A fireplace can truly add warmth to your home, in more ways than one. Not only can it heat your body in the winter, but it can truly offer a wonderful cozy feeling to your living room or family room. A fireplace can also be a drab thing that takes away from a nice space. The fireplace itself may not leave you many options as far as appearance goes, but you can work wonders with the addition of some quality antique pieces.
If you have a fireplace, and you are interested in dressing it up with something original, something with class, and something aesthetically pleasing, consider antiques. There are a number of antique fenders, fireboxes, and fireplace tools that can create the visual effect that you want.
The most common and traditional fireplace addition is a brass antique. Having a shiny, antique, brass gate, fender, and/or tools can brighten up a dull fireplace quickly and easily. When the fireplace is on, it will illuminate the color on the brass, especially if the lights are dim. Not only is it nice to look at, but it is romantic, too.
Another option for your fireplace is an antique fireplace surround. You might choose an antique brass, neo-classical, or Victorian fireplace surround to outline your fireplace. A choice like this can give character to the fireplace and the room itself. You can create the feeling that you are in Victorian times, or just make the room feel luxurious and high-class. It is up to you.
Antique folding screens might also be a nice option for your fireplace. These might be brass trimmed, iron, or silver faced. A screen that does not fold, or a gate that does not have a screen might also be a variation you should consider. Depending on the style you are looking for, how nice-looking your fireplace is on its own, and safety concerns, you may want a screen, and you may not want a screen. Every fireplace is different.
You might be interested in going all out and purchasing an antique mantel for your fireplace. There is nothing wrong with that, either. Many mantels come in wood or brick, and other materials. You might want to add pictures on top of the mantel, or put up figurines, flowers, or other antiques.
No matter what your taste, you can't go wrong with using antiques to dress up your fireplace. You just have to shop around for just the right one to suit your style.
Fireplaces have been focal points of attraction in the house. However, it is the fireplace mantel that really brings out the beauty of a fireplace. It serves a fireplace like a frame serves a picture. A proper mantel can also boost up the value of the house as an asset because it brings out the beauty of the house' centerpiece.
Fireplace mantels have long been around, dating back to the Renaissance Period in Italy. The earliest designs were inspired by the architectural supremacy of the Greeks and the Romans. These designs were heavily embroidered with lavish designs and accessories. During the advent of the Edwardian era, the designs of mantels became more subtle. Today, design and materials come together to determine the overall look of the fireplace mantels.
There are two main things to consider when choosing the proper mantel for your fireplace. An improperly chosen and installed fireplace mantel is as bad as not having one at all.
Here are some important factors to look at:
-Type of mantel
Choosing the right type of mantel for your fireplace is the most important factor to look at. Different house motifs require different types of fireplace mantels. For older houses which are preserved well (which owners would want to further preserve) an antique fireplace mantel would be suitable. We are referring to colonial-style houses. The antique mantels have this certain timeless quality in them that brings back the designs of the older eras.
In determining the right type of mantel, people should first look at whether they would like to have a mantel shelf or a surround mantel (with designs on the side). Mantel shelves work differently in the sense that they accentuate the fireplace like a crown uplifts a king. The shelves are usually holds the prized possessions of the homeowner and display them for the visitors to see. Mantel surrounds accentuate the fireplace by giving dimensions to the sides of the fireplace.
-Material
Choosing the material to be used in the fireplace mantel is as important as choosing the design of the mantel. There are several materials which have become popular in terms of fireplace mantels. Let's take a look at wooden mantels first.
After the First World War, wooden mantels started gaining popularity throughout the world. The main reason why it ascended in terms of popularity is that wooden mantels are relatively easy to install (as compared to stone or marble). Oak is perhaps the most popular kind of wood that is used in fireplace mantels because of its superior quality. Fiberboard is gaining popularity as an alternative material because it is cheap and elegant looking material.
A good thing about wooden mantels is that one can choose the kind of varnish or paint color that will be used. A downside in using wood as a mantel is that wood is combustible. One should check the local fire department with regards to the regulations in using wood as a fireplace mantel.
Stone mantels are one of the oldest fireplace mantels. The use of stone as a material for mantels can be traced back to the 16th century. The most popular kinds of stones that are used for mantels are marble, slate granite and limestone. However, the use of these stones can be quite heavy for one's pockets. Cast stone, which is a pre-fabricated kind of stone, is popular today since it is very cheap as compared to the other stones. It resembles the expensive stones at a least-costly price. Cast stone mantels are usually priced starting at seven hundred dollars.
The fireplace mantel is as equally important as the fireplace itself, perhaps not in terms of functionality, but definitely in terms of aesthetics. Properly choosing the right type of mantel and the right materials are the two most important things in installing a fireplace mantel. Mantels can really be costly but they will really bring out the beauty of a house and increase its value.
Both Victor Epand & Lee Dobbins are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Victor Epand has sinced written about articles on various topics from Shopping, Trucks and Interest. Victor Epand is an expert consultant for pottery, antiques, and figurines. When shopping for pottery, antiques and figurines, we recommend these online stores for . Victor Epand's top article generates over 11100000 views. to your Favourites.
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