feel of your old home, really can't wait to see it completed.
    Another great 250 year old home Reno is Elizabeth Maxsom where women create she has been sharing the steps of what she is doing and it's a home that will floor all with all she is doing, so between your home and hers I am in jealous mode here! :))

    See you soon.
    Xx
    Dore

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    1. Do you have her link, I couldn't find it! Would love to see her renovation. Best, Catherine

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    2. I think Burlap Luxe means here: http://elizabethhousestlouis.blogspot.com/2010/05/creative-company.html

      ~Elizabeth (not the same Elizabeth as the one in St. Louis!)

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  8. Soon and very soon my friend. Hang in there.
    xoxo
    Lisa

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  9. Keep those wonderful images of sitting in front of the fire in your head, they will keep you going. I think at this stage it all gets long and tedious, you just want it to be over; I know, I've been there with this house in France. Soon it will be and it will all be worthwhile, it looks as if it is going to be so fantastic and the last part seems to always take twice as long as the first! Keep up the fabulous work and keep smiling!

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  10. This room is going to be so lovely and cozy! All the original character is there and I can imagine that having a working fireplace will be such a treat.

    And how fortunate that it already has an up-to-code liner. That was a major headache in my 1880s home. Long story short, we have a fireplace but the flue is only 4". We spoke with several masons and unfortunately there is no liner that will work in a flue that narrow. We were very disappointed to learn that our fireplace won't ever be functional. I will just enjoy your fireplace restoration all the more!!

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    1. We will do gas logs in all but one of our fireplaces. It burns cleaner, they'll be used more and we won't have to have them lined (the three others). Lining a chimney is very expensive and as you've found out, sometimes, it isn't enough.
      Best, Catherine

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  11. I can't wait to see it! Pure love, and great taste goes into all your work.

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  12. I just let out a huge sigh, I can see such potential and beauty in this room. What a wonderful step forward, it is going to be lovely.

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  13. Is that your spinning wheel? I had a friend say once that there's so far to go but just think how far you've come. If you plotted out a time line, you are way past the mid point, yes? Next Christmas will be here before you know it and you can hang stockings by the chimney with care!

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    1. Hi Vicki,
      The spinning wheel is from the previous owner. The photo is one of the very first photographs I took of our almost-ours house. And yes, we are at the end of our 'to do' list. It's the phase of putting things back - paint, seal floors, add lighting, kitchen and baths, etc.
      Best, Catherine

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  14. It's like uncovering buried treasure. How lovely it will be to return it to its original beauty.

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  15. What a pleasure it is to view all your hard work on this house. Ours is not as old (1890s) but we have 5 fireplaces and only one has a liner. The others are gas logs and we enjoy them just as much. Thanks for sharing all lovely pictures so we can dream along with you. Vicki in Louisville Ky

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  16. Catherine, you have shown us many photos over the years featuring this particular courageous-in-the-face-of-battle lady. I'm sure you've given her sisterly taps on the shoulder throughout 2 whole-house renovations, probably never moreso than now. The two of you are beautiful, powerful, smart, intrepid, and spirited. Here's to you and Joan/Jeanne! <>

    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZD0HfKVEzQk/Uznn5NtwBtI/AAAAAAAANzc/XU7ZYhoHao8/s1600/5299.jpg

    -Flo
    Amelia Island FL

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    1. Thank you so much Flo! I will go and have a chat with her right now!
      Warm regards, Catherine

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  17. I'll be so happy for you guys when you are relaxing in front of that beautiful fireplace as well. I'm wondering, is propane something that is piped in or do you have it delivered like oil. Also, wanted to tell you that I recently painted my office, opal essence, b/c I loved it in your first house. I'm really enjoying it! linda r (phila burbs)

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    1. Yes, propane is delivered like oil. The tanks are kept outside and piped in through copper pipes. Best, Catherine

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  18. All the houses we've owned had at least one fireplace. We really enjoy the ambiance - and warmth - it adds to a room. It will be fantastic to bring this one back to its glory.

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  19. This is one of dream project to bring fireplace into living room.

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  20. All of the detail you showed in your words and pictures is impressive and informative. Thank you! We have a country house outside Winnipeg that we are restoring, and what you have shown here no has me inspired to think about what my husband and I might have, if we did something similar with our bricked-over fireplace.

    Carry Scanlon @ Chim Chimney

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine

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