The very fact that you’re reading this suggests you are already well aware of the warmth, comfort and sheer cosiness that a real fire can bring to a home, but have you explored the world of the contemporary fireplace? Really explored it?
When the majority of folk think about installing a fireplace into their home, they think in terms of traditional, usually Victorian, hearths and mantels. Yet, by doing so, they eliminate a whole world of stylish comfort from their plans.
Of course, the traditional fireplace styles so admired now were, once upon a time, contemporary; in the Victorian age, cast iron was de rigeur! Likewise, the modern fireplaces of today will one day be viewed with nostalgia. If there is a downside to going for the contemporary look it is that fashions change quickly, so you would be well advised to ensure that your up-to-the-minute fireplace is based upon classical lines – classic good looks never go out of fashion.
The most traditional of the contemporary fireplace designs, if that’s not a contradiction in terms, look very much like standard fireplaces – aside from the fact that, rather than standing on the floor, they are set into the wall. They are usually elevated and flush with the wall, creating a sleek line; sometimes, in relatively low-set models, a mantel is added above. Another idea along similar lines is to flush-set the fireplace higher up the wall so that it looks like a picture – this is where the gas burning, faux wood models come into their own, creating low-maintenance good looks.
The Superior Argon Fire pictured here is a fine example of the classic contemporary look that will never go out of fashion.
Your major consideration, after deciding on fireplace style, is what fuel you want to burn. Wood-burning fires and stoves are probably the most popular choice but there is a lot of ‘cleaning out’ involved, as well as the smell of woodsmoke, which is fine in its place. That place is probably not your newly decorated interior! To avoid these pitfalls, you might prefer to cheat a little and go for a gas burning fireplace with faux wood; nowadays they actually look very good indeed. If wood doesn’t ‘light your fire’ you could choose fire rocks instead, which are not only on trend but can be changed on a whim.
Cast iron has been popularly used in the construction of fires and fireplace mantels since the Victorian era. With the advent of the industrial revolution, the production of cast iron soared, and thus it was used to create fires and fireplaces on a large scale. In fact, a typical Victorian fireplace was made entirely of cast iron – the combination cast iron fireplace comprised the grate, insert and fireback in one solid unit, and these were commonly found in bedrooms. Although commonly found, Victorian cast iron fireplaces were beautiful, with excellent standards of craftsmanship, and are still in demand today. Also, cast iron fires and fireplaces are still in production today, in line with the demand for cast iron reproduction fireplaces.