Fireplace Lowdown

Fireplace or Porthole? Check Out This Design

Since I'm writing my last post here for the year, I thought it'd be nice to feature a modern, maybe even futuristic, fireplace as we go forward into 2008.

I think the Oggifocus, a wall fireplace from Euroflues, falls into that category:

"Named for the Italian word for "today," the Oggifocus stands as a tribute to Italy's tradition of modern, high design. The Oggifocus is remarkably contemporary and outrageously unconventional, yet retains all the noble characteristics of a welcoming hearth-thermal efficiency, security, and a strong presence."

There is no mention of portholes in the description, but that's what it reminds me of--more of a window into an incendiary world than any fireplace you're probably familiar with.

There's no word on price on the company's site, but you can inquire there for more information on the unit.

Oggifocus

Custom Fireplace Screens with Nature Themes

If you've got a wood-burning fireplace, a fireplace screen is a good idea.  Screens keep sparks from flying out, and they also keep small hands from going in (in case you've got children in the household). 

While there's a practical reason to have a fireplace screen, there are plenty of decorative ones too.  You can find pieces that add interest to the room, and you can even have custom made pieces done that reflect your interests and personality.

For example, if you're a nature lover, you may be interested in some of the screens done by the folks at Nature Rails.

The one shown here is called "Fighting Bucks." The company has other animals too and you can also see examples of screens featuring natural scenery up on the site.

Modern Diamond-shaped Fireplace

I've always enjoyed the clean lines of modern design, and I'm always oohing and aahing at some of the modern fireplaces I see coming out these days.  This diamond-shaped wall-mounted fireplace from Arkiane is no exception.

It's called the Sésame, and the company named it after the "magic formula which opens the door to extraordinary treasures.  Its main original feature is a movable hearth. By a simple gesture, Sesame opens from the bottom so that you may appreciate the beauty of its flames. Just as easily, you may close the hearth to surround your thousand and one nights in warmth."

I don't know about that, but it definitely looks cool.  Definitely not your parents' fireplace.

Check out Arkiane's home page to see more modern fireplaces by the company or get more details on the one shown here.

Handcrafted Terra Cotta Pizza Oven for Outdoor Cooking

If you love the idea of having a pizza oven or doing other cooking outdoors with wood fire, then you may dig this hand-crafted terra cotta oven.

"Our authentic European wood-fired oven infuses everything it cooks with a kiss of smoky goodness, producing tender and flavorful fish, meat, vegetables, breads—and the most fantastic pizza we’ve tried yet. This rustic oven becomes a focal point of your garden or terrace and a hub of activity when entertaining. Fueled by hardwoods and fruitwoods, heat builds up in the internal oven chamber and dissipates slowly through the cooler outer shell."

Just about everything you need to get started is included: oven, door, stand, oven rack, cover, pizza paddle and brush.  Just add wood and some pizza dough, and you're ready to go.

Alas, snazzy pizza ovens don't come cheap.  The price is $2,000 from Sur la Table.

Corner Gel Fuel Fireplace Looks Like the Real Deal

Gel fuel fireplaces are different from wood-burning, gas, and electric fireplaces.  Instead of burning wood or running on gas or electricity, their flames feed on little cans of, well, "gel" fuel. 

These cans are nice because it's easy to just let one burn for the evening without having to worry about dragging wood in from the garage.  Also, you don't have to worry about making a mess.  And unlike gas fireplaces, which cost upwards of $2000 when you figure in installation, it's relatively inexpensive to buy a gel fuel fireplace that includes the surround.

The corner fireplace shown here runs about $400 at HomeClick.  Of course, you also have to buy cases of gel fuel (you can get a pack of 24 cans for just under $80).  It's a good idea to pick that up the same place you order your fireplace, because gel fireplaces are still catching on, and it can be hard to find cans of fuel at local shops.

Take a closer peak at this fireplace:

Southern Enterprises Inc “Linda” Corner Fireplace

Electric Fireplace with Green Flames

One of the complaints people often have with electric fireplaces is that the flames just don't look real, not like in a wood-burning fireplace and not even as good as in a gas fireplace.  Instead of worrying about creating realistic flames, maybe the creators of electric fireplaces should just buck the trend and do their own thing.

That must have been the idea behind the Rushden hand-crafted electric freestanding fireplace, because it has four settings for four different colors of flames.  Yes, one of them is green.  The other three options are red, white, and blue (how patriotic of them).

To further the feeling of insouciance, the flames come forth not from logs or fake charcoal but from a bed of colorful marbles.

From http://wittus.com/

Add an "Old Western Campfire Grill" to Your Firepit

If you've got a firepit in your backyard, you're probably already enjoying it this summer.  It's pleasant to sit around a fire on a nice summer evening, basking in the warmth of the flickering flames.  But what if you could grill some hot dogs on that sucker too?

This Old Western Campfire Grill is a tripod and grill that can be positioned over your firepit to mimic the setup cowboys used when driving their herds of cattle across the range.  They fried their steak and eggs (I don't think hot dogs were invented until later) and kept their coffee warm.  Now you can do the same thing in your backyard.

The setup is available from Fire Science for $129.

Cute California Wagon Firepit

If you're shopping around for a firepit this summer, this California Campfire pit is a cute one.  Placed inside a teak wooden wagon, it's designed to vent hot air out the top while drawing cool air in at the bottom.  This keeps the wood surfaces and wood frame cool to the touch.  The firepit is also safe to use on decks or outdoor rugs without a fireproof mat underneath.  Since it's portable, it can also be taken camping or on the road with you.

The wooden firepit is available for $650 from Yardiac:

Teak California Campfire

$3,000 Decorative Pine Cone Firepit

If you haven't purchased a firepit for summer entertaining yet, here's one that embraces the outdoorsy nature theme.  Handcrafted from iron, it has a pine cone design and stands on a tree-branch-styled base. The top can be removed to reveal a stainless steel grill rack, so you can cook your hot dogs and hamburgers the old fashioned way, over wood embers instead of with gas or charcoal.  And don't forget the matching pine-cone-themed tool set.

The firepit is on the pricey side though, coming in at nearly $3,000 plus shipping.  But, hey, at least the tool set is only $275.

Horchow

Celtic Phoenix Fireside Bellows, Attractive & Functional

Though I love fireplaces, fire pits, and just about all things fire-related, I must admit that I don't have a bellows of my own.  (I'd probably make better fires if I did.)

If I were going to get one, it'd be fun to get one with an attractive design.  This Celtic Phoenix bellows caught my eye when I was browsing at Etsy.

"This set of fireside hand bellows would look lovely in any fireplace to help you keep warm in the winter months. The bellows has a phoenix design in an entwined Celtic style. The design is a mixture of pyrography and engraving, which creates a lovely contrast with the rich mahogany colour of the wood."

$45 gets you one from the Wood Tattoos Shop