For many, the ideal modern decor includes a bank of windows with  a stunning view. What lies beyond the clean lines of your modern interior design needs to seamlessly flow into the outdoor space. Outdoor furnishings have gone way beyond grandmother’s glider. However, whether your design is contemporary or traditional, bringing in modern touches will give an outdoor space a fresh look.

Pared-down modern style that looks sophisticated but not skimpy, is achieved through a few rich color accents and intriguing focal points. Furnishing  a rooftop patio with unusual treatments in weather safe metals and fabrics allow for expression of personal style. Conversation areas on roof top patios can be centered around outdoor patio fireplaces.  Backyard dining areas benefit from both the modern lines and functionality of an outdoor wood fireplace.

Creating an upscale outdoor space with alot of amenities does not have to be expensive. The ultimate centerpiece for an outdoor room, a wood burning outdoor fireplace, follows modern design by combining form and functionality. It serves as much more than a focal point for those who want to grill over an open fire. With a Buschbeck outdoor fireplace kit being a do-it-yourself aspect of the design plan, more money may be budgeted towards additional furnishings. Not only are these outdoor fireplaces highly functional but the German design adds modern mojo to create a beautiful outdoor space.

If you have a traditional house, introducing contemporary pieces will give an eclectic mix. The selection of  contemporary touches transform a space, an outdoor space in particular, into a chic modern backyard.

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.

Have you noticed FOR SALE signs popping up all over town? Now that the school year is winding down, this is a great time to get your home listed. First impressions are crucial because studies have shown that most buyers make a decision about a house within 15 seconds of walking in the door! I wanted to share a few more thoughts on home staging in a competitive real estate market.

Experienced real estate agents will give staging tips that include cleaning until your home is spotless, next declutter, followed by depersonalizing. You may have taken the photos off the refrigerator, hidden stacks of paper from your desk and freshened up with a new coat of paint.  Look past your furniture, art and fireplace screen, it’s the bones of the house that must have a draw to the buyers.

Homes with strong architectural details add interest and anchor the home in a period or style. These features include crown molding, the stairwell and fireplace mantel. As you walk into a room the eye is drawn to the focal point, most commonly the fireplace mantel. To declutter and freshen up the mantel fireplace is one of the biggest staging tips I could give. A fireplace make-over project could include refacing the fireplace surround and installing a new mantel shelf. Fireplace mantels can be designed to overlap your existing facing material and provide a completely new custom look. Remodeling the fireplace mantel is completely adaptable keeping staging to sell and the home improvement upgrade within your budget. Think of this as an investment in your home. You may find illustrated measuring instructions or an installation guide helpful in deciding fireplace mantels that would best stage your home for buyers.

Enhancing the architectural elements of the fireplace mantel, as  your room’s primary focal point, will add to the overall home value, get it staged to sell and impact your showings. Staging is a short term marketing tool focused on the showing keeping the end goal in mind: SOLD!

Real estate staging helps a home seller make their home more attractive and appealing to potential buyers. The goal of staging is to make your home look its best while on the market. This may include repositioning furniture, adding plants or a new rug. While these elements create a warm attractive atmosphere, the buyer will look beyond these soft furnishings to the bones of the house. An investment into the home’s architectural features could have an immediate impact when that buyer walks into the door. Features like crown molding, built-in cabinetry and fireplace mantels are features that remain when your rug is rolled up and moved out.

Studies show staged homes sell for more money than un-staged homes. Where could a short term investment in your home have the greatest impact? The first step is getting buyers to actually come to see your house. Staged houses look better on the MLS pictures. Naturally these photos of your home would include a living or family room. The fireplace mantel is the focal point within a space that draws the eye and makes your home stand out. Beef up or update the mantel fireplace and surround could be what makes your home memorable during a showing.

Review competing listings and compare your fireplace mantel to others found inside homes in your market. This may help determine the extent of work the fireplace mantel needs. Out with the old shiny brass fireplace accessories. A new updated fireplace screen may be the only staging needed. A do-it-yourself update of the fireplace mantel shelf, replacing the facing on the fireplace mantel surround or complete remodel of the wood fireplace mantel with the help of a contractor may be in order. Putting a little work toward to stage your home and make-over the fireplace mantel may be what gives your home the edge over competing properties.

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!

Beautiful days are beckoning us, uproot yourself from your indoor environment and head outside. An outdoor space does not have to be limited to only patios or decks adjacent to the rear of the house. If your area is large you may want to consider multiple areas such as a sitting area, dining area or sun deck by a pool or spa. Having several cozy gathering areas are better for conversation.  Rather than congregating in one large crowd, it seems adults tend to break into smaller groups. Outdoor patio fireplaces warm up these sitting areas on cool evenings. While sun is great for your lounge chairs on the pool deck, you may consider a pergola, canopy or tent to keep your guests from wilting around an outdoor dining table. An outdoor fireplace adjacent to this dining area would extend its use through cooler seasons. Before you begin to spruce up your outdoor space for everyday enjoyment and entertaining, I’ve got a few points for you to consider:

• Size of the yard or space available
• Budget
• Sun or shade
• Number of people that need to be accommodated
• The function of the area includes sitting, lounging and/or dining areas

Design your outdoor room for versatility and comfort. Our wood burning outdoor fireplaces allow an outdoor room to be utilized in cooler weather and are available as a bay, pier, or see through and are able to burn coal, natural or propane gas in addition to wood. The interlocking design of our outdoor fireplace kit requires no mortar or glue. An outdoor wood fireplace could anchor these outdoor spaces enhancing your sitting area or dining area. Whether you have a sprawling yard or a postage-stamp- sized terrace, with planning your outdoor room can become the perfect place for relaxing and entertaining all season long.

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.

Timber frame construction is often seen in period homes and lodges, so appealing it is increasingly being used in newer homes. Incorporating the natural elements of rustic decor into your home will balance out the modern elements such as home electronics and kitchen appliances. Introducing the contrast of a rustic fireplace mantel to the smooth, thin, shiny elements is what prevents your room from being too serious or boring. Post and beam style mantels and shelves, proudly made in America by a family owned company with three decades of experience, are available in four types of solid wood. I am thrilled to see craftsman producing mortise and tenon joinery, secured with oak pegs, still exists.  Specially formulated finishes that they use definitely enhance and protect the character and natural color of the wood, whether you select Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Oak or White Pine. A solid wood fireplace mantel combines perfectly with river rock or stacked stone, easily found at your local home and garden store. Other natural stones such as granite, marble or travertine would be suitable facing; these kits could be shipped to your door, along with the timber mantel. You need a few simple tools and basic skills to install the rock surround facing and wood fireplace mantel, bringing texture from the outdoors into your fireplace mantel surround.We also have a variety of wooden fireplace mantels in addition to these timber fireplace mantels and rustic fireplace shelves. Home interiors have glass, mirror and now granite and stainless steel seems to be the “go to” surface choices. These hard edged materials call out for textural relief found in a rustic wood fireplace mantel.  We can have the guys in the shop begin cutting and prepping materials for your fireplace mantel today.

The fireplace mantel is the focal point of my family room, I want classic features I know will stand the test of time.  As I familiarize myself with the terms used to describe parts of a mantle, I come across “over mantel”. Over mantels are decorative structures, originally constructed of plasterwork or carved wood, basically a mantel set on top of the horizontal shelf of the bottom. The upper mantel may often be found having an ornamental panel with a mirror or painting in the center area.

I would love to introduce these classic features but am sure plasterwork or commissioning hand carved woodwork cost prohibitive; not to mention the challenge of locating skilled craftsman in my hometown. Cast stone is a masonry product used as an architectural feature, which is an excellent replacement for natural cut stone. Classic Cast Stone Mantels call upon renaissance details adapting over mantels to add to the interest of the mantel shelf, hearth and fireplace mantel surround facings. That oil painting once found in the center panel of the overmantel would have to be replaced by a flat screen television. A niche, 16th century recess introduced into the design especially for a statue, can be fashioned within an over mantel to accommodate our t.v. Cast stone crown molding could be customized to coordinate with the fireplace for our new mantel and over mantel.

Overmantels seem to be most commonly found in homes that have ceilings of ten feet or more because rooms with tall ceilings can definitely support the visual impact of an overmantel. This classic architecture really appeals to me, but I eight foot ceilings.  If you want this look too but don’t have tall ceilings either, don’t lose heart.  Custom fireplace mantel designs with over mantels are an option with fully customizable widths and heights, made to order, based on dimensions dictated by your home. Deb is the MantelsDirect.com cast stone expert and an excellent resource for questions about cast stone fireplace mantels.  Adding details to my fireplace mantel will enhance the architecture of my room, plus the introduction of an over mantel would definitely achieve the ‘wow’ from anyone who enters the room.