May 2, 2007

Focus on Your Fireplace Mantel for Maximum Memories

Tip! After the First World War, wooden mantels started gaining popularity throughout the world. The main reason why it ascended in terms of popularity is that wooden mantels are relatively easy to instal

Think about where you spend most of your family time. Other than the kitchen I’d bet it’s in your living room. Do you have a fireplace in there? Do you ignore it or build your room around it?

A fireplace is the quickest way to give your room a total make over and is more than just another home accessory. The fireplace is quickly becoming a must have for homeowners and the mantel around it will determine whether that fireplace is noticed or ignored.

Tip! What’s a fireplace without a fireplace mantel? It would be a lonely hole in the wall were light comes from.

Looking back through our family photographs there are dozens of pictures taken with the fireplace mantel in the background. My family hub was around that fireplace, whether it was winter or summer. During the holidays it was festively decorated with garland and stockings to be replaced with seasonal knick-knacks during other times of the year. It was a big beautiful wood mantel that commanded attention without overwhelming the room.

For most families a fireplace is much more than just a hole in the wall and a chimney. The fireplace is a beautifully visible part of the home. For many years, the fireplace mantel has been treated as trim or molding, but mantels today are keeping pace with furniture design. Many woodcraft shops will make custom made mantels for a fireplace if you are unable to find a prefinished mantel at your local home improvement store.

Tip! A good thing about wooden mantels is that one can choose the kind of varnish or paint color that will be used. A downside in using wood as a mantel is that wood is combustible.

In addition to the mantel there are numerous decorative accessories available for your fireplace, but which one you select will depend on the style of fireplace and mantel you have. You don’t want a screen that clashes with the mantel and hearth appearance. You don’t want the poker, shovel and wood storage bins to be out of sync with the overall appearance.

Think of the mantel as the mother of your hearth. It wraps your fireplace in its care and love, showing off all its glory and complementing the function of the room. Don’t ignore it or leave it unseen. Bring it into your photos and give your family many happy memories around it.

Get more information on fireplace mantels at our resource site including shopping guides on a variety of fireplace types. This is a sister site to electric fireplaces info and Bob’s fireplace screens.

Tip! Fireplace mantels have long been around, dating back to the Renaissance Period in Italy. The earliest designs were inspired by the architectural supremacy of the Greeks and the Romans. These designs were heavily embroidered with lavish designs and accessories.

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