Fireplace Lowdown

Stone Fireplace Examples (pictures)

If you're building a new fireplace or refacing an existing one, it's hard to be stone for the look of lasting luxury.  What kind of stone should you use though?  What style? Should you have a surround or mantel carved from one solid piece?  Or perhaps stone tiles would do.  Maybe you're still in the deciding phase.  If so, I've put together a few pictures of stone fireplaces from various companies around the web.  These should give you some ideas:

Stone Fireplace #1

This the "Executive Preson" stone fireplace from Mission Stone. 

The company specializes in rustic limestone mantels and surrounds in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes.

You can choose one of their existing designs or you can get custom ones done to your specifications.

They have a large gallery that showcases their work, and if you're looking for stone fireplace ideas, that would be a good spot to browse.

Stone Fireplace #2

While a limestone fireplace can be sleek and modern, you might be looking for something a little rustic.  This second picture is of a custom designed fieldstone fireplace.

As you can see, this one fits in perfectly to the living area in a log home.  Whether you're building your walls out of log or not, fieldstone can be great for giving that rustic "lodge" feel.  Think of sitting by the crackling fire after a long day on the ski slopes.

This fireplace was done by Young Construction Company (which actually did the whole home it looks like).

They don't have as many pictures of fireplaces on their site, but you can see a lot more examples of fieldstone fireplaces if you head to Google and type "fieldstone fireplace" into the search field.  Instead of just searching the usual results, click over the to "images" results.  From there you can browse all sorts of fireplace pictures, and if you want to know more about the website where the picture is from, just click on it and there is usually a way to navigate to the site's home page.

Stone Fireplace #3

Let's take a look at one last style of stone fireplace.

The "Deco Marble Fireplace" uses marble tiles with a glass mantle and wood highlights for a unique Art Deco inspired look.

I'm always drawn to the clean, sharp lines of marble tile fireplaces.  This one was custom done by Acappella Design and was inspired by "a table lamp and some trendy new furniture recently purchased by the owner."

So if you're looking for fireplace ideas, the answer might already rest in your living room.  What kind of furniture do you have that you love?  Anything can be the inspiration for a design. 

Also, as you see, a stone fireplace can come in many different styles, and many companies will work with you to create custom pieces that perfectly suit your tastes. 

As I mentioned you can use Google Images to browse for a "stone fireplace" or any other kind of surround/mantel you're thinking about.  It's a great way to get some ideas!

Concrete Fire Pit Pictures and Design Ideas

There are lots of portable firepits on the market, but if you prefer a permanent structure that will add value to your home, you may want to have a firepit custom designed and built. 

There are quite a few materials you can use, such as brick and concrete.  Concrete is fun because it can be molded into so many shapes.  It can also be stained different colors or etched with designs.

For some concrete fireplace pictures and ideas, check out the firepit section at the Concrete Network.  They have a gallery of pictures from different concrete-working companies:

Photo Gallery

How to Tile Your Fireplace Surround

If you've got a drab fireplace surround and you really want to perk it up (or you're just looking for a DIY project for the weekend), then you might consider covering it with glass mosaic tiles.  This will work if your surround is currently made of a flat material, such as concrete. 

It can be hard to find good guides on how-to projects on the Internet, but I found a wonderful article over at OmniNerd that includes step-by-step details and lots of pictures.  Here's the link:

How to Build a Glass-Mosaic Fireplace

Custom-built Stone Mantels

Whether you have a traditional wood-burning fireplace or a gas insert, you can add a lot of style and drama to your living room with a custom-designed and built mantel and/or surround.

It doesn't matter if you want a huge, grandiose piece that wouldn't look out of place in a castle or something small, cozy, and modest--you can always get just what you want if you're willing to pay to have it custom-built.  The downside is that custom work obviously costs more, but companies that specialize in working with wood or stone can give you just what you see in your mind's eye.  This way your fireplace can be a deserving focal point for the room.

Cantera Especial did the handsome fireplace surround pictured here, and they have a gallery of examples you can browse through for ideas.

http://www.canteraespecial.com

Slate Tiles for Your Fireplace Surround

Some of today's fireplaces, especially in condos, are built into the walls without any sort of surround and sometimes not even a mantel.  An easy way to dress things up and create a more impressive focal point is to add a mantel shelf and create a surround. 

Tile is a popular choice for surrounds, especially if you're going for a clean, modern look.  Granite and marble are among the most frequently chosen tiles, but those aren't your only options.  You can also opt for ceramic or slate.  These slate pieces here would make nice centerpieces above the firebox in a field of similarly colored slate. 

Available from the Harman Stove Company, the slate tiles feature deer and cowboys on horses, but you can also get flowers or a lighthouse, if you'd like to go with something more feminine (or at least less rustic).

Harman

Decorate Your Fireplace with a "Mantel Scarf"

Is your fireplace mantel looking a little blah?  Need some decorating ideas?  Well, I thought these lace mantel scarfs really added some elegance to this mantel.  Now, now, guys... I know lace is for girls, but you can put some big manly decorations on top if it if you want.  A ship in a bottle or something...

Anyway, the "scarf" is specifically designed to drape your mantel, and it will cost you about $35 if you order one online.  You can get ivory or gold lace from Touch of Class, but if you know someone with sewing skills, they might be able to make you a custom mantel scarf.  Now that summer is on the way out, it's time to start thinking of these things (and of course fireplace decorations are good all year around).

Touch of Class

Decorating Your Fireplace in the Summer

Indoor fireplaces aren't used as much in the summer when hot weather keeps the home warm, so what do you do with your fireplace in the down time?  Whether you use it or not, a fireplace remains a focal point in the room.  People's eyes are drawn to it when they come in, so you probably don't want to leave it a big sooty mess.  Clean that sucker out, vacuuming ashes and remains from last season's fires.  Also, summer is a good time to have your chimney swept. 

Once your fireplace is clean, you can turn your mind to decorating.  Why not put something interesting in the firebox?  A Washington Post article, "Brightening the Summer Fireplace," suggests the following:

• Tie a bundle of twigs together to look like logs (only more deocrative) and stack them in the firebox.
• Place a stone garden sculpture inside, highlighted with clusters of dried flowers (i.e. yellow and orange to bring to mind the color of fires)
• Stack 3-D Mexican tin stars; their silver color reflects light interestingly.
• Add a decorative fire screen
• Put a fireplace candelabra in the firebox (remember to open the flue if you actually light the candles).
• Arrange a stack of birch logs (their white color and textured bark makes them attractive) to look like a fire is about to be lit.

Candleholders for your Fireplace

A crackling fire in the fireplace can be a lot of fun on a cool evening, but let's face it: most of us who have wood-burning fireplaces don't actually light a fire all that often.  That means most of the time our fireplaces are just dark voids in the living room.  Perhaps because of that, more and more people are sticking candles in their fireplaces.  Today you can even get special "fireplace candleholders" that are designed to fit nicely into your firebox.  This candleholder from Bellacor can hold up to ten candles and costs about $140 (candles not included).  It's not quite the same as having a genuine fire crackling in the fireplace, but hey, candles are a lot easier to light and a lot easier to put out.  So, if you're just looking for a way to add some light to that void in your room, check out them out.

http://www.bellacor.com

Lightening the Bricks Around the Fireplace

Sometimes you like the rich color of dark-red bricks around the fireplace, and... sometimes you don't.  In particular, if you have light-colored walls, those bricks might stick out oddly.  Of course painting the brick is always an option, but paint is a drastic step when it comes to brick, because you can't really remove it.  So, a few years down the line, you might be regretting that move.  I saw a show on the Home & Garden Channel that offered instructions on how to lighten the bricks around your fireplace without actually coloring them.  Here's the gist of what they said:

1. Take a cup of a water-based wall color (vanilla, beige, etc.), then dilute it with water, so it's the consistency of skim milk.
2. Wash the bricks with plain water to clean them first. 
3. Dip, then wring out slightly a marine sponge into the mixture, and rub it onto the brick and mortar. Because brick is porous, it'll soak the mixture up, so don't use a lot at first.  You can always go back over it to reach the desired lightness.   
4. When you reach the chimney, work in a diagonal line.
5. Save the hearth until last, so it's easy to wipe up any drips.

More ideas: Fireplace Design & Decorating Ideas

Resurface Your Fireplace to Give It a New Look

Although kitchens and bathrooms are favorite rooms when homeowners remodel, the living room/family room isn't totally left out.  In fact, more and more people are remodeling family areas in order to give their fireplaces a new, modern look.  If that old school, plain ol' brick look isn't for you, there's no reason you can't change it.  Because many of today's popular fireplace surfaces are light (i.e. cultured stone veneers and marble tiles), they can often be installed right over the existing surface.  This saves a lot of money, because it means you don't have to tear anything out.  Brick, in particular, is fairly easy to resurface with ceramic, tile, or concrete (for a contemporary look) or a stone veneer for a rustic look. 

So, how much will remodeling the fireplace cost you?  The price of the project will depend on the area to be covered, any necessary internal work to be done, and whether you're doing a conversion (i.e. installing a gas insert) that would require a gas line to be added.  And, as we mentioned, the cost will be much higher if you need to tear out the existing fireplace, so try to avoid that.  Even if you're dealing with river rock, or something bulkier than brick, you may be able to drywall over it, then add your choice of veneers.

To get ideas, check out showrooms in your area and browse those home improvement magazines at the store.  When you find something you like, cut out a picture, and take it with you when you talk to a contractor/designer.

Glass Fireplace Surrounds

If you think fireplace surrounds have to be made from stone or brick, think again.  Studio G3, a company that specializes in custom glass work, etches fireplace surrounds to make stunning and memorable fireplaces.  The picture here is actually of an above-the-mantel mirror I fell in love with, but if you browse their site you can see actual surrounds they've done with glass.

Studio G3: Fireplace Surrounds

(Make sure to check out the rest of the company's site, too, because they are doing some cool things with glass!)

Seasonal Mantel Decorating Ideas

If you're someone who likes to change decorations with the seasons, then the fireplace mantel should be a priority.  The hearth naturally makes a focal point for any living room, drawing the eye of friends and family.  "Making Mantels Warm and Cozy," a short article from the Jan. 7, 2006 issue of the Seattle Times, suggests the following "Seasonal Changes":

• Winter -- Add potted evergreens, pinecones and sticks from the backyard.
• Spring -- Use paperwhites, tulips, or forsythia.
• Summer -- Place a flower in each of four or five identical vases, or use pots of identical orchids.
• Fall -- Try gourds and pumpkins.

Of course, some of these items are intrinsically Pacific Northwest, so feel free to replace them with suitable local plants/flowers from your area.

Fireplace Decorating

Smart fireplace decorating can taking your living room from "Oh, I didn't realize you had a fireplace stuck back there behind the couch" to "Wow, what a cool fireplace--I bet it adds a lot of value to your home."  Fireplaces are designed to be focal points in rooms, so they should draw the eye, not hide from it.  Here are some decorating tips to do just that:

• Use contrasting colors to make your fireplace "pop."  For example, you could paint the fireplace bright white and the adjacent walls a deep, rich color.  Or you could use light-colored paint with a dark mantel and surround.
• Make an eye-catching fireplace surround using patterned or colored tiles, or even stainless steel or copper.
• Add emphasis to the fireplace wall by adding an important painting or photograph over the mantel, then spotlight it with dramatic lighting.
• Instead of buying cheap Ikea junk, spend a little more, and have a carpenter create custom built-ins to either side of the fireplace--this will draw the eye to that wall and highlight the hearth at the center.
• Hang a large mirror over the fireplace, which will draw the eye and increase the size of the room, or consider adding a striking "objet d'art" above the mantel

For more decorating tips, check out Ideas for Great Fireplaces (the book I snagged these ideas from).

Decorating Your Mantel for the Holidays

Trying to think of creative ways to decorate your mantel for Christmas?  I found an article over at Realtor.com that offers ideas on ways to dress up your mantel for the holildays and the rest of the years as well.  Here are a few of their tips for all year around:

• Err on the side of over-scale rather than under-scale when placing objects on the mantel.
• Group smaller things together.
• Display collections like Staffordshire dogs, wooden boxes or even found objects on your mantel.
• Hang a wreath on top of a mirror, or prop a painting in front of it.

For holiday, they have a couple different pictures offering ideas.  One has a big bow tied in front of the mantel with a ribbon that stretches across.  Another has snowmen lined up symmetrically.  Another uses silver vases.  To see them, check out the original article: Home is Where the Hearth Is

How to Build a Fake Fireplace

I can't say that faux fireplaces have ever done much for me, but if you don't have a real fireplace--and you're not interested in getting a gas or electric one--and want a focal point for your living room, this guide from HGTV has step-by-step on how to build a faus fireplace.  It gives you the materials you need, and there's a little demo video to walk you through the process.

Lighten the Mortar Around Your Fireplace

I came across an online newspaper article where a reader asked how to lighten the grout around his fireplace (it's actually mortar unless you're talking about a tile surround) as it didn't fit in with the rest of the decor.  The article mentioned that you can use acid to lighten the color of the mortar.

If the mortar is just a touch too dark and you want to lighten it up a wee bit, start with a 10 percent solution of muriatic acid. Apply the solution to the mortar joints only using a small bristle brush or similar device. A little of this mild acid on the stone or brick will generally not hurt so long as you don’t allow it to remain for very long.

Allow the acid to remain on the mortar joints for at least five minutes or until it has stopped fizzing. Rinse the area completely and allow it to dry. You may need to wait a few days until the mortar has dried completely to determine if the process worked. If the mortar has lightened but the desired result has not been achieved, give the mortar another acid treatment and allow it to dry to check the results.

The article reminds users to wear rubber gloves and safety glasses of course.

Original article: Acid Can Lighten 'Grout' Around the Fireplace

Built-in Shelves or Cabinets

While some people may like the austere white wall around the fireplace, others look for ways to add warmth and functionality to the room.  Built-in wood shelves and/or lower cabinets can set off brick or stone fireplace surrounds.  They can also be designed as an extension of the mantel to create flow across the entire wall.  "One strategy to consider when creating or remodeling a fireplace is to add built-in cabinetry and paneling to an entire wall and integrate the fireplace into the complete treament."

Quote from: New Built-Ins Idea Book which has about 10 pages with wood stove and fireplace pictures showing different styles of built-ins to complement each.

Painting the Bricks Around the Fireplace?

Some people choose to paint the bricks around their fireplace when they're updating the decor in their living rooms.  One of the problems with painting bricks is that it's a permanent change.  Because bricks are porous and irregular, there's no going back (no way to remove the paint later).

Since that is such an extreme change, you may want to look into other options for updating those bricks.  You can give your fireplace a facelift by covering it with thin-cut stone or brick veneer.  (Links: gallery of pictures showing thin cut stone used on fireplaces and gallery of pictures of thin brick veneer used on various walls around the house).

These materials are typically less than an inch thick and can be applied with mastic (a thick, adhesive used to hold floor and wall tiles in place), so laying the brick or stone veneer around your fireplaces doesn't involve much more work than installing tiles, but it can totally update the decor of your room and the look of your fireplace.

(from the Dec/Jan 2005 issue of Remodeling Ideas magazine)

Ceiling Fans Make Better Use of Heat

I know what you're thinking--what do ceiling fans have to do with fireplaces?  Well, I recently picked up a tip from Better Houses, Better Living: What To Look for When Buying, Building or Remodeling. Contrary to popular belief, ceiling fans aren't for cooling a room but for keeping it warmer.

Because hot air rises (such as comes from the blower of your gas fireplace), it accumulates uselessly near the ceiling (this can be especially wasteful in rooms with vaulted celings).  So by installing a ceiling fan in the room with your fireplace, you will make better use of that warmth, thus making your fireplace more energy efficient.

Fireplace as Focal Point

Whether you're selling your home or just want to make sure the design is pleasing, fireplaces should be focal points in rooms, not hidden behind bulky furniture or clutter.  A recent article, "Fireplace Should Be an Attractive Focal Point," writes "These days, that fire is probably produced by gas or electricity and may feature a few glowing plastic logs. But it's still the focal point of many a living room and, as such, attention must be paid to a fireplace's design. It had better look good because there's really no way to camouflage this fixture, nor can it be moved to an inconspicuous corner."  The article goes on to answer a question about how to make an older fireplace look sharp after a room redesign, making a desirable focal point.

A Focal Point Above the Fireplace

Is it looking a little drab above your fireplace mantel? "I Did It Myself" is a short article from the online version of the Arizona Republic that explains how one homeowner took a few hours, ten dollars, and "Sarah Transfer Paper, acrylic paint in cream and taupe, tracing paper, pencil, tape, copy machine and paintbrush" to create an original scrollwork design as a focal point above the fireplace. There's a picture on the site you can look at for ideas if it sounds like something you might be interested in.

Mantle Building

In the Sun Herald's "Fancying up a Fireplace," author/decorator Matt Foxx says "Somehow a fireplace without a mantle seems incomplete, but luckily this is one decorating problem that is easily solved." He goes on to give pretty simple step-by-step instructions on how to build a mantle, either for use on an existing fireplace or to create a faux fireplace which can provide a focal point in a room that doesn't have one.

Concrete Fireplace Facades

Concrete may not be the first building material that comes to your mind when you think fireplace surround, but Concrete with Polish Can Be a Star takes a look at the ubiquitous uses for the material, even within the home. According to the article, "A concrete facade, with its clean lines and earthiness, can add emotional appeal to a tinny fireplace insert." For many years concrete was relagated to subfloors, but designers are definitely taking an interest in it these days for everything from kitchen counters to easy-clean shower stalls. Whether it's the fireplace surround your interested in or another home remodeling project, the article is a good jumping off point for ideas.

Tile Tips

If you're thinking of doing your fireplace facade in tile, you may find a few of these tips helpful:

• Meaure everything before you start laying tiles as even symmetrical-looking fireplaces might vary a bit from side to side.
• When you lay out the tile pattern, leave about 1/4 inch in between for grout.
• Using small tiles, or a mix of small and large tiles, can make it easier to adjust and make a perfect fit pattern as opposed to using all large tiles.
• Concrete panels or brick-and-mortor work best behind the tiles since they bond well with the tile adhesive.
• Small tiles cost more per square foot than larger tiles.

More information at How to Buy and Use Fireplace Tile.

Source: Winter 2004 issue of Renovation Style

Fireplace Design Ideas

Looking for design ideas for your fireplace? HGTV (AKA The Home & Garden Channel) has a website that showcases many of the design transformations and ideas they've featured on their various shows. The section Fabulous Fireplaces is a good place to browse as it contains numerous articles and pictures on mantels, fireplace decor, screens, maintenance, and of course fireplace safety.

Fireplace Mantel Kits

Want a new mantel to perk up your fireplace? Not much for power tools and complicated installation?  Do-it-yourself mantel kits offer a relatively hassle free option for people who don't need a custom-built mantel. Mantel kits are available in cast-stone, iron, wood, plastic, and several other materials. You can even get kits with extras such as columns and pilasters, overmantel decorations, and mantel shelves. There is a wide variety of styles and sizes out there, and many manufacturers allow a degree of customization for a bit extra.

Mantel kit installation is fairly simple. Kits are generally shipped in three pieces, plus accessories and trim. Installation can typically be completed in a couple of hours.

Source: Decorating with Architectural Details

Fireplace Mantels, Time to Go Antique?

Fireplace mantels are responsible for much of the personality of a fireplace. Acorrding to Fireplace: Decorating and Planning Ideas , an "antique mantelpiece is an astonishingly versatile bit of architectural funiture. It can slip seamlessly into a period room or jolt a contemporary room to life by adding a note of surprise" (pg. 106).

Since antique fireplace mantels weren't built with today's fireplaces in mind, you need to be careful when selecting one. If you are building a new fireplace, you can choose the mantel first, then build the firebox to fit it. However, if you are retrofitting an existing fireplace, you'll want to take along measurements both of the firebox and of the height and width of the fireplace wall when shopping.  You need to find a mantel that is a close match, but you can fudge to some extent by adjusting the stone or tile surrounding the firebox.

Make sure to check the building codes in your area, even for as simple a retrofit as installing a new fireplace mantel. There are frequently rules covering such renovations.

Looking for modern mantels instead? Here are a couple of options:
Mount Vernon Mantel Company Mantels
Granite Fireplace Mantels

See-Through Fireplaces

If you're doing a spot of remodeling and thinking of installing a wood-burning or gas fireplace, you may be considering a see-through model. The nice thing about see-through fireplaces is that you essentially get two hearths with only one chimney and one shared flue, which is of course cheaper than building two separate chimneys.

With gas fireplaces, you can even find models that are glass on three sides, which allows you to make sort of a peninsula out of the wall dividing two rooms. Many gas fireplaces don't even require a chimney and flue.

There's actually a long history of see-through fireplaces. In 19th century Victorian homes, you used to see these fireplaces in large front halls and adjoining parlors. Today, see-through fireplaces are particularly popular in master bedrooms and the adjoining master bathroom. If you get a model with a remote, you can even turn it on and off from the bed (or bath if you're so moved).

Natural Vent Gas See Through Fireplace
See-Through 42'' Radiant Woodburning Fireplace

Flat Screen TVs and Fireplaces

The aesthetic purists out there would cringe at the idea of a television profaning the beauty of a room with a fireplace in it, but let's face it, most of us have televisions in the living room or family room with our fireplaces. As flat screen tvs become increasingly popular, people often think of putting them on top of the fireplace, thus allowing you to see both focal points at once. If you're wondering if it's safe (for your TV) to hang a plasma television above the fireplace, you might want to read the section specifically devoted to TVs above the fireplace at the Plasma TV Buying Guide. Though the site is devoted to plasma tvs, they suggest their above-the-fireplace guidelines apply to LCD tvs as well. The short answer is that it's probably OK, but they have some caveats.

Andirons

Looking for a way to spruce up your fireplace without remodeling the whole wall? A pair of andirons can add a classy eye-catching element to a fireplace. They also have the function of keeping logs from rolling forward off the grate and into the living area. If you look at them from the side, andirons are L-shaped with little legs that support the lower portion (links to pictures below). They can be very decorative or stately and handsome.

Installation is a snap. You usually just attach them to the front of the grate. Prices can range from $20 to hundreds of dollars; antiques especially can demand a high ticket. In the end, it's about what will look good in your fireplace, not who has the fanciest andirons. Before you get huge ones, remember they can get very hot, and you don't want to keep bumping your arm against them when you're adding/poking/prodding wood.

Examples/pictures of andirons:

Artsy Andirons
Wrought Iron Andirons
Solid Brass Andiron

Remodel the Fireplace to Redesign a Room

If you've got an older house, you may be tempted to remodel the living or family rooms in order to incorporate more modern designs. People tend to look at their brick or stone hearths and see them as immutable objects, permanent fixtures that they need to decorate around.  However, a fireplace can get a facelift, sometimes for less cost and effort than you might think. An archived article from the San Francisco Chronicle, Remodel a Fireplace to Transform a Living Room, offers suggestions on how to get started.

Above the Mantel

What's above your fireplace mantel?  A painting?  A huge plasma TV?

The book Fireplaces: What's In Style recommends breaking up the monotony of straight lines above the fireplace by hanging paintings or objects (they have sailboat models in the picture) in groupings.  Making triangles or symmetrical but not boxy groupings can make the area look more interesting and engaging to the eye.