home is where the hearth is
As summer slips away and temperatures drop, it’s time to channel all things fall this month in the June Journal! Last week we covered how to bring the outdoors indoor by using natural design elements. Today, we’re daydreaming about one of a home’s coziest elements: the fireplace!
There’s just something special about a space where such a powerful element cheerily resides! Whether a fireplace is being used practically for warmth or simply to provide a comforting scene, it’s a classic element to any home. When deciding how to house your new fireplace (or update an existing one!), there are a few decisions you need to make!
Perhaps the most important question is whether you’re interested in a classic wood-burning unit, or prefer a modern electric insert. How important are the warmth and essential crackling sounds of a fire to you? Does anyone in the household have any smoke sensitivities? What’s your level of comfort with sourcing firewood, maintaining the chimney, and looking after the fire while it burns? For some, the convenience of a push button far outweighs the manual labor needed for a storybook fire, while for others, the process is part of the buildup to a perfectly cozy night spent fireside!
spark your imagination
We’ve curated a wide variety of examples that eye-grabbing fireplaces of all shapes and sizes – as well as functionalities! Extra storage, anyone?
As you scroll through these beauties, take notes on which of their elements grab your attention first: do you want a colorful space or a cozy reading spot? Are you drawn to natural materials like stone or wood, or is a colorful facade more your style? At the very least, fireplace window shopping will surely get you in the fall spirit!
wonder wall
We love this fireplace, designed to complement and visually. frame this delightfully whimsical painting! The dreamy blue paint and green tile combo seem to extend from beyond the painting itself, which transports the viewer into another world.
Design by: @cindygreenenyc
Photo by: @2lgstudio
rustic charm
This New York-based fireplace offers a smattering of visual textures, with its tile, stone, concrete, and brick facades! Bonus points are awarded for the smart kindling storage space, giving this design a sleek, structured look that perfectly contrasts with its more rustic elements.
Design by: @ursinointeriors
Photo by: @timlenzphoto
taken by tile
Here, a linear gas fireplace is anything but basic with its tiled frame and minimalist hearth! We love how the patterned tile carries your eyes upward to the beamed ceiling, giving the space a spacious and airy feel.
Design by: @emilyjunedesigns
Photo by: @ccasbo for @juliesoefer
moody and modern
This delicious design immediately envelops you with its warm, moody hues and striking stone and wood-framed fireplace! I imagine this space is no stranger to aged scotch and good discussion.
Design by: @resinn
Photo by: @resinn
secret storage
How marvelous is this idea? Designer Lonika Chande cleverly utilized a tension rod and a cheerful curtain to transform this fireplace into storage! Located in a children’s room, where a fire isn’t exactly practical, this creative use of space allows toys to stay neat and tidy!
Design by: @lonikachande
Photo by: @milobrown_photography
main character energy
Talk about a showstopper! This wildly unique fireplace, selected by French interior designer Jacques Grange for a Parisian apartment, can’t help but fascinate viewers with its all-knowing eyes and frighteningly curved mouth. The design’s origins can be traced all the way back to late 16th century Italy!
Design by: Jacques Grange
Photo by: Francois Halard