Sitting around the fireside on a cold winter's night is simply magical. The roaring blaze helps take the bite out of the room while creating a special atmosphere. For many years, fireplaces have supplied warmth and a place to prepare meals as well. They have never lost their celebrity and, in fact, have made substantial gains. In my lifetime, fireplaces have been jogging southward where winter seasons are short and summers are long improved over the years, fireplaces are still in vogue|Although the latest advances have been made in HVAC systems for our homes, fireplaces persist in being stylish.

I believe you"ll concede that with the developments in climate control, the purpose of the fireplace has markedly changed. They are definitely not about simply heating your home. They are no longer used for preparing meals Stoves have been around for many decades. So why do we have this ever growing liking for fireplaces? My guess is that fireplaces impart that special ambience when they're ablaze. And when they are not, they continue to add interest, focus and character to a room as well as charm. Fireplaces and the mantels that surround them, have been one of the distinctive architectural details that enhance the flavor of our homes much like embellished stairways, arched entry ways, or ornamental range hoods. These are good examples of a marriage between function 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 observe a home that was about eighty percent completed and saw some really terrible marriages. There was a kitchen island that had incredibly oversize and ornate corbels supporting the counter . The fireplace also had gargantuan stone pillars undergirding the mantel shelf. The best thing that could be said is: "More is not necessarily better". Thankfully, there are many fine examples of form and function-just not in that home.

For many years millworks companies have become adept at building fireplace mantels. Demand is usually one step ahead of supply And since the "media" of cabinetmakers is wood, most mantels are fashioned from wood-which is fine by me since wood is my "media". Thick wooden slabs, undergirded with crown moulding supported by ornate brackets and fluted pilasters are a widespread style for many cabinet makers. Not so common are the hand carved assortment still offered by master carvers in other countries. The beauty of these carved gems is unequaled by the latest 21st century technological genius. The slight nuance and minor imperfections are a signature that says "hand carved" and adds a special charm and unique character. Mass production techniques will in my humble opinion, never match the techniques of the masters. These artisans can undercut and form sharp interior cuts that are 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.