Choosing The Right Fireplace
On a cold winter night there's nothing like cuddling up in frontof
a fire with a loved one. The warmth from fireplaces arewelcome on chilly
days, and the scent of the burning wood adds acozy ambiance to a home.
Fireplaces make great gathering spotsand many families enjoy lounging
around the fireplace in theevenings to talk or watch television together.
Fireplaces are also attractive and add character to a home.
Abeautiful fireplace can be the focal point of a room, or thehomeowner
might choose to downplay the fireplace. Fireplacesdesigns should complement
the style of the room. A fireplacecovered in floral designs will look
out of place in a roomdecorated in a sleek, modern style. Thought should
also be givento the size of the fireplace, since a large fireplace willoverpower
a small room and a tiny fireplace will get lost in acavernous room.
There are many different fireplaces designs andstyles to choose from
to accentuate a room and express thehomeowner's personality, and we'll
discuss a few popular options.
Brick fireplace
Bricks are a traditional choice for fireplaces designs.Beautiful,
functional and easy to replace, bricks add a homey,old-fashioned feel
to a room. Aging brick fireplaces can bespruced up with a coat of paint.
While any bricks can be usedfor the surround, only firebricks should
be used in the firebox.
Marble and Granite
Granite and Marble are popular materials used in today's fireplaces
designs. Granite fireplaces are handsome, durable andeasy to clean.
There are a number of different
colors of granitefireplace designs to coordinate with a room's décor.
Marblefireplaces are elegant and lovely and can add a sophisticatedtouch
to a home. Some Marble fireplaces are elaborately carvedwith beautiful
designs.
Tile
Tiled fireplaces designs can add a splash of fun and color
tothe fireplace. The tiles can cover the surround of the fireplaceand
can be chosen in a variety of designs. For a romantic roomfilled with
lace you might choose tiles featuring pretty floralpatterns, while tiles
with brightly colored geometric shapesmight better suit a contemporary
style room. Tile can also beused to cover the brick and give a new look
to an older mantelthat is past its prime.
Kiva style fireplace
For a southwestern style home, try Kiva fireplaces designs.
Kivafireplaces are curved and beehive shaped with openings at thetop
and bottom for the flue and the fire. Traditional Kivafireplaces designs
were created using adobe bricks, but today'smodels frequently use cinder
blocks.
Outdoor fireplace
Many homeowners are installing outdoor fireplaces designs.Outdoor
fireplaces can turn an ordinary deck or patio intosomething special.
With patio furniture such as comfortablechairs and a dining table and
chairs, the patio becomes anadditional living space, ideal for entertaining
friends andfamily. The outdoor fireplace can make the space a great
placeto spend time on cool summer nights, chilly spring and fall daysand
even in the winter.
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