When my dad came downstairs again I asked what he was up to. "I'm about to tear out the fireplace in the study." WHAT?! WHAT?! "NO!" I shouted! "You can't do that!"
The fireplace in the study is one of those charming original features of this house that some misguided fool already defaced. At one point it was a wood fireplace, but someone tore out part of the chimney to put in a bathroom vanity on the other side of the wall. If you tried to light a fire in there now you'd burn the house down. HOWEVER, the fireplace mantel is still pretty and it could easily be converted into a propane or electric fireplace, hence my concern. At any rate, my dad explained to me that the study was now going to become their bedroom, and the dining room would be their private sitting room (for when guests start arriving.) The study is small, so the fireplace would have to be torn out for the bed to fit. I did not approve of this plan.
My parents NEVER stop, but when they do they plant themselves in front of the fireplace in the current living room and watch television. The fireplace is key. It's on most nights from September to May. But THAT room is turning into the guest dining room, and I had this horrific vision of my mum spending the rest of her nights sitting sadly in front of the dining room fireplace. How upsetting!
SO I collected my parents and encouraged them firmly to leave the fireplace alone, turn the study into their sitting room and the dining room into their bedroom. We measured, speculated, spent the entire day moving furniture and guess what? The new plan worked, and the fireplace is still there and my parents now have a bedroom where the dining room used to be. PHEW! Are you confused? Here, I drew diagrams:
And THAT is the story of how Gillian saved a fireplace and inadvertently spent her day off moving furniture. I suppose virtue comes at a price ;) Unfortunately my parents figure that they can't afford a propane fireplace insert without having to get jobs at Tim Hortons, so if anyone is looking for a lovely "Bed and Breakfast Warming" present... might I suggest a propane fireplace insert? ;)Love,
Gillian
1 comment:
You could check the local papers for second hand inserts.
I just searched the web and halifax.kijiji.ca/f-propane-fireplace-buy-and-sell-W0QQCatIdZ10QQKeywordZpropaneQ20fireplace
came up with a few for around $5-600. I would probably pay a bit to have them inspected/serviced before buying/installing one, but it still comes out to much cheaper than new.
The trick is finding one that does not require the chimney to still be intact. The few I looked at use the existing chimney to vent waste gas and bring in fresh air for combustion. They are sealed systems, so other types may exist. Or you might be able to vent them out the side wall if the structure could handle it...
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