The charm of resting around a hot fire in the fireplace on a chilly evening in winter is delightful. The hypnotic blaze helps take the nip out of the room while creating ambience. For centruries, fireplaces have furnished warmth and a place to prepare meals as well. Fireplaces have never lost their attraction and, in fact, have made significant gains. During my five decades, their popularity has steadily traveled south though winters are stunted and summers are gargantuan. improved over the years, fireplaces are still in vogue|Although the latest enhancements have been made in HVAC systems for our living spaces, fireplaces continue to be in fashion.

I think you"ll agree that with the improvements in central heating and air, the reason for the fireplace has markedly changed. Fireplaces are no longer simply for providing warmth. Nor is it about cooking. There has been no shortage of cook tops or ovens for years So why this ever increasing love for fireplaces? My spectulation is that fireplaces offer ambience when they're ablaze. And when they are not, they promote interest, focus and character to a room. Should I add "charm" as well? Fireplaces and the mantels that surround them, have been, for some time, one of the definitive architectural elements that enhance the flavor of our homes much like embellished stairs, arched doorways, or decorative range hoods. These are good examples of a marriage between utility and art.

"Wonderful marriage" is a conditional statement because not all marriages of art and function are made in heaven. I lately had the occasion to observe a home that was about 80 percent completed and witnessed some really terrible marriages. There was a kitchen island that had incredibly large and ornate corbels supporting the counter top. The fireplace also had oversized stone columns undergirding the mantel board. The most gracious thing that could be said is: "More is not necessarily better". Thankfully, there are many decent cases of form and function-just not in that home.

For many years millworks suppliers have become adept at building fireplace mantels. Demand is usually one step ahead of supply Because most cabinet makers craft with wood, most mantels are fashioned from wood. Heavy wood planks, under laid with crown molding supported by carved brackets and fluted legs are a familiar style for many mantel builders. Not so common are the hand carved kind still made available by master carvers in foreign lands. The quality of these carved showpieces is unequaled by the latest 21st century technological genius. The slight nuance and minor imperfections are a signature that says "hand carved" and ehances the charm and unique quality. Mass production techniques will in my humble opinion, never match the techniques of the masters. Carvers can undercut and form sharp interior cuts that are presently not possible with high tech tooling.

It is obvious that fireplaces and the mantels that frame them are here for good. This is a marriage made in heaven. 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.