Rustic Mantels Popular For Spring

Rustic Mantels have been gaining more and more popularity lately.  There's even a style I've come across recently called "farmhouse modern" where it's chic to mix elements of modern and rustic decor.  If you're thinking of adding a little rustic to your home, consider a new mantel.

Rustic generally means something that looks old, organic, or unfinished.  Basically it's the opposite of new and sleek.  Sometimes rustic items really are old such as mantels made from reclaimed barn wood.  But mantels can be new and made to look distressed and worn.  Pine and other types of solid wood make good rustic mantels.  Some companies offer a choice of stains and finishes so you can match the mantel to your home.  Be sure to measure your existing mantel, if you have one, so you can determine what size rustic mantel to purchase.  Use painter's tape to mark the space your new mantel will cover.  Plan to leave about a foot between the top of the firebox where you build the fire, and the bottom of the mantel.  A good rule of thumb for figuring out what length the mantel should be, double the firebox width.   Your city might have building codes so it would probably a good idea to check on those before installing your new mantel.

Pictured here is the Ridgewood Rustic Mantel available at www.brick-anew.com.  Check it out and let me know what you think!

A Cozy Place To Relax By The Fire

I love this picture from La Dolce Vida.  This fireplace looks amazing with a sleek marble surround and a rustic mantel!  The dark paint color around the fireplace allows the light colored marble to pop and draws the eye to the firebox.  The rustic mantel (perhaps reclaimed wood) adds interest and warmth to the design.  Did you notice the stacked wood in the storage space on the left side of the picture?  The minimal accessories on the mantel and the coffee table add to the room’s simple elegance.  A few soft, plush pillows and a furry throw give the space a cozy feel.  Sleek, plush, and cozy...a great place to relax by the fire!

Inspired by a Fun Renovation in LA

The Fireplace Before/ After

I was on the treadmill at the YMCA this morning flipping the channels on the TV when I stumbled upon the HGTV episode my Los Angeles friends,  Carmen and Johnny,  filmed on "House Hunters Renovation" several months ago.  The episode is called "A Wrecked Rec Room gets a Hip Makeover".  If you have never seen the show, it follows them as they look at three houses and choose one to buy and renovate.  They end up choosing a 1950's ranch with a detached garage.  The main project involved converting the garage into a rec room.  They added some rustic beams, some bright sky blue paint, and  a pool/ping pong table.  My favorite was the red theater seating and the funky artwork Johnny designed.  I was there at the time helping paint the fireplace and installing a rustic mantel and fireplace glass doors. The dark brick on the fireplace looked so much better after using a brick paint kit to lighten the brick.  The paint changed the brick color to a taupe/tan/cream combination while keeping the real brick look.  The rustic mantel matched the new hardwood floors they had installed and the finishing touch was cabinet style fireplace glass doors with a steel frame in oil-rubbed bronze.  The fireplace went from  tired and outdated to fresh and modern.  It was great to watch the episode and see the fun they're having with their new rec room and enjoyment they're getting from their new house.  That's what it's all about...right?  Making your home a great place to relax, spend time with family, and entertain friends.  After watching the show and  seeing their before/after projects I was inspired to go home and do one myself. Now I'm sitting here thinking hmmmmm... which one do I start??

Carmen and John

UPDATE: New Information for 2019

For all things Heatilator Fireplace Doors

Anatomy of a Romantic Room

Source: Elle Decor

"It's time to fall in love again. . . with your home. This year, get in the mood (and stay in it!) with 11 ideas for adding romance to any room. From unexpected color combinations to must-have materials, from the bedroom to the kitchen, these ambiance-enhancing tips will tempt you to stay indoors and turn up the heat."

"Who doesn't love a pampering adventure? Re-create the vibe of a romantic glamping getaway by combining raw, natural pieces with luxe materials and modern shapes." 

Click here to see more lovely photo's of room's with romantic theme's: Yahoo Homes

Also check out : Brick Painting, Fireplace Glass Doors, Rustic Mantels

How Much Does a Fireplace Mantel Cost?

Are you planning to get a new fireplace mantel for your home? Well, it’s about time you should. Getting a new fireplace mantel will be a good investment especially if you look forward to spending winter and the cold months within the comforts of your home.

Fire mantels may cost as low as $200 to as high as $5,000. The cost depends on various factors though. For example, you have to consider the size, style, color, design, availability and quality of materials used, and location or transportation costs for shipment or delivery.

You also have to consider the functionality of the fireplace mantel. Will this be used as a corner fireplace mantel? Or will it be a cabinet? Will it be suitable for an electric or gas or wood fireplace?

Materials used for fireplace mantels are wood, stone, and marble, among others. Nevertheless, all of these materials come in a variety of sizes and colors. They can either be standard or custom-made depending on your needs. Usually, wood and stone fireplace mantels are cheaper compared to those made of marble. This is because marble fireplace mantels are more durable and they are designed more intricately compared to these two materials. Marble, unlike wood, is also fire-resistant which makes it more expensive.

Usually wood fireplace mantels are created from oak, mape, and poplar. They are also made from timber like Douglas fir, hemlock, and pine. The cost ranges as low as $200 to as high as much as $1,000. On average, timber fireplace mantels cost around $500. The more intricate the design, the more expensive it costs.

Aside from wood, fireplace mantels also come from stone. Stone is also fire resistant making it useful for gas and wood fireplaces. They are also available in different colors, textures, and finishes. Such finishes include polished, honed, and natural ones. Natural finishes are the cheapest in this range of fireplace mantels. Prices are as low as $1,299 to as much as $3,800.

Finally, good quality fireplace mantels are made of marble. As mentioned earlier, marble mantels are the most Expensive range because of their durability. Plus, they can also fit in various fireplace sizes. The designs are also More difficult to create because they are carefully carved. Like stone fireplace mantels, marble fireplace mantels also come in different hues- classic black and white, beige, green, red, pink, and other shades as requested by the customer. Marble fireplace mantels range between $3,200 to $4,000.

Now that you have an idea of how much a fireplace mantel costs, why not start saving for it now? It will definitely be worth your money.

This is a guest post written by the writer of HowMuchIsIt.org, a website that states the price of just about anything.

Best Rooms For a Fireplace

There is a special feeling you get when entering a room with a fireplace. Many rooms can have one, but what are the best rooms for a fireplace? While fireplaces are most frequently found in the living room, more and more homes have them located in the kitchen or in the bedroom. If you're unsure where to place your fireplace, then try to look at some of the pros and cons of having the fireplace in each place.

The Living Room – Having a fireplace here is great because you can start the fire before friends or family arrive and have the room take on a glow it doesn't normally feature. There's nothing better than watching a movie on the screen over the mantle with a warm fireplace and a bag of popcorn while surrounded by your favorite people. The living room is also a central location in most houses, and the heat can more easily reach other parts of the home.

The Kitchen – While some older kitchens have wood stoves for cooking, others have full-sized fireplaces. Fireplaces in kitchens can definitely add a new dimension to the overall design plans of a kitchen, but one should consider that fireplaces take up a lot of space that could otherwise be used for more counter and cabinet space. With today’s modern conveniences, most homeowners would rather have more space in the kitchen to be used for other purposes.

The Bedroom – Anywhere a fireplace is installed in a home people can benefit from the warms that it produces, but in the bedroom a fireplace can have much more of an impact on the room’s atmosphere than anywhere else. It will certainly add a bit of romance for the alone time with your partner. Having a mantle over the fireplace can be a great place to store personal items for easy access.

Overall, everyone agrees that fireplaces are really cool!  They certainly add a cozy element to your home. Just make absolutely sure that you check your local building codes before you start thinking about adding a fireplace into your home décor plans. You can also consult with a local expert to find out whether a wood or electric fireplace is best for your home.  After that, you can decide which room above you liked the best!

Allison Cooper is a writer and editor for Beyond Stores, a trusted online seller of heavily discounted name brand furniture and home decor accessories like this Jofran Double Drop Leaf Pub Table.  When not working, Allison enjoys knitting, DIY projects, and the company of her two sons Marcus and Noah.

May I also suggest you look at these fine ideas for your fireplace:

Masonry Paint - Brick Color Themes that keeps your brick looking like brick

Wrought Iron Fireplace Doors - A majestic accent to any fireplace

Rustic Mantel - High light your gorgeous fireplace 

Rustic Mantels - They’re Not Just for Country Decor

Rustic Mantels - They’re Not Just for Country Decor

During a visit to Chagrin Falls, a charming town in Ohio last weekend, I saw a wonderful old fireplace in a gift shop called the Bleu Cottage. The building was a stage coach stop in the 1800’s and even has the original bar. The mantel on the fireplace was made from an old barn rafter from the 1850’s. The wood was a beautiful black walnut which had a worn, rustic look. The contrast of the darker wood against the lighter painted rock of the fireplace caused the mantel to stand out as a focal point.
There are various choices in wood and style if you’re looking for a rustic mantel. Common woods are mahogany, basswood, pine, oak, walnut, and butternut. Rustic mantels can be made with a carved or natural face. Pine beams can be “hewned” which creates smooth little digs in the wood. You might want to stain a mantel to complement your hardwood floor or cabinets. A touch of rustic wood can add a natural, earthy feel to almost any décor, even if your style is traditional or formal. Whether you find a rustic mantel online or make one yourself from reclaimed wood, it is sure to add interest and beauty to your fireplace.