Relaxing around the fireplace on a cold winter's evening is purely magical. The hypnotic blaze helps take the nip out of the air while begetting atmosphere. For many decades, fireplaces have served to provide warmth and a place to prepare meals as well. They have never lost their attraction and, in fact, have made significant gains. During my five decades, their popularity has steadily traveled south though winters are stunted and summers are gargantuan. Though home heating technologies have (evolved over the years, fireplaces are still in vogue|Although the latest enhancements have been made in climate control for our living spaces, fireplaces continue to be in style.
I believe you"ll concur that with the improvements in climate control, the reason for the fireplace has markedly changed. Fireplaces are no longer simply for furnishing warmth. They are no longer used for preparing meals Stoves have been around for many decades. So why do we have this ever increasing fondness for fireplaces? My guess is that fireplaces provide that special ambience when they're aglow. And when they are not, they continue to add interest, focus and character to a room. Should I add "charm" as well? It would seem that fireplaces, and the mantels that frame them, have been one of the discrete architectural details that add to the flavor of our homes much like embellished stairs, arched doorways, or decorative range hoods. These are good examples of a marriage between utility and form.
"Wonderful marriage" is a conditional statement because not all marriages of art and function are made in heaven. I lately had the opportunity to walk through a home that was about 80 percent completed and saw some really ugly marriages. There was an island cabinet that had incredibly oversize and ornate brackets supporting the counter . The fireplace also had oversized stone pillars undergirding the mantel board. The best thing that could be said is: "More is not necessarily better". Thankfully, there are lots of beautiful cases of form and function-just not in that home.
For many years millworks suppliers have become adept at building fireplace mantels. Demand is usually one step ahead of supply Because most cabinet makers craft with wood, most mantels are fashioned from wood. Thick wooden slabs, under laid with crown moulding supported by ornate corbels and fluted pilasters are a widespread style for many millworks suppliers. Not so common are the hand fashioned variety still offered by artisan carvers in foreign lands. The distinction of these carved gems is unparalleled by the latest twenty firstcentury technological marvels. The slight variations and minor imperfections are a signature that says "hand carved" and ehances the charm and unique character. Mass production techniques will in my humble opinion, never equal the techniques of the masters. Carvers can undercut and form sharp interior cuts that are presently not possible with modern machinery.
Certainly fireplaces and the mantels that frame them are here for a long time. Like a marriage made in heaven, mantels and fireplaces have passed the test of time As long as there are homeowners and designers that can appreciate the charm and homey pleasure afforded by them, we should not expect their demise. More likely they will continue to grace the homes in the cold North as well as the hot and humid South.