Sooty to Sleek

In the not-so-distant past, a fireplace was more about function than beauty. Fireplaces provided a place to cook the family’s meals and, during chilly evenings, a place to gather for warmth. It was over the fireplace that water was boiled for washing clothes and even bathing. It was, simply put, an appliance.

Fireplaces, however, eventually took on a deeper meaning and became synonymous with home, comfort and peace of mind. During World War I, a popular song had soldiers asking their loved ones to “Keep the Home Fires Burning.” And during the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt’s weekly radio addresses were dubbed “Fireside Chats” because families would gather in front of the fireplace as they listened to his reassuring broadcasts. 

The role of the fireplace changed dramatically when the modern stove was introduced in the late 1800s. However, it was consumer demand for central heating that saw the fireplace evolve into more of a decoration than a necessity.

As décor items, fireplaces have not only moved out of the living room but even out of the house entirely. Today, savvy homebuilders are still incorporating energy-efficient fireplaces in living rooms, but also in bedrooms, bathrooms and even backyards.

Buyers looking for a dramatic focal point in their homes need look no further than some of today’s fireplace designs. From sleek contemporary looks offering linear flames to traditional styles that bring to mind the charm of yesteryear, the choices are endless.

The Masterpiece Design Group provided design and model merchandising services for Silliman Homes’ new Casa Cortile model, located at the Waterstone community in Windermere. The fireplaces in this California/Florida/Spanish hybrid are just one example of the home’s extraordinary detailing. The family room fireplace, the Cosmo SLR from Heat & Glo, provides a refreshing new look. This gas unit has no logs but employs a new burn-gas technique with several different options. Fronted by natural Vermont slate, it’s clean, adaptable to many design styles and provides warmth and ambiance perfect for a family room, bedroom or game room.

This detached cabana with fireplace was included to focus attention on the fact that formal living rooms are becoming a thing of the past.  Today’s buyers now want more real living space, so the move from inside living rooms to outside living rooms seems a natural progression. The cabana provides a perfect example; it includes a gorgeous stone fireplace, a plasma TV, comfortable seating and a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for family and friends alike.

Cabana fireplace photo courtesy of Masterpiece Design Group

EcoSmart fireplaces are environmentally friendly because they’re fueled by bioethanol, a renewable liquid produced from agricultural byproducts. There’s no smoke and no harmful emissions. Plus, because bioethanol is clean-burning, an EcoSmarrt fireplace doesn’t need a chimney or flue. The fuel is housed in a purpose-built tank, so there are no restrictive cables or gas connections. That means a unit can be installed just about anywhere, making it perfect for a smaller home or condominium.

EcoSmart fireplace photo courtesy of Beasley & Henley Design Group

Today’s contemporary fireplaces, such as the RED Series by Heat & Glo, are steadily gaining in popularity among homeowners looking for non-traditional options. RED (Rectangular European Design) is setting the standard for custom linear gas fireplaces, with recessed glass that creates the illusion of open flame and unconventional shapes that add visual interest. Fireplaces from the RED Series come in stone and glass with enhanced accent lighting and porcelain or granite refractory lines.

Red40 fireplace photo courtesy Four Seasons Gas Service, Inc.