bluekarin Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 (edited) We have a pretend wood burner http://www.firesonline.co.uk/acatalog/Dimplex_Springborne_Electric_Stove.html and we want to make it more of a focal point in the room. Now, we have no chimney breast, it's just in front of a flat wall. We have put it on a slate type hearth http://www.dimplex.co.uk/products/fires_surrounds/accessories/hearth_pad/index.htm and are wondering which way to go re a surround. The choice is either a mantle shelf like this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SOLID-PINE-MANTLE-SHELF_W0QQitemZ230394695424QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_HG_FireplacesMantelpieces_RL?hash=item35a4980f00#ht_1036wt_734 or have a fire surround http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hand-Made-Solid-Oak-Fire-Surround-Mantelpiece-Horbury_W0QQitemZ170402119519QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_HG_FireplacesMantelpieces_RL?hash=item27acc1ff5f#ht_2026wt_960 Many thanks Edited May 12, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I'd go for the mantle shelf, personally. Both options give you a bit of storage, but one is pretending to be something it's not. Even if the difference is only marginal, the extra wood uprights make for more nooks and crannies to have to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I would go fire surround, as will make it more of a focal point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I think a fire surround too. It will give the fire a "nook" to sit in. Yes definitely a focal point. I think these fires look equally nice without either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I went for the surround as well - more of a focal point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I voted the surround too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I vote the surround too. I'd love a new fireplace, I currently have a surround and hearth with a tiled back, but a great big hole where the fire should be. The horrid gas fire that was there when we moved in was quickly condemned and taken away - that was over 3 years ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 We have a wood burner - put in a slate hearth and a surround that looks almost identical to the one you have displayed. I go for the surround - it looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Definitely the fire surround - picture it with an xmas garland all round it at xmas - wonderful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 We have a solid fuel stove, and have neither a surround nor a mantel shelf. In our last house, where we did have a mantel, it kept getting used as a dumping ground for keys, letters behind the clock, etc, and it drove me mad. I have a picture on the chimney breast, as I think it looks too naked without anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 I went for the shelf - I thought it look more inkeeping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 Thank you all for your replies and views. I'm glad that you went for what I wanted which was the fire surround Hubby wanted the shelf, but I thought it loked slightly odd and like it was just hanging inthe air. Whereas the surround would give it some grounding. Anyhoo, my lovely dad is going to make it for us He's just been over and showed us some wood that he could make it out of so fingers are crossed we might have it in time for Christmas! Only a year late; it was meant to be our Christmas pressie to each other last year It must be an age things as I am rather ridiculously excited about getting a fire surround Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 I think a fire makes a room. I'm sure it will look lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 I voted shelf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted May 12, 2010 Author Share Posted May 12, 2010 We have just installed my new fire surround that my lovely Dad, with help from my mum, made for us on the Bank holiday Monday just gone. He made the frame and I have spent the past couple of days staining it and waxing. Cheated a bit on the back plate - bought some black cotton drill fabric and staple gunned it on. But really, its all a cheat - electric wood burner on a mock slate hearth pad Hope you can see the link - let me know if there are any problems and I'll pop it on Photobucket. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=162187&id=622391762&l=3799dbf8e8 I am so pleased we have finally got it I have been looking for one for about 5 years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Ooooooooooh very classy.Looks lovely and cosy. Love the chook too Is that a rubber plant on the mantle? I haven't seen one of those since my undergrad days A long time ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 It looks lovely ! What a handy Dad to have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted May 12, 2010 Author Share Posted May 12, 2010 It certainly is a rubber plant. It was a cutting I took from one given to us as a wedding pressie. And the lovely rooster is my christmas crafty swap from off here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Looks lovely, wel done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
