When sourcing a fireplace that suits the style of your home, ask your neighbours to see if they still have the original fireplace in situ or search Rightmove for sold houses on your street and browse the images.
Although you might not be able to find the exact same design that would’ve been in your house, there are plenty of reclamation yards that can help you find a close match. Alternatively, check online selling sites for renovators who are ripping out fireplaces locally. You’ll get a better price if they need it out of the way quickly.
You can also look on auction websites such as eBay
If your home is Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian, there are a huge number of different styles to choose from during those eras. Late Victorian and Edwardian fireplaces usually had tiled inserts, which require a larger opening. Georgian styles often have urns, foliage or flower motifs, while you’ll see corbels in Victorian styles. In the 1930s, art deco was a big influence with sloping edges, rounded corners and geometric shapes commonplace. Visit thearchitecturalforum.com for more tips.
Many replicas are so good these days, it’s hard to tell them apart from the real thing. If you’re on a budget but still want to recreate the grandeur of the past, try The Morris Victorian-style fireplace from The Victorian Emporium at £607.20 or the Celtic Combination cast iron fireplace at £320 from Cast Fireplaces.
Top image by Katie Lee