Help with fireplace please!

[c223480]

Hello, I am new to this forum - I wonder if you can help me please.

I was a bit bored one evening and decided to destroy my horrible electric faux fireplace...finding this behind it

Image

• c223480
• 11 Oct 2016

Image

• c223480
• 11 Oct 2016

Right side

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• c223480
• 11 Oct 2016

Left side (with hole!)

Theleft hand side has a big hole in it and the right is very rough-bricks chopped in half. I'd like to just cover this all up (chimney not open and not having a real fire so don't need to worry about heat resistance etc) and then plaster and paint the alcove and the front part.
Has anyone got any ideas about how I could cover up the brickwork to make it smooth? I have tried using plasterboard but it is just not strong enough to create a 'box' out of for the recess (can you tell I'm a complete novice at diy?!) I can't see a way that I would be able to attach anything directly to the walls as they are so uneven.

There is also the added problem that the recess is not central in the chimney breast for some reason- so the 'Box' would need to be not central in the recess, but then what can I fill the gaps either side with?

Thank you for your patience with a clueless and probably overambitius newby!
Claire

 

[jj4091]

With due respect, plastering is not for novices ( if you want a good finish ). Ask a plasterer to do the whole job for you, I can't imagine it being horrendously expensive.

 

[c223480]

thanks. I wasn't planning on doing the plastering myself - just the background part so a plasterer would have something to plaster onto (trying to keep costs down!). but i think i will get someone in to look at it as it is, thanks though

 

[vinn]

What are you trying to accomplish with your opening/chimney breast?
At the moment you seem to be jumping the gun, thats if you have future proposals in mind.

If you research some back posts of mine (& others) on this subject you will be better informed as to whats what and maybe useful questions to put to anyone who has a look.

If you are serious about some proposal then call in a HETAS for an on site heads up.

 

[foxhole]

Plasterboard is ideal not sure what problems you are having fixing since it's just glued to the brickwork?
I used a slate tile to line a unused fireplace.

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• foxhole
• 27 Apr 2011
• 4