This terracotta chimney gives you the warmth of a fireplace in a small, sustainable package

This article explores various alternative styling options for fireplaces, especially for those that are non-working or where the homeowners prefer to avoid the smoke and maintenance associated with traditional fires. As cooler weather approaches and people seek cozier home environments, these creative approaches allow a fireplace to remain a focal point and source of comfort without the need for flames. One approach involves filling the fireplace with neatly stacked piles of wood. This method creates a rustic and warm aesthetic, transforming a living space into a cabin-like retreat. Beyond the visual appeal, it offers practical benefits, as the wood is readily available should the fireplace ever be used for its original purpose. This styling choice is particularly effective in adding texture and an organic element to the room's decor. Another innovative idea is to convert the fireplace interior into a mini-library. This involves filling the clean fireplace facade with stacks of colorful books, preferably enough to occupy the entire space. This serves as a creative way to display coffee table books or other volumes that might otherwise clutter surfaces, adding a unique, intellectual, and personalized touch to the room. The visual impact of varying colors and sizes of books can turn an empty hearth into an engaging decorative feature. For those who appreciate greenery, transforming the fireplace into a plant haven is presented as a vibrant option. This involves arranging a variety of houseplants in front of, around, and within the fireplace opening. Plants that require less direct sunlight can be placed inside the hearth, while the mantle can be adorned with trailing foliage. This method introduces natural elements, improves air quality, and creates a refreshing and serene focal point within the room, bringing a touch of the outdoors inside. Finally, replicating the ambiance of flames with candles is suggested as an elegant and low-maintenance alternative. By filling the fireplace with pillar candles, homeowners can achieve a similar warm and inviting glow without the smoke, ash, or extensive cleanup required by a wood-burning fire. This option provides flexibility in lighting and mood setting, allowing for an instant transformation of the space into a cozy and intimate setting, making it suitable for various occasions or simply for daily enjoyment. #FireplaceStyling #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #AlternativeFireplace #CozyHome #DIYDecor #PlantDecor #CandleDecor

This article, authored by Giles Kime, Country Life's Executive and Interiors Editor, provides a curated list of the top 10 companies offering fireplaces and chimneypieces in the UK. Kime, with thirty years of experience in the design industry, highlights the diversity of chimney pieces, ranging from Medieval and Georgian styles to Victorian and contemporary designs, and acknowledges the importance of selecting the right one to complement a home's interior. The article serves as a guide for homeowners seeking advice and inspiration for fireplace selection. Each company featured in the 'Country Life Top 10: Fireplaces' list is recognized for its unique offerings and expertise. Architectural Heritage is noted for its bespoke stone fireplaces. CVO specializes in striking contemporary designs. Chesney's offers a wide range of both new and antique fireplaces, catering to various tastes and historical periods. Haddonstone is distinguished by its cast stone designs, providing durable and aesthetically pleasing options. J. Rotherham focuses on stone and marble fireplaces, emphasizing craftsmanship and material quality. Jamb is included for its collection of rare chimney pieces and historically inspired designs, appealing to those who appreciate heritage and unique artistry. Renaissance provides options ranging from classic to quirky, indicating a breadth of styles for diverse interior schemes. English Fireplaces is highlighted for its classic good looks, suggesting timeless and elegant choices. Marble Hill is identified as a good source for ornate, period styles, suitable for homes with traditional architectural features. Finally, Acquisitions offers a spectrum from classic to contemporary, ensuring that both traditional and modern preferences are met. The article emphasizes that these companies not only offer beautiful designs but also provide the necessary expertise to assist customers in making informed choices for their homes. This resource is intended to simplify the decision-making process for homeowners, whether they are looking for a modern fireplace or one that fits a 16th-century cottage, or for properties in various locations like a loft space in Battersea or a seaside escape in Dorset. The article is part of a series by Country Life throughout 2017, aiming to provide definitive top 10 lists to help individuals transform their houses into dream homes. #Fireplaces #Chimneypieces #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalHeritage #ContemporaryDesign #AntiqueFireplaces #StoneFireplaces #DesignGuide

Fireplaces serve as central focal points in living spaces and play a significant role in creating a cozy atmosphere, especially during the colder months. Updating fireplace designs and mantel decor can dramatically impact a room's aesthetic. Several interior design experts from the Southern United States offer ten tips for styling fireplaces and mantels. One key recommendation is to allow the architecture of the house to inspire the mantel design. For instance, a marble mantel with ornate carvings is suitable for a Victorian-era home, while a grand stone hearth complements a mountain house. Stephanie Wallace of Stephanie Wallace & Associates emphasizes that a fireplace should be architecturally correct for its home, noting an example where a painted wood mantel was replaced with a live-edge walnut piece to better suit a 1930s house. Another functional design tip involves incorporating built-in storage for firewood. Rather than repeatedly fetching wood from an outdoor pile, integrating wood storage directly into the hearth provides convenience and a neat appearance. Julie Couch Interiors showcases a stone fireplace setup with both a fireplace and a sleek, space-saving nook for wood storage. Embracing an 'old-world' feel is a current trend, particularly with historic interiors. This can be achieved by updating existing fireplaces, such as stucco-ing a brick fireplace and adding a narrow wooden mantel, as demonstrated by Stephanie Wallace with a 1960s bedroom fireplace. Anna Still of Still Johnson Interiors suggests considering traditional mantel shapes and retaining original mantels during renovations or selecting new ones that mimic historical designs for new builds. Designers advise against over-decorating mantels for everyday styling. Stephanie Wallace prefers a minimalist approach, stating that overly busy mantels with numerous objects appear fussy, distracting, and dated. For modern spaces, Sara Ray Interior Design founder Sara Ray recommends clean-lined mantels that allow a single piece of art to be the focal point. However, this minimalist rule can be relaxed during the holidays, with Stephanie Wallace advocating for abundant holiday decor, including garlands, vintage Santas, glass trees, and votives. Bringing the outdoors in is another popular tip, especially for holiday decor. Matilda Reuter Engle of Middleburg Hospitality suggests incorporating seasonal foliage native to the region, creating an organic and authentic look that connects the home to its environment. Foraging elements can ground the decor in authenticity, reflecting the true spirit of the season. For a cohesive look, one approach is to match the mantel to the walls. Anna Still recommends painting the mantel the same color as the walls but using a satin or semi-gloss finish for a crisp, updated appearance. This creates a continuous line, making the fireplace blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, as seen in an outdoor white brick fireplace example. Conversely, a stark contrast can make the fireplace stand out as a bold design element. Painting it in a contrasting hue, such as black against white walls, creates an intentional and striking visual. Instead of traditional built-in bookshelves, Sara Ray suggests flanking the fireplace with two matching furniture pieces. This offers a warmer, more collected aesthetic and additional seating. For fireplaces constructed of heavy materials like stone, large-scale furniture helps maintain visual balance. Finally, converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas provides an easier and safer way to enjoy a fire. Matilda Reuter Engle highlights that gas conversions preserve the classic aesthetic while offering convenience, reduced emissions, and eliminating risks like flying sparks and chimney fires. Although the initial cost can be high, the benefits in safety and convenience can justify the investment. These expert tips provide diverse approaches to enhancing the fireplace, whether through architectural alignment, functional additions, aesthetic choices, or practical upgrades. #FireplaceDesign #MantelDecor #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalStyle #BuiltInStorage #OldWorldCharm #HolidayDecor #SeasonalDecor #GasFireplaceConversion

Ina Garten, renowned for her comforting recipes and cookbooks, has cultivated a home aesthetic that is as celebrated as her culinary creations. Her East Hampton residence, frequently showcased on social media, embodies a contemporary country style with beautifully designed interiors and extensive gardens. Beyond her culinary fame, Garten's home decor choices, particularly her fireplace mantel, have garnered attention for their understated elegance. Garten recently shared a glimpse of her fireplace design, which features a moody, minimalist approach that deviates slightly from her characteristic style. The focal point of the mantel is a large, gilded-framed mirror, complemented by a few sleek black candlesticks and simple branches arranged in a slender vase. The fireplace facade itself is smooth and white, contrasting with a black stone floor treatment at the hearth. This curated arrangement deliberately positions the fire as the primary visual element, allowing the surrounding decor to recede into the background. This design philosophy emphasizes decluttering and a monochromatic color scheme to achieve a similar aesthetic. By keeping mantel decor minimal and selecting a consistent color palette, the inherent warmth and ambiance of the fire can take precedence. Accents around the hearth are limited to essential items, echoing Garten's less-is-more approach. Her followers have expressed appreciation for her design sensibilities, often connecting it with her recently announced memoir, "Be Ready When the Luck Happens," a _New York Times_ Bestseller. In response to a fan's query on Instagram regarding the fireplace's location, Garten revealed that the East Hampton house had undergone a "facelift during the pandemic." This update highlights her continuous refinement of her living spaces, ensuring they remain both beautiful and functional. The article suggests that Garten, alongside her husband Jeffrey, will likely spend many cozy hours by this newly updated fireplace during the winter months. The piece also subtly incorporates Garten's philosophy on life's simple pleasures, noting her belief that "Most of life's problems can be solved with a good cookie." #InaGarten #HomeDecor #FireplaceDesign #MinimalistDecor #MantelDecor #HomeTrends #InteriorDesign #CozyHome #CelebrityHomes