Antique fireplace uncovered
Last year when we returned to Nelson we set about renovating our old 1914 villa. The master bedroom was a priority: it still had its original sarking and scrim on the walls, which had to be replaced with wallboard; there was an ugly art deco fireplace (its chimney had been sealed off long ago); a couple of shallow, poorly designed wardrobes; the list went on.
Our builders were great, fast and very quality conscious. I was working next door in my office when I heard excited shouts from Harry, the foreman. Behind the art deco fireplace, they had uncovered a wonderful old cast iron fireplace in remarkably good condition. Here’s the scene minutes after the discovery:
