Fire it Up
It might seem kooky to do a blog on fireplaces RIGHT when everyone is turning them off-finally! and we hit our hot months, but a lot of you are making the best of the weather for your renovations or it’s GO time for new construction. So with that said I have been planning and scheming for a few clients these past few weeks on fireplaces so I thought I would share my inspo’s and what is trending.
Traditionally the fireplace served as the heart of the home, after all it was the main source of heat for most folks! Currently most homes have gas or electric making the design aspect much more fun! The fireplace serves as heat yes, but as a focal point, ambiance setter, and as art in today’s modern homes.
If you are shopping for a new gas fireplace make sure you:
#1. Buy one that is rated excellent by the EnerGuide- that way you won’t be stressing over your gas bill and can feel ok about having it on as much as you want
#2. Ask for/Buy a remote control. Nothing sends me over the edge more than having to switch the fireplace on or off from the front plate of the fireplace. Especially if you are a couch napper or blanket co-cooner everytime you have to leave your nest this will irk you too!
#3 Always us a professional for adding a gas fireplace in your home
#4 The BTU # is the number tha
What better to lead to an outdoor area than this rustic inspired fireplace. The barnwood boards framed with the rustic beams screams Italian Villla! You can add rustic details to your home withOUT going farmhouse. Pair with modern furniture, glass accents, grennery and modern textured rugs to make it happen
Lots going on here BUT it works. We have a shiplap wall, a wood mantel, traditional framing of the fireplace and a herringbone tile accent. Everything is in good scale and the colors are all warm so it isn’t too busy
Most of my clients are liking this look these days- TV OFF the fireplalce wall and to the side and then some sort of built in shelf detail. After years of wall mounting fireplaces and people watching LESS tv look for this as the new standard
If I were a fireplace this would be me. A splash of modern, sleek finishing, Wood burning and a mantle the perfect size for display:)
Seeing alot of this too- smaller fireplaces with a panel wall accent. Very chic, very upscale, very 1970’s meets 1950’s
Outdoor fireplaces. If you can-DO
I am currently about to embark on this look in a new build. It will be a venetian plaster treatment in stucco to look like concrete! Can’t wait to share it with you
With a bit of planning ahead this is easy to achieve- drywall a box for your electric fireplace and a “cubby” for your logs…awesome mountian/mod look. Shout out to the feature ceiling treatment that ties in the wood logs.
Think low and long if you can’t go high
Also have this happening at a spec- we are going to stain the wood mantle the same as the floor to tie it in.Simple and Chic
Full disclosure— I don’t like herringbone food floors. I find it takes over a room too much. I LOVE it on a bathroom floor, as backsplash OR as a fireplace though. This looks fantastic and is a great way to make a serious design choice that you won’t tire of
Classic brick and wood mantle balanced by a light bright palette on the walls= modern classics
Pattern on the fireplace works well in a sitting room or a dining area
Tile again on the fireplace and again, TV mounted off centre.
Built ins and floating shelves on either side is a classic look because it works! Looks great and functions well especially for families!
t will tell you how much heat your place’ will kick out in your space. So if you have a larger room to heat make sure you get a fireplace with enough juice to the the job done.
Take a peak at what is trending………and read my notes on why and what is working:)
