The charm of resting around a hot fire in the fireplace on a chilly evening in winter is enchanting. The roaring fire helps take the bite out of the room while begetting a special ambience. For centruries, fireplaces have served to provide heat and,for years before that, a place to cook as well. Fireplaces have never lost their attraction and, in fact, have made substantial gains. During my five decades, their popularity has steadily traveled south though winters are stunted and summers are gargantuan. Though home heating technologies have (evolved over the years, fireplaces are still in vogue|Although the latest enhancements have been made in HVAC systems for our homes, fireplaces continue to be in fashion.

I believe you"ll concur that with the advances in central heating and air, the reason for the fireplace has markedly changed. Fireplaces are no longer simply for furnishing heat. They are no longer used for preparing meals Stoves have been around for many decades. So why this ever increasing fondness for fireplaces? My guess is that fireplaces offer that special mood when they're aglow. And when they are not, they maintain interest, focus and character to a room as well as charm. Fireplaces and the mantels that frame them, have been, for some time, one of the distinct architectural forms that add to the flavor of our homes much like embellished stairs, arched doorways, or ornamental range hoods. In these examples, there is a wonderful marriage, in many cases, of function and art.

"Wonderful marriage" has to be qualified because not all marriages of art and function are good marriages. I lately had the occasion to observe a home that was about eighty percent completed and witnessed some really ugly unions. There was a kitchen island that had incredibly large and ornate corbels supporting the counter . The fireplace also had gargantuan stone columns undergirding the mantel board. The most gracious thing that could be said is: "More is not necessarily better". Thankfully, there are lots of decent examples of form and function-just not in that home.

Over the years millworks companies have become adept at building fireplace mantels. Necessity is the mother of invention. Because most cabinet makers craft with wood, most mantels are crafted from wood. Heavy wood planks, under laid with crown mold supported by carved corbels and fluted pilasters are a familiar style for many millworks suppliers. Not so common are the hand carved kind still offered by artisan carvers in foreign lands. The beauty of these carved showpieces is unequaled by the latest 21st century technological genius. The slight variations and minor defects are a peculiarity that says "hand carved" and ehances the charm and unique quality. Mass production methodology 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 modern methods.

Certainly fireplaces and the mantels that frame them are here to stay. Like a marriage made in heaven, mantels and fireplaces have passed the test of time 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.