Today, there are many types of fireplace surround to choose from – in fact, the wealth of choice can be confusing at times. There is an array of decorative styles to choose from, including period, traditional, classic, modern, contemporary, and in addition to this, there is a huge choice of fireplace materials, such as stone, slate, marble, brick, plaster, wood – the list is endless. It does help to know that, if you are after a fireplace surround from a certain era, for example, the Victorian era, a particular kind of material was usually used. For instance, the majority of Victorian fireplaces and surrounds were fashioned from cast iron and wood, and the Edwardian fireplace surround often featured tiles.
The fireplace surround, also known as the fireplace mantel, has been around for hundreds of years, and its original purpose was primarily decorative. Most fire surrounds were fairly plain, perhaps incorporating a mantel shelf, but throughout the ages, the mantel has evolved in accordance with decorative styles and trends in interior design – it has evolved from a simple mantel framing the fireplace into a piece of furniture worthy of being the focal point in any room.
Modern fireplace surrounds incorporate functional shelves, glass display cupboards, large mirrors, mirrored backs, and many other decorative features. Customers really are spoilt for choice, with a fire surround to suit every décor. If something particularly unique is needed, more and more fireplace retailers are now offering a bespoke service, in response to customer demand.
All materials traditionally used for fireplace mantels are still popular today, and feature strongly in the contemporary home. However, materials not usually used together feature strongly in the modern home to create a striking statement – stone is used with marble, and wood is often paired with stone also, creating a unique and attractive focal point. There really is a fireplace surround for everyone to create their own personal statement, with thousands of styles on the market at affordable prices.
