Additionally, the experience of a friend of mine who, sitting in her local vets recently, overheard numerous telephone calls from worried pet owners enquiring about the dangers of an open fireplace to their pet, made me think I hadn’t given this subject enough thought (actually, I hadn’t given it any thought at all).

So here’s the lowdown:

Just as with humans, unless they are ill or infirm, all animals will move away from fires if  it gets too hot or the air quality is poor. Some animals, usually the ones we love the most, are just plain stupid and, because they love the warmth so much, will edge much too close to the source heat.

It makes sense then that, if you have a dumb animal in your life, you use a firescreen.  Then you can all enjoy the cosiness that comes with a real fire!

The word hearth was originally used simply to describe the part of a room where the fire was made; initially constructed  simply by beating the earth to compress it. This fireplace came to be constructed from stone, brick and tiles, the earliest fires being retained in a simple shallow stone pit.

Similarly, chimney design went through a number of changes before they became something we would recognise today. The first chimneys were, in fact, simple holes in the roof that allowed the smoke to escape, thereby freeing householders from choking on it, and they tended to be confined to cooking areas and kitchens. As always, necessity was the mother of invention.

Governments and rulers have always understood that taxation on necessities is a good earner, and fire has always been a necessity, so it was that the Anglo-Saxons paid their smoke farthings to the king, unless they were deemed to be too poor to afford it. Then, in 1662, the English government levied a tax on all hearths, save those in the meanest cottages.  This 17th century tax was a profitable one and, at two shillings per hearth,  resulted in £170,000 a year flowing into the government’s coffers; it was also unpopular tax and was repealed in 1689.

From the 12th century onwards, chimneys survive in profusion, however they were so costly that only the rich could afford them, the rest of the population relied on timber smoke hoods were used to draw the smoke from the room. The wisdom of using timber to build a structure so close to an open fire is debateable. Up until this time, dwellings were simply one storey constructs; it wasn’t until masonry chimneys and fireplaces replaced the smoke hoods that ordinary houses could have more than one floor.

By the 17th century, however, chimneys had become so desirable an architectural feature that  houses were actually designed around them.  This is why, in some homes from that era, you will see that a stone chimney stack is the sole supporting structure for not just one house, but the one next door too.

It is, though, from the fire’s fittings and accoutrements that we can learn most about how life was lived.

Solid wood possesses a beauty all of its own; the warm tones provide comfort and warmth, and the natural grain of all woods, highlighted by being polished, waxed or varnished, really brings an inherent richness to all interiors, both traditional and contemporary. Today, most fireplace manufacturers get their solid timber from sustainable sources, meaning that any damage to the environment is minimised.

Anglia produces solid wood fireplaces of the highest calibre, with quality and performance at the heart of the business. From classic fireplaces to the most contemporary of designs, Anglia has it all. The company has a showroom in Cambridge, where there is an impressive range of over 60 fireplaces.

Be Modern is at the forefront of solid wood fireplace manufacture, having been in business for over 40 years. Their lifestyle collection features a selection of modern timber fire surrounds and mantels, and these are perfect for the contemporary home. The Kansas, in American Walnut or Natural Oak, is a striking example of modernity. Be modern also sell a range of smaller surrounds and mantels, perfect for smaller rooms.

Focus Fireplaces make the bold claim that they ‘manufacture the finest range of modern and traditional fireplaces available’, and this certainly seems to be true -their traditional range consists of no fewer than 6 collections of fireplaces, whilst their modern range features 3 collections. All ranges are available in a wide choice of timbers, including beech and oak, and the craftsmanship of these fireplaces is second-to-none. To view the collection and locate your nearest stockist, visit the Focus Fireplace website.

Kilkenny Living is one of Ireland’s largest fireplace and fireplace accessory showrooms, and they offer a wide selection of solid wood fireplaces in classic and contemporary styles. There are a few examples of Kilkenny Living solid wood fireplaces showcased on their website, and these combine quality with beautiful designs. Visiting the Kilkenny website will no doubt leave you wanting to see more, and a warm welcome awaits you at the showroom.

West Country Fires have a good selection of modern wood fireplaces, such as the Cortina. This stylishly simple solid wood contemporary mantel is made to a high standard by Trent fireplaces, and is available in a range of wood finishes. The Cortina will make a worthy focal point in any modern home, and West Country sell a wide range of back panels and hearths that will complement this surround beautifully.

The Estoril is a wonderfully classic fireplace with a modern twist, in the neo-classical design. This lovely wood fireplace comes complete with matching black hearth, and, like the Cortina, is available in a range of wood finishes. The Umbria mantel is simple yet elegant, and features a gracefully curving fireplace opening. It comes in a range of wood finishes and, although made from MDF, a solid hardwood version is available. Contact West Country Fires for prices and any other enquiries.

Emsworth Fireplaces have been manufacturing fireplaces since 1934. They manufacture a wide range of fireplaces, both traditional and modern, and also manufacture and supply dog baskets, hob grates and solid fuel stoves. At present, Emsworth has a collection of 18 modern wood fireplaces – the Fulking box section mantel is made from chunky pine, and would provide a striking focal point in any room.

The Chiddingly is shown on the website in warm oak, and features beautiful wood markings. Like the Estoril, the Chiddingly is a modern mantelpiece with a classic twist, and will look at home in any modern interior. If you are looking for something unique in your modern wood fireplace, Emsworth also offer a bespoke service, where they work hard to bring your dreams to reality. Contact the company with any enquiries.

Wood makes an ideal fireplace material for many reasons; it is durable and hardwearing, easy to carve, versatile and comes in many finishes and colours – wood may be stained or painted in virtually any colour, in order to match a room’s décor. A wood fireplace evokes comfort and warmth more than any other material.

Today, there are probably more wood fire surrounds than any other type of fireplace. Original period fireplace mantels are offered by fireplace specialists and salvage yards, and these can add valuable originality to period properties. Modern technology has ensured that quality reproduction wood fireplaces are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, yet much more affordable.

Thanks to MDF, fireplaces can now be mass manufactured very cheaply and offer the customer an alternative to the expensive solid wood fireplace. MDF makes up the main body of a fireplace, and then a thin layer of timber (veneer) is laid onto this and stained in various colours. MDF is a very strong material that withstands temperature change very well, so it is an excellent (and economical) choice for a fireplace. As well as MDF, most fireplaces made from solid wood are fashioned from pine or oak and then stained in various wood finishes such as mahogany, yew, and various shades of oak or pine.

Wood really is a versatile fireplace material, and whatever type of wood fireplace you choose, it will look lovely when paired with any other type of fireplace material, such as cast iron, stone, slate and marble. It is also easy to maintain and, like stone and marble, has a timeless appeal, fitting well into all types of home, both traditional and contemporary. A real bonus of the wooden fireplace is that much of the timber comes from sustainable sources, lessening the negative impact on the environment.

Chesney’s has an excellent collection of antique fireplaces on offer, from the Georgian, Regency and Victorian eras, in addition to French and Italian antique fireplaces.

Limestone fireplaces on offer include a 19^th century chimneypiece with moulded Gothic arch, and also available is an unusual and attractive early 20^th century French limestone mantel, with rosette carvings.

A particularly beautiful example of an antique limestone fireplace is a French Louis XV style chimneypiece, with exquisite panelled serpentine frieze and central scallop shelled cartouche. All antique fireplaces are expertly restored by Chesney’s experienced craftsmen, and the company are happy to deal with any enquiries – contact them through their website. The good news is, although Chesney’s is based in London, they have stockists throughout the whole of the UK.

Wharton Antiques, based in Somerset, has a large collection of antique limestone fireplaces on offer. One of these is a simple but attractive English limestone fireplace. Also available is a lovely late 18^th century French limestone fireplace with decoration from Nimes, France – some restoration has been carried out to the jambs.

Wharton Antiques even has an original 16^th century Renaissance limestone chimneypiece, pictured on their website whilst undergoing restoration. Contact Wharton Antiques if you have any enquiries about any of the antique fireplaces they have in stock. There are many other period stone fireplace dealers on the Internet, and, if you are looking for such a fireplace, it is worth going online. This way, a wide range of dealers are available to you from all over the world, maximising your chances of finding the antique limestone fireplace of your dreams.

Manorhouse Stone is primarily an Internet-based company, and have been in the stone fireplace business for 30 years. The company is based on a farm in Leicestershire, and, although most business is done online, visits to the premises can be arranged via appointment.

All Manorhouse stone fireplaces are carved from natural French Limestone or Sandstone, and designs are taken from the great English houses of the 1300s and 1400s – notably, the Tudor, Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.

The excellent thing about Manorhouse French limestone fireplaces is that they come in a range of sizes: extra small, small, large and extra large. These closely  emulate the fireplace sizes of the above period, in order that all sizes of room may be catered for.

In addition to the collection above, Manorhouse does a ‘Bolection’ range of fireplaces: these feature the classic curved form, popular in Southern France in the 18th century, and are very popular as they make a beautiful focal point in any home. There are 4 different types of fireplace in the Bolection range, and Manorhouse are happy to produce such fireplaces in different size requirements. See the website for details.

Manorhouse is available to work on a commission basis, and the company has been called on to design unique fireplaces in the UK and all over Europe. Examples of the amazing sandstone and French limestone fireplaces the company has designed can be viewed on their website; nothing is too complicated or too much trouble for the highly experienced masons at Manorhouse. If you have any queries regarding the bespoke service, do not hesitate to contact the company.

Limestone was very popular as a building material in the middle ages, particularly in Europe and North America. Many medieval European castles and churches were made from limestone, as were the pyramids of Egypt – this is surely the ultimate testament to the longevity of limestone.

Limestone is a very soft yet strong, durable material, and, being soft, is easy to carve and cut into blocks. Thus, the material is ideal for use to fashion into limestone fireplaces. Limestone has been used in fireplaces for hundreds of years, and today there are many types of fireplace made from limestone on the market. The older, original limestone fire surrounds are available from antique fireplace specialists and reclamation yards, whilst other retailers sell excellent reproduction and contemporary limestone fireplaces at a fraction of the price of antique versions.

Limestone, like marble, is very soluble, and especially so if exposed to acid. For this reason, it is important to keep acid-based cleaning solutions away from your limestone fire – instead, use a mild or neutral alkaline-based solution. Acid cleaners will cause etching on your limestone surface, causing scratching and abrasions.

Most limestone fireplaces come in light neutral colours, such as off-white, cream and various shades of beige. Unlike marble fireplaces, limestone can stain easily, so good retailers may recommend you get your limestone fireplace chemically sealed. Keeping such a fireplace clean is relatively simple – just use a damp sponge with soapy water.

The various types of limestone fireplace are:

1. Agean limestone: an off-white coloured limestone from Turkey.

2. Portuguese limestone: the beige-coloured limestone from various regions within Portugal.

3. Moca Crème: a veined, beige Portuguese limestone.

4. Semi Rijio: The cream/fawn limestone with light veining from Portugal and Spain, which is the most popularly used.

5. Other types used include Calisa Capri, an ivory, mottled limestone, and Moleanus, a lightly mottled Portuguese limestone with a slight sheen.

If your DIY skills are OK and you wish to have a go at fitting a stone fireplace, here are some tips to help you:

1. If you buy a ready-made stone fireplace, it will come with a fixing kit designed to make fitting easier. Follow instructions carefully and make sure you have all the correct tools to hand. If you do not feel confident handling the job alone, enlist the help of a friend.

2. If you are feeling particularly brave, you may wish to build your stone fireplace from scratch. The first job will be to decide which type of stone is to be used and the style of fireplace to be built – will it reach from floor to ceiling? Go across the whole wall? Whichever type of stone fireplace you build, the supporting structure will have to be built accordingly. Gather all material and tools together.

3. If you are a complete novice, it may be wise to use a stone fireplace kit rather than individual stones – this will be much easier to put together.

4. If you are building a fireplace from scratch, you will need a template. Measure around the fireplace and make the template, according to measurements, on a wooden board.

5. Pack the stone tightly within the template in the chosen pattern, using a diamond blade saw to cut the stones, in order to ensure a good fit.

6. Mix mortar and apply to the back of each stone, using a trowel. Install stones on the hearth first, in desired pattern. There are many colours of mortar, so choose one that complements the colour of stone used.

7. Build the fireplace frame, with 2 by 4 pieces of wood and a nail gun. Secure in place.

8. Fix stones to the frame with mortar. When this has dried, use mortar to fill any spaces between the stones.

9. Place grout between the stones, using a damp sponge to wipe any excess away. If slate is used, a sealer will need to be applied.

If this is your first attempt at fitting a fireplace, it is probably wise to stick to a basic design. If you want something elaborate, it is always best to seek the advice of a professional in regard to fitting a stone fireplace.

The Open Fire Centre, Oldham, sells a good variety of York stone fireplaces. There are 20 to choose from, so there really is a York stone fireplace to suit everyone. All models are named after Yorkshire rivers, and the Aire is a beautifully simple yet contemporary fireplace, available in 3 types of Yorkshire stone: sandstone, limestone and gritstone. The Colne is a traditional fireplace, featuring a cathedral-arched fireplace opening and intricate patterning to the front of the mantel – available in the same 3 types of York stone as the Aire.

The Ouse is a grand example of a York stone fireplace, and has decorative columns at either side, with decorative mantel- shelf and thick hearth. This fireplace is suitable for freestanding fireplaces, which sit in a recess on the mantel.

All York stone fireplaces are contemporary with a touch of tradition, meaning that they are an ideal focal point for any home, traditional or modern. For prices or any other queries regarding their range of fireplaces, contact The Open Fire Centre.

York stone hearths are also available at the Open Fire Centre, and these are ideal for use with stoves. All types of York stone are very durable and able to withstand the heat from a burning stove extremely well. Also, the stone is very easy to clean – for general cleaning, simply use a clean damp cloth. For stubborn marks, warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush should easily remove such markings. There are various types of York stone fireplace hearths available, such as 5 piece ones suitable for the hottest fires, and curved or facetted hearths, ideal for corner stoves.