10 Nov Focusing on fireplaces
It’s coming. You can see it in the trees, and feel it in the air. Winter is right around the next corner, and if there’s one good thing about cold temps, it’s wearing one of your favorite coats and lighting a fire.
Can’t you just hear the crackling and smell that wood burning? When we built our new house and moved in earlier this year, we were so excited to have a covered porch with this fireplace that we can see from the front entrance and also from the kitchen.
We’ve probably spent more time out here than anyplace else in the house so far.
Our family room fireplace is completely different in style. It’s limestone and the mantle is an old beam from a barn in Leiper’s Fork, just outside of Nashville.
And just to keep my husband busy hauling wood to the house, we added a third fireplace in the breakfast room. It has a raised hearth so Keith can cook in it if he wants without having to bend over all the time. To my chagrin, he wanted a television above it to watch from the kitchen. But what can you say when he’s the cook?!?
But there are so many other choices out there when it comes to fireplace mantels and surrounds if you know where to look. One of the best places with a large selection where many builders, designers and artists go to find unusual pieces is Preservation Station on 8th Avenue in Nashville.
It’s a treasure trove of architectural antiques; almost everywhere you look is a fireplace mantel. When I dropped in, store manager Natalie Villarreal showed me around and told me a little bit about the ones I’m showing you.
Someone had already put this one on hold and I can see why. Love it. It came from St. Louis. Age of the cast iron beauty with the face carved on the mantle is about 1890. It’s considered figural style.
Depending on the style of your home, many of these mantles could really add interest and character to a room.
Here’s one that’s more simplistic, made of tiger oak that was cut on the bias. It’s from a Nashville house.
Then there’s a large painted Federal style mantle. Natalie said this one would have been desirable in a grand home because of the scale of the piece. It also came from a home here in Tennessee.
If you’re into the Victorian look, you’d probably love this mahogany beauty. She even has her original double side mirrors and is considered East Lake style with flowers carved in it.
Then came Natalie’s favorite.
She said it came from Philadelphia and would have fit in a Tudor style home. Gargoyles and fleur de lis add the details in this oak mantle.
There were also some great looking terracotta chimney caps for the right buyer. They date back to the late 1800’s and came from Philadelphia.
And if you need a barn vent, here’s a beauty.
How cool is that?
Just goes to show you can add great style and character to a new home or one you’re renovating if you know where to go. But it’s time for me to go and put another log on the fire.
Til next time, stay warm and cozy in your retreat.
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