Fireplace Accessories- Advice For Decorating Your Fireplace In Style

It is simply a fact that decorating your fireplace with fireplace accessories could become a lifelong pursuit. When there are entire companies whose sole purpose is to sell fireplace accessories, you know that there must be a lot of choices out there! Accessorizing your fireplace correctly means that you have made the hearth the focal point of the room--and that is definitely a good thing! The fireplace is where stockings are hung with care, hot chocolate is sipped, and lovers rekindle romance. Here are some tips to help with decorating your fireplace so that it brings warmth to your living room whether there is a fire going or not.

Do not even start selecting your fireplace accessories until you take a good look around the living room and decide what style it is decorated in. Do you have a contemporary décor with a lot of clean lines, open spaces including vaulted ceilings, and bold colors such as black? Or perhaps you have a more laid back décor such as in the traditional style with a lot of floral patterns or plain colors on the upholstery and furniture made with gentle curves. Then again, maybe you have wainscoting going up the wall and your fixtures and furniture have a great deal of detail such as in the craftsman tradition. Accessorizing your fireplace correctly means matching all of the accessories for your hearth to the décor of your home. By deciding upon a style first, you have a starting point from which to base your decisions.

Fireplace accessories are not something that can be done with any single shopping trip. You want to begin with the essentials, first. As it is dangerous to think about lighting a fire without a proper screen, your fireplace accessory hunt should begin with finding a good shield against the sparks. It is important to remember that the fireplace screen is both decorative and functional. You will have to look at this accessory every day so it is important to find one that draws attention to the fireplace but still provides good spark protection. So long as the screen is at least 1 inch wider and taller than the fireplace opening, the spark protection should be adequate. Remember, accessorizing your fireplace is a process so take your time finding the right fireplace screen because they can be expensive to replace should you not like your choice down the road!

There are three fundamentals you still need when before you are ready to use your hearth: fireplace tools, a log holder, and a grate. Fireplace tools help you to manage the fire and clean up afterwards. Buying a cheap set may get you through but they will most likely look awkward with your décor and you will wind up buying ones that match your home anyway--so choose carefully! An exterior log holder need not be pretty but it is necessary to keep your wood dry. Selecting the right fireplace wood basket will make life a lot easier on you because running outside to get more wood can really be a mood killer. Finally, a grate or set of andirons are essentials when accessorizing your fireplace because they make sure that the wood has enough air flow to breathe.

Once you have the essentials, you can begin accessorizing your fireplace with wood baskets, bellows, firebacks, and whatever you desire. Just remember to stick with the theme of your décor and accessorizing your fireplace will become an obsession because every addition adds a little more character and charm to your hearth.

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Stone Fireplace Mantel Advice

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Stone fireplace mantels are an elegant way to add class and character to any room in your house. By understanding the different types of stone used in the construction of the mantel that you like the best, you will be able to pick the best stone fireplace mantel for your home. Remember to check the dimensions of the area where you would like the mantel installed, as well as the depth of the wall before you order your mantel. It can be incredibly frustrating to have your mantel arrive and find out that it won't fit in the room you ordered it for.

Stone fireplace Mantel Construction

Not all stone is created equal, nor is it equally priced:

* Natural Stone - marble, travertine, slate, granite, sandstone, limestone, and onyx can all be hand-carved into beautiful mantels. Limestone is the most common natural stone used for carving mantels and is usually the least expensive. Whether highly decorated or very simple, your stone fireplace mantel will have the character and unique patterns of natural rock. The complex veining in the marble and some of the other stones can stand on their own as decoration without any accent. Natural stone fireplace mantels will usually be more expensive than cast stone because of both the materials and the artisanship.

* Cast Stone - cast stone is man-made to look like natural stone. To make cast stone your mantel manufacturer will press a cement of gypsum and fiberglass or other minerals with a bonding agent into molds. The resulting bubbles and lines from the process mimic actual stone. Cast stone, although cheaper than natural stone, can still be pricey.

Natural stone is noncombustible, which means that you don't necessarily need an interior or surround for your fireplace. Cast Stone is usually noncombustible, but check with your manufacturer to be sure. Some stucco artists claim that they can achieve the same effect as cast stone around your fireplace for a fraction of the price. Ask these artisans for some examples of their work and remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Whether natural or cast stone, your fireplace will be a charming focal point for your home for years to come.

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