| Fireplaces and fireplace mantels are fast | | | | of fireplace mantels, gas grills and wood |
| becoming a core feature in homes across the | | | | burning stoves and their surrounds, you |
| world as they add a real feature point to any | | | | either define a room from the start or give |
| formal or indeed casual living area. Funnily | | | | it an entirely new look you'll enjoy for |
| enough fireplaces have had a relatively short | | | | years. |
| history, considering that fire itself has | | | | |
| been around for hundreds of thousands of | | | | Fireplaces, which can increase the value of |
| years. | | | | your home, are more than ever the focal point |
| | | | of a room. The style of fireplace mantels and |
| Fireplaces only became common in 1367, when a | | | | its decor, whether stone, marble or finely |
| gentleman while visiting in Rome, was | | | | carved classic moulds sets the tone and |
| dismayed at the fire pit in his room so he | | | | character of your home. To enhance your |
| ordered his servants to build a chimney. They | | | | fireplace you may opt to include classical or |
| did so, adding his coat of arms above the two | | | | oriental rugs, antique furniture, and |
| fireplace mantels. That fireplace is now part | | | | traditional elements. Then again, you might |
| of history as ever since it has been the | | | | favors abstract paintings, art deco, or even |
| model of almost any room with a fireplace. | | | | a glass-screen.The choice is really up to you |
| | | | and is about personal choice. It ultimately |
| Not all fireplaces have mantels, of course. | | | | depends on how you want to use your fireplace |
| Most do however have either, a single shelf, | | | | within the room - as a feature or a backdrop. |
| a marble or tile surround, or a traditional | | | | |
| wood carving. Accessories such as mantels, | | | | Fireplaces can be purchased online from any |
| iron tools, guards and screens are an | | | | number of internet shopping malls. |
| important decorative feature of fireplaces | | | | Consistently browse online stores, looking |
| and can often set the tone of a room. And | | | | for the best price, as they often update |
| indeed the mantel itself has become a real | | | | their prices. Many online stores include |
| focal point of rooms as they allow photos, | | | | thumbnail sketches of rooms with fireplaces |
| antiques and family heirlooms to take pride | | | | installed, so you can see what the |
| of place within the room. Between the style | | | | installation looks like. |