Fireplaces through the Seasons - Guest Post

If there is only one fireplace in your house, it’s usually in the lounge, the sitting room, the family room; whatever you like to call the hub of your home. If you don’t have a fireplace at home yet, you probably feel like you would like one. The fireplace is a very practical centerpiece to any room in the house, and it is also the type of centerpiece that will evolve over the seasons.

The Fireplace in Winter

Winter is the time when a fireplace really comes into its own. It’s the season fireplaces were made for. There’s nothing better than curling up on the armchair in front of a warm roaring fire with loved ones, or watching the family pet doze on the rug by the hearth. A real log fire burning in the home is a treat for all the senses. Staring into the dancing flames is relaxing; smelling the roasting logs is soothing and feeling the glowing warmth keeps the winter blues away. And of course every fireplace places a vital role in the family home at Christmas – not only is it a place to leave cookies and milk for Santa and hang the stockings, but it’s also perfect for decorating with a holly garland or wreath.

The Fireplace in Spring

As spring time starts to get a little warmer, it’s likely that there won’t be the need to have the fire lit so often. But that’s okay because when it isn’t lit the logs still look decorative and the mantelpiece can be put to good use for displaying Easter and Mother’s day cards, and fresh flowers cut from the garden. Some families even like to have a small Easter tree and the mantelpiece is the perfect setting. When there aren’t flowers or celebrations, pictures and ornaments look stylish on the mantelpiece.  

The Fireplace in Summer

You almost certainly won’t need to light the fire if you have warm summers in your area.  At this time of year, the fireplace becomes an absolute centrepiece for any room. If you are one of the many house swapping USA residents that like to take part in home exchanges for your vacation, you may want to screen off the fire to prevent your house guests using it for safety reasons. There are a lot of different types of fire screens available and some antique ones are very beautiful. If you are creative you could make your own fire screen using wood decorated with decoupage. Another way to show that the fireplace is out of use for the summer is to use it for floral decorations. Instead of the smell of roasting wood, you will fill your home with the smell of fresh cut bouquets instead and brighten up your living room.

The Fireplace in Fall

As the temperature begins to drop again, you’ll probably be looking longingly at your fireplace in anticipation of the weather becoming cold enough for you to light the fire.  Fall is a time to dust off the hearth, cut some fresh fire wood and get ready for some cosy nights in. If you’re feeling extravagant the first time you light the fire putting some natural spices such as vanilla or cinnamon in to burn with the logs will throw beautiful scents around your home.

Guest Post by Katie

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Is Your Fireplace Ready for a Summer Makeover?

By Guest Writer, Pam (Home Décor Diva)

I recently had an embarrassing experience that almost forced me to toss the crown of Family Decorating Diva. But there’s still time to fix it and regain my title, especially now that summer’s here and the kids are off at day camp for a few blessed weeks. Let me tell you, in my household, these summer months are about the only time things slow down for even a minute. This makes it the perfect time for some serious deep-cleaning—and, on a more fun note, a great opportunity for those needed upgrades to our home’s décor. Call it Operation Summer Spruce-Up. I always look forward to breaking out the seasonal-themed dishes decorated with watermelons and investing in a new welcome mat to replace the ratty one that’s seen winter’s wear and tear—and this year? It’s time for a fresh coat of fireplace paint.

There’s a story behind this...

I don’t know about you, but in my house, the winter months mean one thing: a packed schedule of family get-togethers. Much as I enjoy these warm times together, enough is enough if you know what I mean. At our New Year’s Brunch, my mother-in-law walked through my living room and made this comment, “Pam? This room is sort of, well, blah, don’t you think?”

As much as I hate to admit it: Folks, she was right. (I’d never tell Her this, but thank goodness Someone isn’t internet-savvy!) I looked over at the fireplace. Without the holiday candles and trimmings that we’d just taken down, it looked bare and boring—and worse, the coarse brown brick just looked dated and flat-out crummy.

Never fear! The summer months are the perfect time to fix that. With no mothers-in-law looking, it’s the ideal time to refurbish the old fireplace with a fresh coat of paint and some unique decorative touches. I’m thinking a raffia swag of seashells over the mantel, accented with some beachy accessories and photos from our Florida trip a few years back. (Wishful thinking!)

As for that awful brick, sure, I could go crazy and insist we demolish the whole fireplace and install a new one, but I don’t want to see the Mister throw his back out with a sledge hammer, and the kids would be running around in a cloud of dust for weeks. Frankly, I’m not interested. After doing some thoughtful research, I’ve found an easier, more budget-friendly alternative: a coat of tasteful fireplace paint from Brick-Anew. I’m thinking Twilight Taupe right now, and from where I stand, it looks like this might just be the one of the easier steps in Operation Summer Spruce-up. I’ll letcha know.