You’ve been ready for summer since January, but what about your home interior? Put those rotting fire logs outside and get creative with your dormant fireplace. Freshen up your fireplace mantel during the warm months. Here a few fresh ideas for a beautiful display in your fireplace mantel.

Birch tree bark’s light shades and texture can bring alot of interest to an otherwise cold dark space. Buy birch at a garden center or on-line and cut it to your specifications. Measure the opening to get a full look without a gap on the sides. Pile one log directly on top of another in the opening, taking time and try them in different orders until you find the best arrangement.

A mirror would not only reflect light but a gorgeous rug facing the fireplace mantel. Visit your local framer to have a piece of mirror cut to the exact dimensions of the fireplace opening. Ask to have the edges of the mirror seamed, so they’re not sharp. Or simply lean a large framed mirror against the front of the hearth, as you might lean a piece of art against the wall above the mantel, if you don’t have pets or small children.

A surprising way to bring a glow to the fireplace is to insert an electric log set, striking when the light reflects against a shiny floor. This is a way to brighten up the fireplace mantel and hearth until the temperatures drop in the fall, so go ahead and snake the cord out of the opening to plug the electric fireplace in.

If it’s the mantel itself that you cannot get over, and the surround is what has caught your eye, I suggest you check out Ramsay from the Majestic Series of Classic Stone Mantels. Summer is a great time to renovate the whole fireplace mantel and surround to ensure the project is completed and ready for year end holidays.

Going green has reached the mainstream culture. If you want to purchase products which cause no harm or inflict the least amount of harm to the environment, you too have joined this movement. There are vented (requiring a chimney) and vent less fireplaces that create no soot, smoke or ashes. The video below spotlights some new environmentally friendly products, click the play button to check out the trendiest, hottest fireplace mantels and other gel fireplaces.

You can add a fireplace, to any room in your house, that has minimal impact to the environment. A ventless fireplace requires no expensive gas hook-up nor contractor for installation. Wall mount fireplaces, which are spotlighted first, blend the cozy romance of a traditional fireplace with a dramatic modern sensibility serving as a functional piece of art. The fireplace mantel pictured includes an electric log insert which has adjustable lighting and sound effects. The Avignon, by Classic Flame, operates with or without heat, so you can enjoy the ambiance of the fireplace mantel all year through. Gel fireplaces available in mantels and personal fireplaces utilize gel fuel made from isopropyl Alcohol which burns for one to three hours. The table top fireplace, Red Rock by Real Flame, is portable making it usable both indoors and out. Lastly, the video features another modern fireplace, similar to our Insight also by Real Flame, that incorporates glass into the clean line design.

No wood needed, no open flame, no toxic smoke or fumes released into your home nor up the flue, as these fireplaces are all vent less. Contact our team if you are ready to “go green” and need assistance in choosing a eco-friendly ventless fireplace!

On March 16, 2010 Dimplex North America announced a voluntary recall of plug-in remote control receivers included with certain electric fireplaces between 1998 and 2008. Dimplex customers will receive replacements free of charge. In the wake of the Toyota recalls, your first assumption might be that the company was somehow negligent in the manufacturing process to save money and/or worked to hide the issues. In my opinion, Dimplex is a very responsible organization with an excellent reputation based on strong engineering, product development and manufacture.It should be noted that the remote control receivers involved in this Dimplex recall were Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) approved. UL is an “Independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization. Testing products for public safety. We are all used to seeing the familiar ‘UL Approved’ insignia on the electric products we use. I can only assume that something within the receivers later developed issues that were not foreseen during the rigorous testing and approval process.I am satisfied that the company acted responsibly by choosing to volunteer for this Dimplex recall. I have visited Dimplex’s North American headquarters several times and have a very positive impression of company management and their dedication to the development and manufacture of the highest quality electric fireplaces. The company has put together a very simple process for distributing new receivers. Just complete a short form to receive a free replacement for your Dimplex remote control receiver.

The new Multi-Fire™ Electric Fireplaces from Dimplex “dazzle the eye, seduce the senses and redefine the fireplace experience by adjusting to suit the tastes of each individual.” Sounds like a tall order, but this electric fireplace system is unlike any other, when you consider the unique controls that enhance electric fire:

• Patented Dimplex flame effect
• Large 32″ firebox with over 700sq. in. viewing area
• Purifire™ Air Treatment System – continuously removes allergens and other irritants
• Realistic hand-finished logs with natural innerglow and pulsating embers
• Slow start/Fading embers – fire starts slowly, fades into glowing embers on command
• Occupancy sensor activates programmable flame and heat settings
• Firelight flicker effect – firelight flickers add the realism of a wood fire
• Ambient light sensor adjusts brightness to suit room lighting
• Intelligent heat – provides super quiet operation as it self-adjusts the fan speed
• Programmable thermostat – automatically maintains room temperature
• Deluxe 13-function remote control operates all features and settings
• Built-in adjustable mesh spark screen
• Removable bi-fold glass doors
• 10 year limited warranty

This really is a special fireplace system. The flicker effect adds a tremendous amount of realism to these new and improved electric logs.

The Multi-Fire™ electric firebox is paired with a group of well appointed mantels to create high-end electric fireplace mantel packages.

Dimplex Symphony® Encore Electric Fireplaces include: Denbury, Neo-Classic, Draped Alabaster, Traditional, Torchiere, and Classic French models.

More and more builders and homeowners are choosing built-in electric fireplace inserts instead of gas fireplaces for several good reasons:

• Simple installation – requires only a shallow built-in frame and household current (either 120 or 220v depending on desired heat output)
• No venting – unlike wood or gas fireplaces, electric fireplaces do not require expensive venting provisions.
• It’s green! – no wood or gas emission and electricity usage is minimal
• Looks Great – technology improvements coupled with more realistic electric log sets, working bi-fold doors and pull screens

The pictures below really show how terrific the newest electric fireplace inserts look in a variety of installations. The units shown are made by Classic Flame. Each of these units are self-trimming and are serviceable from the front. We also offer a complete selection of Dimplex units including a two sided package.

One of the most exciting new developments in Electric Fireplace Mantel styling is the advent of the media console. These electric fireplace mantel packages are designed to support flat screen televisions (each style will have a maximum length) and hold associated AV components and media.

The electric firebox will not interfere with performance of the television nor will it affect their warranties. You can’t beat the attractive styling, the ambiance and warmth of a fireplace and the ability to save space by making your flat screen television part of the picture. Models start at just $999 and are brought to us by manufacturers including Dimplex and Classic Flame.

We have just added several new Dimplex Electric Fireplaces from the Ovation Series. These fireplace mantel packages include a great selection (14 styles) of well built mantels, 30″ electric firebox, and digital remote control. As you come to expect with Dimplex, the log sets look great and the patented flame technology is a winner.

Each firebox comes with Purifire™ Air Treatment System that filters as it is heating. Mantel styles run the gamut from modern, to traditional, as well as corner units and entertainment centers.

We have recently added new Dimplex Electric Fireplaces with Multi-Fire electric fireboxes. These seven mantel packages feature a new 32″ Multi-Fire™ firebox with a collection of elegant, highly detailed mantels.  The quality of these packages are exceptional, given:

• Realistic hand-finished logs with natural inner glow and pulsating embers
• Patented Dimplex flame effect
• Bi-fold doors with adjustable mesh spark screen
• Programable thermostat that automatically maintains room temperature
• Purifire™ Air Treatment Center System
• Deluxe 13-function remote control
• Industry leading 10-year Limited Warranty

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Bet you could not have guessed the fastest growing fireplace category before reading the title above! Believe it or not electric fireplaces are “on fire”. The reasons for this growth are simple:

• Installation is easy, fast and inexpensive – all you need is regular household 120v current (in some built-in models you may choose to use 220v for higher heat output).
• Works for remodel or new construction whether you choose a built-in model, cabinet mantel, or insert.
• Operate the flame and heat independently.
• Low operating cost – uses very little electricity (as little as 3¢ per hour)

The most popular brands are Dimplex and Classic Flame, but Vermont Castings and Arrow Flame have some niche products that we like very much. For additional selections, see ElectricFireplacesDirect.com