3 Fireplace Ideas to Spruce Up Your Space

April 10th, 2012 by

Emily

Today’s post is about adding style to one of the most important elements of any home, the fireplace. A fireplace is one of the most important focal points that homeowners neglect. However, this does not have to be the case. With a little creativity and the right tools and accessories, a fireplace can be completely transformed into the formal centerpiece of any home.

1. The first fireplace mantel idea that is guaranteed to spruce up your fireplace is the addition of the right fireplace accessories. Although many consumers rarely use their wood burning fireplace, a set of fireplace tools and a fireplace screen can be the perfect accessories to give the appearance of formal luxury to a living space. Fireplace accessories imply the use of a fireplace even if a homeowner rarely chooses to burn an open fire. The right combination of antiqued copper or wrought iron fireplace accessories can often portray a formal, old world decor that will draw your guest into your living space.

This is a 3 Fold Arched Antique Copper Fireplace Screen

2. The second fireplace mantel idea that is guaranteed to give your living room some style, is remodeling your mantel with cast stone. Unlike traditional stone mantels that can require reinforced floor boards and the installation of reinforced steel supports, cast stone mantels are a relatively manageable weight and can be completed as a DIY project in a single afternoon. In addition to their light weight and ease of installation, cast stone mantels can be ordered in a variety of finishes to fit nearly any space. With styles ranging from very clean and simplistic to very ornate, a cast stone mantel renovation can help to rejuvenate almost any living space.

This is a very ornate style of cast stone mantel called the Seville.

This is a very simplistic style of cast stone mantle called the Franklin.

3. The final fireplace mantel idea that can help to rejuvenate a space is the addition of gas, or electric fireplace logs. The fact of the matter is, a large portion of traditional, wood burning fireplaces in America do not get used. Whether they do not like the smell of smoke or the hassle of chopping wood, most Americans avoid using their fireplace because they view it as a hassle. In recent years however, gas and electric log sets have given homeowners a new way to enjoy their fireplace without any of the hassles that traditional wood fires produced. Once a gas or electric log set is installed, a homeowner simply must flip a switch and they can be enjoying the warmth and ambiance of a fire within their very own home. The simple truth is, the best way to spruce up your fireplace, is to use it.

This is an example of an Electric Log Set.

This is an example of a Vented Gas Log Set.

Posted in Fireplace Accessories, Fireplace Mantels, Fireplace Screens, Fireplace Stone, Fireplace Surrounds, Fireplace Tools, Stone Fireplace, Stone Mantels | No Comments »

Fireplace accessories are key to any stylish living room

February 14th, 2012 by

Emily

Fireplace accessories are often one of the most overlooked aspects of living room remodels. After the mantel is installed and your new electric fireplace is glowing brightly, many people neglect to add those final touches of ambiance which make fireplaces such a welcoming aspect of every formal space. The fact of the matter is, almost no fireplace setting is complete without the accessories that make the space not only usable but also more complete.

For many people, one of the biggest concerns when buying an electric fireplace is the realistic nature of the flame. Although electric fireplaces have come a long way in the last decade, many consumers still muddle over the flame displays and worry that their guest will recognize the unit is not an actual fire. In fact, current flame displays are so realistic that this concern is largely baseless. If this fact does not calm their fears however, consumers can ensure a more convincing fireplace setting if they surround their electric unit with the accessories necessary for maintaining a traditional wood fire. Items such as fireplace grates and fireplace screens can add to the ambiance of a traditional living room by conveying the formal nature of fireplaces.

Fireplace screens have been in use for many years and their traditional purpose was to shield individuals from the excessive heat and burning embers that were often emitted from log fires. Even though concern over these issues is unnecessary for consumers who own electric fireplaces, fireplace screens are still symbolic of a working fireplace. Because of this, they still serve as an essential element when conveying the formal setting of a traditional fireplace. Whether a consumer is considering a single panel wrought iron screen or a four fold brass and black fireplace screen one fact is for certain, the addition of a fireplace screen will make any fireplace setting more welcoming.

Another common fireplace accessory that often goes overlooked is the fireplace grate. Fireplace grates were traditionally designed to help organize fire wood so that it would burn in a functional manner. In recent years however; fireplace grates have also become stylistic accessories which help to bring a romantic ambiance to fireplace settings even if the space no longer functions as a traditional wood burning fireplace. For examples, often people will decorate an empty fireplace with a iron grate and then fill the grate with a series of candles.

Regardless of the fireplace accessories you chose it cannot be denied that items such as fireplace grates and fireplace screens are necessary if you wish to make your fireplace a center point of your home.

For more information on fireplace accessories and how they can improve the style of your home check out this New York Times article on interior design and fireplace accessories.

This is a three fold bronze, wrought iron fireplace screen.

This is a black steel fireplace great featuring a tapered style.

Posted in Fireplace Accessories, Fireplace Grates, Fireplace Screens | No Comments »

Product Spotlight: Fireplace Accessories

July 12th, 2011 by

Christopher Atkinson

Mantels Direct makes it easy to accessorize your fireplace. We’ve highlighted some of our favorite fireplace accessories.

Fireplace Screens:

Fireplace screens will keep you and your family safe. Allowing a wayward ember or spark from a wood-burning fireplace to come into contact with your floor can have disastrous consequences. It only takes a small ember on a piece of carpet to cause serious floor damage. Families with small children and pets will also benefit from the barrier a screen creates in front of the fireplace. A fireplace screen will keep your toddlers safe and prevent pesky pets from coming into contact with the ashes.

In addition to keeping your family safe, fireplace screens look great! We carry a variety of styles and finishes to fit any room. If you’re looking to make a statement, try looking through our extensive catalogue of traditional fireplace screens. Or, if you prefer a minimalist approach we have a variety of contemporary styled fireplace screens available. Reinvent the feel of your room by adding a stylish fireplace screen.

Fireplace Tools:

If you have a wood burning fireplace and haven’t invested in a fireplace tool set prepare to be amazed! Fireplace tools make both maintaining and cleaning your fireplace a breeze! Our huge selection features a variety of styles and finishes that will complete the look of any fireplace.

Log Holders:

Keep your firewood organized with a log holder. We have a variety of different styles to fit your specific needs including log holders that convert into carrying bags, log holders on wheels, and log holders that can adjust depending on how much firewood you have at your disposal. We also feature a variety of log tote bags, which make transporting firewood a simple and hassle free chore.