By Jane Lockhart
Gently falling snow blankets the streets. A chilly breeze curls clouds of fluffy white flakes in an orchestrated manner, settling them softly around us. This is the rhythm of winter for Canadians, one and all. It might sound Christmas-card poetic, but the bottom line is that it’s often cold, dark and blustery! As a result, our home interiors become essential points of warmth and comfort as we hunker down inside.
The fireplace hearth is one of the most significant focal points that will capture the snuggle-up-and-feel-secure vibe in any room, whether a basement, master bedroom or family room. With the choice of fireplace inserts ranging from wood burning to gas or electric, a classic fireplace is easy to install and worth more than its weight in gold as the coldest months take hold.
The mantle surrounding the fireplace box is an important place to express the design of your room. A traditional mantle might include columns, molding, corbels, carvings and a built-up horizontal surface that allows for display and décor. Today, painted wood mantels and similar cut-stone versions are equally popular; both are well- appointed, over-scaled and long-lasting in style. This classic look can be made traditional or contemporary, depending on the colour and details.
Applied or stacked stone mantle surrounds are popular in family rooms and entertainment spaces, or integrated into more country/causally styled settings. Their texture and warmth naturally lends itself to a more relaxed feel. New varieties of stone, such as thin, long, stacked versions, offer a modern twist and can create a more polished feel. These are pretty easy to install and can be added in a single day.
Modern hearth treatments have grown in popularity as they make an impressive design statement, especially when sited as a full vertical column of a single material running from floor to ceiling. Here, the fireplace insert can float higher within the column, allowing for better viewing of the fire itself. Consider a slab of marble or stone to create a luxurious look, or select large porcelain tiles to draw attention to your hearth.
The horizontal mantle that sits over the fireplace insert, often used for display, is a consistent feature in traditional and transitional designs. But it is less important in a more modern setting, where the fireplace’s full width and height becomes an architectural rather than a decorative statement. If you intend to place a television over the fireplace itself, however, it’s imperative to add a horizontal mantle (even in a modern design) to deflect heat away from the television’s components. This is especially true for gas and wood-burning fireplace inserts!
No matter what your taste, a fireplace adds beauty, ambiance and a pleasing visual element to any room, and draws attention to a space. So, when those snowflakes come drifting down and Santa’s about to make his entrance on Christmas Eve, you and your fireplace will be the star attractions!
Room designed by Jane Lockheart, BAAID. Principle designer, Jane Lockheart Interior Design.
Photo: Brandon Barré. www.brandonbarre.com
