Fireplace Decorating

Fireplace Getaway

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Thinking about the fireplace makeover contest over at Brick-Anew got me thinking about their excellent line of fireplace paint products, which I’ve used before and which I plan to use again once I close on my mountain getaway next week.

That’s right, I haven’t mentioned it here yet, but when I wasn’t on the road this fall and summer talking to other fireplace enthusiasts around the country, I spent a good chunk of time up in the Smoky Mountains, looking for a home away from home. No, I didn’t win the lottery – far from it –but I figured if I got far enough off the beaten path and found a place that needed a little (no, a LOT) of tender loving care, maybe I could swing it.

Anyway, the place I finally found is awesome – or it will be, once I finish fixing it up. It’s got two bedrooms, a rustic kitchen and a front porch I absolutely cannot wait to sit on next summer. Not surprisingly, if you know me, this little slice of paradise also comes with a truly amazing masonry hearth that dominates the living room. I had a few pictures I planned on posting here at Fireplace Decorating, but last time I was up there I dropped my digital camera in the stream at the back of the property trying to snap a photo of a three-point buck.

Oh well. I’ll try to take a couple more pics when I head up there next month to clean out the old firebox and scrub and paint the fireplace brick. In the meantime, I’ve posted a picture of a vaguely similar fireplace so you can get the basic idea. Mine’s not in as good a shape, of course – like I said, I didn’t win the lottery -- but that’s what the fireplace paint is for, right? When I get done, mine’s going to look even better.

Want a Whole Lotta Logs?

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:57:00 +0000

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything here at Fireplace Decorating. Over the past few months, while I’ve been off at trade shows and otherwise checking out the latest developments in fireplace technology, my pal Sam’s been stoking the hearth here at FD and I certainly do appreciate it. After all, somebody had to keep the home fires burning.

But now that the weather’s getting nippy again, I’m ready to stay put for a little while, which means sharing a few more anecdotes and fireplace tips with you while I enjoy the warm pleasures of the hearth as we enter the holiday season.

Speaking of the holidays, and speaking of my buddy Sam, a couple weeks ago he mentioned that the folks over at Brick-Anew are hosting a great fireplace makeover contest this month. As I understand it, they’re giving away $200 for the best testimonial and before-and-after pics sent in by November 25. Shoot, if I didn’t think they’d recognize my name, rank and serial number from the trade show circuit, I’d enter the contest myself. Two hundred big ones would keep me in firewood clear into New Year’s…

Get Your Brick Fireplace Ready For Turkey Day 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Hi Everyone - if the ugly brick on your fireplace is making nervous about this Thanksgiving checkout Brick-Anew.com. They are running a fireplace makeover contest where you can win $200.
Fireplace Brick Paint
Transform Your Fireplace Decor.
Eye Catching Tones and Colors.
Let us know if you update your fireplace for this Tday.

Checkout the contest page:
http://www.brick-anew.com/contest.html

Remodeling Makeover Challenge - 3 Rooms Under $1000?

noreply@blogger.com (Sam) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:56:00 +0000

Here's my challenge, I live in a traditional 40 year old house. You know one of those 5 - 4- door with old brick, ugly tile, and rooms that need a lift. Rooms to be refreshed: Living Room - Office - Bath. My goal is to have all 3 projects completed by Labor Day for under a $3000 or $1000 per room. Can it be done?

Follow my progress on all three projects. I would love comments and ideas as the project progresses. Check out the problem areas:

Living Room - Brick needs updating. Should I resurface, reface, paint? What about new fireplace doors, gas logs, flat screen tv?

Office - can you believe I stare at this wall all day while working? What about a fake fireplace, wall mount fireplace, flat screen tv/computer monitor?

Bath - Wow this tile is ugly, the wall paper is ugly. Do I have to rip it all out? What about refinishing the tile, replacing the tile, covering the tile. I'll need to look into all options.

Strike While the Andiron is...Cold?

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Don't Wait for the Blooms to Fade...
Now is the Time to Invest in Your Fireplace!

You may not be thinking about your fireplace much right now, but you ought to. Yes, the sun is shining, the thermometer is rising and the hot cocoa and homemade cookies have been replaced by lemonade and fresh fruit—but much as I hate to remind you, summer doesn’t last forever. Before you know it, the suntan will fade and it’ll be fall again. Sitting in front of the fireplace you’ve been meaning to paint for the past five seasons, or opening the glass fireplace doors that have been falling off their runners since you bought your house, you’ll think, ‘Why didn’t I fix the fireplace up back when I wasn’t using it every other day?”

The fireplace is just like anything else we buy in that the best time to go shopping for new accessories or to update what you have is when it’s the furthest thing from your mind. Why? Because it’s the furthest thing from everybody else’s mind, too. And when nobody else is thinking about fireplace remodeling, that’s when retailers give the best deals. Anyway, it’s a heck of a lot smarter to change out the gas logs or the fireplace grates when they’re cool to the touch.

Keep the Homefires Burning, Indoors and Out

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:59:00 +0000

Outdoor Fireplaces Bring the Living Room Outside

When summer rolls around it’s easy to lose the fireplace spirit. Outdoor temperatures rise and we become less concerned with saving on heat and more with keeping the a.c. in good working order and minimizing our use of the oven. For many families, the period from May to September is a time for sitting on the patio and grilling out, maybe sneaking in a quick game of badminton between the burgers and the brats.

Of course, there’s no reason we can’t have the best of both worlds. The number of people who enjoy a fire year-round is growing all the time, as evidenced by the current trend in outdoor fireplaces, and it’s not as outlandish an idea as you might think. As the mercury rises there’s absolutely no reason not to take the party outside and under the stars. The flames dance that much higher in the open air and the crackle of the kindling will even give the crickets a run for the money.

So why not look into an outdoor fireplace as a way to keep the home fires burning until cooler temperatures return? If you get tired of badminton you can pull up a chair and stare into the flicker the same as you did back in December—and while you’re at it, you might even make plans for fixing up the indoor hearth so it will be ready when the leaves finally start to fall. Now is the time to think about things like new fireplace doors or fireplace blowers, not once the temperatures have already dropped. After all, summer goes by more quickly every year and before you know it you’ll be shivering again.

A Fireplace in the Kitchen: What a Concept

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:59:00 +0000

Old-World Fireplace Charm...in the Kitchen!

I’ll be honest: apart from the rare power outage brought on by an ice storm, or the occasional impulse to snatch an Oscar Meyer from the Frigidaire’s deli drawer and plunge it into the flames for a quick late-night snack, I don’t use my fireplace too terribly often for cooking.

For one thing, as anyone who has stewed a piece of beef or roasted a bird over an open flame in the middle of the living room can tell you, fireplace cooking can be an awkward endeavor. When you try to up the ante from hotdogs to haute cuisine, or you get overly ambitious trying to locate your inner Julia Child, it can prove not only messy but dangerous. Don’t watch what you’re doing and you’ll spill beef bourguignon all over the shag carpet. Turn your back too long and you might just ignite the coq a vin.

I’m being dramatic, of course, and we shouldn’t be so scared—or so reluctant. After all, it wasn’t so many years ago that our ancestors cooked virtually every meal over an open hearth. Indeed, I just came across this article about 19th century kitchen fireplaces in New England and started wondering why I don’t have a hearth in my kitchen instead of a stainless steel Kenmore gas range. I mean, I like cooking with gas as much as the next home chef, but just imagine how much cooler—or no, hotter—it would be if I could reach a pair of tongs into the fiery pit and pull out a freshly roasted breast of duck, its skin glistening golden and crisp.

My next home’s going to have a fireplace built in right between the range and the pantry, I’ve decided. And until then, I’m going to make the most of what I have by cooking over my existing fireplace a little more often than I do. No, I’m not going to break out the cast iron cook pots or install a rotisserie behind the fireplace doors so I baste half a goat, but there is a half a pack of brats in the fridge as I type this and I see no reason not to cook one to a charbroiled blister and stuff it between a bun warmed right there in the fireplace foot for a little midnight snack. I mean, why not? The fire’s already lit--and I'm starving.

Fireplaces in the News

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:26:00 +0000

Antique Fireplaces Are Interesting, But Are They Realistic?

Fireplaces seem to get hotter all the time. How else do you explain two articles in two days about how cool they are--and in, of all places, the New York Times?

The latest thing, apparently, is to retrofit your fireplace with vintage accessories, like old andirons and antique screens. And overall, it seems like a pretty sharp idea--a way to make your fireplace a one-of-a-kind focal point and get your friends talking about your aesthetic sensibilities.

I mean, I gotta tell you: if I could track down a 19th century wrought iron and bronze firescreen like the one New York restaurateur and hotelier Sean MacPherson found at a demolition resale outlet, my fireplace enthusiast heart would be, well, stoked. After all, how cool would it be to have a genuine antique like that one right here in my living room? I might even consider selling tickets.

Problem is, Macpherson apparently paid $8,500 for that rusty old hunk of metal, beautiful though it may be once he finishes refinishing it, and that's a just a wee bit more than we can realistically justify here at the blogspot. I mean, can you imagine what the missus would say when she finally noticed the price tag?

Of course, I don't mean to make too much fun of Mr. MacPherson. On the contrary, I respect just about anybody out there who himself respects and enjoys a well-built fire. And to be entirely fair, next time I make it up to the Big Apple I might just have to check out one of his businesses, if only so I can see firsthand the works of art he has given new life. Kudos, indeed. In the meantime, however, I intend to work with what I have--and what I can afford.

While I may, in fact, go rummaging around for some vintage tools--it never hurts to have more than one set, I always say--I am more inclined, in most cases, to look for affordable fireplace alternatives, to hunt down those accessories that will give me a coveted antique look without costing me a modern-day fortune. That's right, I'm talking about replicas, people.

After all, what announces the fireplace's overall aesthetic more immediately than a mantel that looks old but actually isn't? What's better than a vintage look without all that rust, never mind the antique market markup? For my money it's almost always better to say "out with the old, in with the new"-- at least until I can afford to spend $8,500 on a single piece of metal.

Your Own Private Fireplace

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:58:00 +0000

A Fireplace in the Bedroom Heats Things Up

We talk a lot about the hearth as a place for the entire family to gather on a cool winter night, but we don’t talk as much about fireplaces in other rooms of the house. At one time, though, many homes were built with multiple fireplaces, and sometimes with a fireplace in every room. Can you imagine? You wander from the living room to the bedroom and the crackle never stops, the warmth follows you wherever you go. What luxury, what pleasure, what a satisfying way to spend the morning or wind down at night. It must have been nice.

Sadly, the days of a fireplace in every room are all but gone, or at least out of most home buyers’ reach. Builders don’t usually build that way nowadays and the majority of us just don’t have the extra capital to invest in the extra amenities. We’re happy to have the one we’ve got, and we settle for the extras we know we can afford, like new fireplace doors and fireplace mantels. It’s not a bad life. In fact, it’s pretty doggone good.

But what if I was to suggest just one additional fireplace? And what if I were to suggest that the extra fireplace go in the master bedroom, where it can be enjoyed by you and your spouse after the kids go to bed, where its snap and its crackle can work their magic undisturbed?

And what if I were to tell you it’s not as extravagant as it sounds, and that people are doing exactly this, more and more? What if I were to tell you it’s not only a reasonable expense, but potentially a money-saving investment, too? What if I were to show you precisely what I’m talking about so you could see for yourself?

Kind of makes you warm just thinking about it, doesn’t it?

It does me. I’m already looking up numbers for a contractor.

The Fireplace Flatscreen Debate, Part One

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:25:00 +0000

The Mantel or the Flatscreen, That is the Question

Here at the Fireplace Decorating blogspot we’re of a mixed mind when it comes to what belongs above a fireplace. On the one hand, we’re kind of traditionalists. We like the classic look of a quality mantel with a few family pictures on it or a framed painting that reflects the room’s overall aesthetic. At the same time, we are also drawn to new technologies, which is why the jury is still out around here when it comes to hanging a flatscreen TV above the hearth. In the right room, it could look fantastic. In the wrong room, it could be like watching the Super Bowl at Versailles—that is, kind of cool until you realize the brand new Samsung makes the fold leaf look tacky.

Whatever you decide, though, it is worth considering a few things besides just how the set will look. There are some safety issues to think about, particularly regarding temperature. That’s why I’m posting this short consumer advice piece from the New York Times about exactly that subject. Have a look. And if you’ve got any ideas of your own, feel free to send them along.

Fireplace Feast

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Cooking over a fireplace can be fun, but requires extra caution.

Growing up in South, I didn’t experience a lot of out and out blizzards. Instead, what we got was the occasional ice storm—the kind that freezes roads, snaps power lines and shuts down school for a week at a time. The shelves at the grocery store ran out of bread and milk before the first drop of sleet hit the ground, and then, when the power finally did go out, my father would march out to the woodpile with the ax to chop some logs while my mother dug out whatever weird canned goods she could from the back of the pantry.

Now, let me say right away: cooking in your fireplace is not always the best idea. Opening those fireplace doors and roasting a hotdog over the open flame can be dangerous business, and the Fireplace Decorating blospot does not endorse reckless fireplace behavior. But I’d also be lying to you if I said those family meals around the crackling hearth aren’t among my favorite childhood memories.

Whether we baked jacket potatoes in the ashes or heated a can of beef stew directly over the flames, we ate well, regardless of the weather. Usually, my mother could unearth a bag of stale marshmallows, too, and let me tell you—no matter how hard they might have become tucked away behind the Rice-A-Roni, once they hit the open flame they melted into such a crispy-brown confection we would have sworn she picked them up at the supermarket the minute the weatherman issued his doom-and-gloom prediction.

Of course, like I said, there’s an obvious danger in cooking over the fire, especially if you have small children or pets, or if you have an area rug up close to the fireplace’s foot. Nowadays, if you want to experience these sorts of family pleasures, you’re probably better off roasting your marshmallows and whatnot over an outdoor fireplace, positioned at a safe distance from the house. Even then, you still need to be careful, but the odds of burning down the house or catching the dog on fire are a heck of a lot lower. And if you’re smack dab in the middle of an ice storm? Don’t let that stop you. An extra sweater under your coat will keep you plenty warm while.

Cheers--and be safe.

Fireplaces of the Rich and Famous

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:15:00 +0000

The Rich and Famous Like Fireplaces Too

Sometimes you just gotta laugh.

I had a small fire crackling here at the blogspot this morning—it makes the coffee taste just a little better and does wonders for the creativity—when a friend in the business forwarded me a link to a story about celebrity homes. “Did you know Jerry Seinfeld’s house has thirteen fireplaces?” he asked, and while I wasn’t exactly surprised, I sent back a quick response. “No I did not,” I said. “It’s amazing how much money you can make off a show about nothing.”

Now, I was fortunate enough to grow up in a 1954s era bungalow with two fireplaces. My grandmother’s turn-of-the century Tudor-style house, meanwhile, had four—though two of them were sealed off during the Great Depression. And these days, while I’d love to have an extra hearth at which to thaw my ice cube toes, perhaps one in the bedroom or even a third one, in the dining room, where we like to entertain, the one single hearth we do have, right there in the den, where we spend the most time as a family, is actually way more than sufficient.

We just spent a little time and money making it the best fireplace it can possibly be. And now that it’s been dressed up with glass doors and a new mantel—ever since I got over my anxiety and just painted the daggum thing, once and for all—I can’t imagine what I’d need another one for. The truth is, even if my house was 23,000 square feet like Oprah Winfrey’s Santa Barbara mansion, or it featured an outdoor theater like George Clooney’s Italian estate, you’d still have a pretty tough time getting me off the couch where I’m sitting right now. Modest as it may be, my fireplace is my pride and joy. After all, I remodeled it myself.

Fireplace Remodeling for Hard Times

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Fireplace Inserts Increase Efficiency

It never ends, does it? The winter, the recession, the high cost of heating your home—some things drag on and on. Luckily, hard times can also inspire us. A day does not pass without another news story about homeowners remodeling their houses to be more energy efficient and more eco-friendly. This article from a small daily out of upstate New York is just one of the hundreds of articles that come across the wire here at Fireplace Decorating. Take a look, and maybe get inspired.

You might notice, by the way, that one of the homeowners interviewed for the piece attended the Great Northeastern Home Show looking for three things: energy-efficient solar panels, a good roofer and a few ideas for retrofitting her existing fireplace. That same homeowner also commented that some things on their remodeling wish list might have to wait because of the expense. Just glancing at that list, I can tell right away which item ought to be at the top. After all, few home improvement projects offer as much bang for the buck as a fireplace makeover. The addition of a fireplace blower or energy efficient glass fireplace doors practically pays for itself in energy savings.

But you knew all that already. That’s why you’re a fireplace enthusiast.

Heloise...No!

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:49:00 +0000

Fireplace cleaning requires more than elbow grease.

Who doesn’t love Heloise?

Here at the Fireplace Decorating blogspot, the first edition of the original Hints from Heloise anthology has occupied the same coveted spot on the living room bookcase since my mother-in-law’s first visit. And don’t tell the guys in my fantasy football league, but I’ve pulled it down more than once when I needed to get out a nacho cheese spill before the wife got home. But sometimes the tried and true just doesn’t do, as I was disappointed to discover this morning reading Heloise’s column in the Washington Post.

Yes, you can use cold ashes to clean your fireplace doors, and yes vinegar will eventually get out minor soot stains, but c’mon, Heloise. Nine times out of ten, the smudge don’t budge and the stubborn stains remain. I’m all for home remedies, but sometimes you have to bring in the big guns. Sometimes, nothing but a commercial fireplace cleaner will do.

Valentine's Day: Think Outside the Firebox

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:24:00 +0000

Sitting by the fire is romantic. But is it enough?

Not to scare you, guys, but Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Websites are already posting Top Ten lists filled with suggestions for showering that certain someone with your affections. The Hallmark Store is doing record business. The candy aisle is still in pretty good shape at this point, but in about a week it will look like a gang of ten-year-olds came through on a sugar high. And that restaurant where you were planning to make reservations? You probably should have called yesterday.

Of course, if you’re here at the Fireplace Decorating blogspot, you probably don’t have much to worry about. Like most fireplace enthusiasts, you already know a thing or two about romance. How else do you explain the constantly flickering flames and the shadows on the wall? When it comes to setting the mood, you know the score.

But that doesn’t mean you’ve cornered the market on suave, fellas. As romantic as you might think it is to light the kindling and pour a couple glasses of bubbly—even if you head out back to chop your own wood and make sure the missus sees you splitting those logs from the living room window—you still might not be doing quite enough. After all, didn’t you try the same stunt last year? And the year before that?

Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t build a fire again this Valentines Day. I’m not saying you should lay off the champagne or the candy or the flowers. And if you somehow managed to get in under the buzzer, don’t cancel those reservations, either. I’m just saying, this year, maybe it’s time to go the extra mile. Maybe it’s time to get creative. Maybe it’s time to think outside the firebox.

How about making yourself handy for once? How about refinishing your wife’s antique rocker? Or re-glazing the living room windows? Or fixing the—

No, better yet, better still. Why not just do something about the fireplace itself? As of this afternoon, February 5, you still have nine days to get your act together.

So pick up some fireplace cleaner, some fireplace paint—maybe go all out with a brand new set of glass fireplace doors. If you’ve got a little extra time, paint that ugly old brick this next week so it’s ready for the big night.

What’s that? You can’t find that much time on such short notice? You’re a busy man? Hey, no sweat. Imagine how happy your wife will be when she sees you hard at work, right there in the living room, on Valentine’s Day itself. Get that paint on before dinner and while you may have to wait a couple days to light the next fire, her heart will melt just as fast, if not faster, than it would have before the raging inferno. Under the right circumstances, even watching paint dry can be romantic.

Fireplace Trends and the Current Recession

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:52:00 +0000

This Chart Shows Just How Popular Fireplaces Remain, Even in a Tough Economy

You don’t have to be a news-junky to know when times are tough. And you don’t need a degree in economics to know the housing market is in serious trouble. What’s harder to wrap your head around is precisely what affect the weakened economy has on the kind of new homes being built.

Did you know, for example, that while new home construction has indeed slowed down, the relative size of those new houses that are being built has continued to increase? Did you know also that despite a series of recessions dating back to the 1970s, we continue to want more bedrooms, more bathrooms, and more parking?

Finally, did you know—and this is of particular interest here at Fireplace Decorating—that no matter the expense of including a fireplace in a newly constructed home, the demand for them has remained steady since the 1970s? That’s right, while there has been a very slight decline in the number of new homes that feature one or more fireplaces, overall demand remains strong.

All this comes to us via a new press release from PRWeb and AVID Home Studio, which analyzes construction trends in relation to the serious economic downturns of the past forty years. And while there’s a lot to digest in the report—some of it relevant to the average home owner, some not—here at the blogspot we were at least heartened to see that people still value the crackle of a good old-fashioned fire, even in a brand new home.

Of course, we’re not in the market for a new home at the moment, and if you’re reading this, you probably aren’t either—at least not anytime soon. In times like these, it’s better to fix up what you already have. Besides, the fact is we’re pretty happy with our classic brick fireplace, especially since we invested a little money in new glass fireplace doors. After all, they not only show off those flames everybody seems to want, they also provide significant savings on our heating bill.

Fireplace Pleasures: Nesting in Style

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:37:00 +0000

"Nesting" gains popularity in a weakened economy.
People look to improve what they already have.

No, we’re not talking about chimney swifts. We’re talking about one of the biggest trends in American life at the moment: the return to a more domestic lifestyle after searching fruitlessly for entertainment and comfort outside the home.

Experts say that as the economy tightens, people naturally look to the home front as an alternative to going out. Rather than dine at expensive restaurants night after night, or enslave themselves to the bar scene, Americans are taking a greater interest in cooking, and meanwhile turning their living rooms back into the social gathering places they were decades ago. Rather than blow forty bucks at the local Cineplex, people now subscribe to Netflix and invite friends over for a movie, then follow that up with a round of Scrabble or one of the popular new board games currently reshaping our idea of home entertainment.

Not surprisingly, this sort of cultural shift has also been accompanied by an increased emphasis on making the home a place you and your family would want to hang out, night after night—and someplace suitable for entertaining. Papers like the Boston Globe and Newsday have already picked up on this trend, and recommend efforts to improve what you already have, which is music to the ears here at the Fireplace Decorating blogspot. We already had our stocking feet by the crackling fire, of course, but we’re delighted for the company.

How you fix up your nest, of course, is a matter of personal choice, not to mention practical concerns like budget and what needs the most fixing. That said, there probably aren’t many areas of the home better suited to a quick home makeover than the fireplace. A quick application of fireplace paint, after all, is not only easy and affordable, it also does more than just about any other home improvement project to make your nest the cozy place you’re after. Throw on some new fireplace doors and a new set of fireplace tools, and people will start inviting themselves over. Of course, those chimney swifts might show up, too, but that’s a discussion for another day. Until then, keep the home fires burning!

Mind That Fire!

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:03:00 +0000

You know, here at the Fireplace Decorating blogsite we tend to focus on remodeling and redecorating techniques, or on ways to get more enjoyment from the well-built fire, but sometimes we also need to step back and remember a few things about fireplace safety. With much of the nation suffering an exceptionally cold winter this year, a lot of people are turning to their fireplace for added heat. This can be a great idea, and if you’re smart about it, you can even shave a little expense off your monthly heating bill.

Unfortunately, people sometimes get careless around the hearth—burning improper materials, leaving a fire unattended or neglecting proper maintenance of the chimney and flue—and the results? Well, in some cases they can be catastrophic. In fact, every year around this time the news reports start coming in about home fires that started due to carelessness or just lack of basic fireplace safety information. This article from the Buffalo News does a great job of spelling out some of the potential hazards the fireplace enthusiast should be mindful of as fireplace season kicks into high gear.

Of course, none of this is meant to scare anybody. Or, we only want to scare you enough that you practice a little common sense when you build your next fire. If you use a little common sense and invest just a tiny bit in fireplace cleaning supplies and the proper fireplace tools, there’s every reason you should enjoy the rest of the winter with your feet by the fire and your mind at ease.

Thinking About Refacing? Or Resurfacing? Think Again...

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:28:00 +0000

"Hey, Mom? Why does Dad say you can't paint brick?"

An old friend of mine, Greg, called today with a question about fireplace refacing. “I’m thinking about going Southwestern,” he said. “Maybe sort of a Santa Fe stucco look, kind of like earth tones, sort of like adobe but not adobe, you know what I’m talking about?”

I wasn’t actually sure. I thought for a minute about his living room and how it was already furnished. “Your fireplace is brick,” I said. “Isn’t it?”

“Yeah, and I’m sick of it. The last guy who lived here must have burned his furniture in it or something. I’ve got soot stains almost to the ceiling.”

I laughed, but only because I’ve seen the exact same thing a thousand times. “Let me ask you a question,” I said. “Are you wanting to do a total room makeover, or are you just trying to cover up some stains? You just got a new sofa last spring, right?”

“Yeah, the wife picked it out. It’s sort of mid-century modern, I guess.”

“And the rest of the room—You have a lot of stainless steel and chrome. You’ve got a leather armchair, don’t you?”

“Yeah, why?’

“Nothing,” I said. “But I just wonder if you really want to do stucco. And so you know, what you’re talking about is resurfacing, not refacing.”

“There’s a difference?”

“Not a huge one—you see the terms used interchangeably—but technically refacing is when you put, say, stone over an existing hearth. When you put up stucco or plaster you’re resurfacing.”

“Huh,” he said. “And you don’t think it’s a good idea, do you?”

“It’s not necessarily a bad idea,” I said. “But in your case, I’m just not sure why you want to go to so much trouble. Why not clean the brick, see how that looks, and then, if you still can’t stand it, try painting it.”

There was a long pause. Then I heard my friend whisper something to his wife, Debbie. Finally, he handed her the phone. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said. “I’ve been telling him we should paint for three weeks. And all he ever says is ‘Honey, you don’t paint brick.’ Have you heard that before?”

“More times than I can count,” I said. “And it’s total nonsense.”

“I knew it,” she said. “But I do have one more question. You think you could come by sometime this week and help us pick a color?”

Firebox Paint

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:50:00 +0000

A Fireplace with no firebox paint can look barren.

With the economy in the shape its in, we are always looking for ways to improve your fireplace, while saving money as well. A great quick fix could be to just paint the inside of your fireplace with a black firebox paint. This immediately transforms the interior of your fireplace from an old ashen look to a fresh clean black.
Any paint used to paint a firebox must meet strict safety and environmental standards. Regular fireplace paint doesn’t quite cut it when you’re talking about temperatures as high as 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Intense temperatures call for a specially designed firebox paint that won’t crack, peel or, worse, emit harmful chemicals into the living area.

Interior fireplace paint should always meet the following criteria:

• Withstand temperatures up to 1200 degrees
• Contain a silicone protectant
• Rust-resistant
• Won’t scratch

Amongst other changes, this fireplace now looks
great with its new coat of firebox paint.

Firebox paint is not expensive, and is as easy to apply as any other paint. You may have to put a little more prep time into getting the firebox cleaned, but the end results of using the right interior fireplace paint greatly outweigh the efforts.

Get 10% Off Fireplace Doors!

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:18:00 +0000

We're happy to announce that we've discovered a great discount code from the folks at Brick-ANew.com. Enter code '10OFFDOORS' when you check out to get 10% off on all fireplace doors. Click on your fireplace brand below to see all of their door models

FMI	Heatilator	Heat N Glo
Lennox	Majestic	Marco
Martin	Preway	Superior
Temco

LOGGING OUT

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:57:00 +0000

Sometimes, lately, the workday never ends. Between the humming laptop and the vibrating Blackberry, never mind the landline that’s supposed to be unlisted but for some reason isn’t, you’re almost always online — even when you’re not. Winding down has never been harder, and it's taking its toll.

The wife begs you, "Relax!" You fire back, "I will — as soon you get off the phone!" Blame it on the boss, pin it on traffic, point your finger at the monthly report. Just as much, though, whether you admit it or not, it's a case of technology overload.

As great as all your gadgets are, you've been rewired — and it's driving a widget between you and your spouse. Quality time with each other is at a premium, "me time" is almost non-existent - and you may as well forget about the kids… You haven’t seen them unplugged from their earbuds since you stuffed the things in their stockings last Christmas!

Maybe, just maybe, it’s time for a break. Perhaps it’s time to re-focus on what’s important. Possibly, finally, it’s time to relax...

At my house, especially now that the mercury’s started to drop, that means turning off the electrical devices and building a fire. The only light I want when I’m ready to ‘log out’ is the natural light produced by the flickering flames. Anything with a blinking LED or a glowing screen, whether it’s my laptop or my TV, has simply got to go.

No ifs, ands or buts — not even from the kids.

After all, studies have shown that all that artificial light is bad for our sleep patterns. Better to focus on what's really real: the fire now raging in my hearth. It grows warmer by the minute, and brighter. The only light is that reflected off the fireplace doors, shimmering through the room. My eyes lose focus, my pulse slows down, my ears tune in to the crackle and pop...

And finally, I’m there. The workday disappears. The emails will still be in the in-box come morning, the boss can leave a voice mail. As the conversation rekindles between me and the missus, are hearts thaw and I remember what it means to be a family man.

Eventually, even those earbuds come out.

For the foreseeable future, we're all someplace else - and together.

I’ll let you know when we're ready to log back in.

Video - Portland Williamette

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:05:00 +0000

John Boire with Portland Williamette showed us a fireplace mantel coordinated with all surrounding accessories--from the glass door to the picture frames to gas valve covers. We interviewed John at the 2008 Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Expo.

Be sure to check out the Portland Williamette website.

Related Links:

2008 Hearth, Patio, and BBQ Expo
Videos from the 2008 tradeshow in Atlanta--Fireplace Decorating was there!

Rustic Fireplace Mantels for Modern Homes
This article explores the popular trend of rough-hewn or primitive hardwood mantels for both modern and traditional fireplaces.

Fireplace Mantels
A wide selection of fireplace mantels including unfinished mantels you can stain, seal, or paint yourself.

Video - By the Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:34:00 +0000

Craig with By the Fire shows off his company's simulated stone hearth. This one includes an electric fireplace. We interviewed Craig at the 2008 Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Expo.

Be sure to check out the By the Fire website, and stay tuned for more videos from the Hearth, Patio & BBQ Expo in Atlanta.

Related Links:

2008 Hearth, Patio, and BBQ Expo
Videos from the 2008 tradeshow in Atlanta--Fireplace Decorating was there!

Fake Fireplaces Are a Real Option
Less expensive and easier to install than wood-burning fireplaces, a fake fireplace provides most of the benefits of a "real" fireplace and eliminates a good bit of the hassle and mess.

Electric Fireplaces
A wide selection of electric fireplaces.

Video - Thermo-rite Fireplace Doors

noreply@blogger.com (Jon) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:52:00 +0000

At the 2008 Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Expo we met with a representative from Thermo-rite manufacturing, the originators of tempered glass fireplace doors.

Visit the Thermo-rite website, and stay tuned for more videos from the Hearth, Patio & BBQ Expo in Atlanta.

Related Links:

2008 Hearth, Patio, and BBQ Expo
Videos from the 2008 tradeshow in Atlanta--Fireplace Decorating was there!

Choosing the Right Fireplace Glass Door
This article explains many available options for fireplace glass doors to help you choose the right one for your fireplace.

Fireplace Mantels
A wide selection of fireplace mantels including unfinished mantels you can stain, seal, or paint yourself.