Fireplaces Mantels

 
 
fireplace tools
Fireplace Tools
Even if you don't get to use your wood burning fireplace as much as you'd like, it still needs sprucing up every so often. And who better to give tips on fireplace cleaning than the Queen of Clean herself— Heloise. These tips will make the process go faster and easier:

• Move everything in and around the base of your fireplace out of the way and put down old sheets or plastic shower curtain to protect your flooring.
• Remove fireplace grate to clean it separately by wiping with a damp towel and letting it air dry.
• Use a shop vac (NOT a regular vacuum because the find ashes can clog the filter), to suck up as much debris and ash as possible on the inside walls, the bottom, etc.
• Use several damp paper towels to remove the layer of very fine soot that remains after vacuuming.
• With a handled scrub brush and a bucket of warm water with a squirt or two of detergent added, scrub the inside floor, followed by the sides— doing one small spot at a time and rinsing before moving on.
• Rinse it all with water on a sponge or terry cloth and wipe dry with an old towel.
• Dust off your fireplace mantel and you're ready to enjoy your fireplace throughout the holidays season and winter
• For safety's sake, have your chimney inspected by a pro each year.
 
 
fireplaces mantels
Hang Stockings from Fireplace Mantel.
It's that time of year again... time to decorate our homes for the holidays. Do you have a fireplace mantel from which to hang your stockings? If not, consider adding this focal point to your room and give Santa a place to find your Christmas stockings! Because our homes are so varied in style, furnishings, size, and decor, fireplace mantels can be as fancy or as plain as the homeowner wishes. Fireplaces mantels can be the focus of custom interior decoration, or thought of simply as a place to display framed family photographs. A fireplace mantel offers a unique opportunity to create a personal statement unique to the room and enhance the architectural style. Or it can be plain and practical and not viewed as a work of art at all.
The choice of material for fireplace mantels today is nearly limitless and include marble, limestone, granite, fine woods, and even faux materials. Elements such as capitals, moldings, brackets, figures, animals, and vegetation are commonly used to decorate a mantel where the focus is on the design and workmanship. On the other hand, a wood fireplace mantel might be quite simple and plain, allowing the beauty of the wood grain to serve as its only decoration. Classic, Renaissance, Italian, French, American, Victorian, Gothic— whatever style fireplace mantel you are looking for, you will find it here! Materials and designs are limitless. Make your fireplace the focal point of any room. Browse here for ideas on fireplace mantels to beautify and enhance any decor.
 
 
Once you have decided to add a fireplace mantel to your home, you will need to select a material. There are a lot of style choices, so keep in mind that the material needs to be safe, durable, and attractive. Wooden Fireplace Mantels offer a more classic look and are a very popular choice because of their easy installation, which can be done without the help of a professional. Depending on the type of wood you choose, wooden fireplace mantels also can be very affordable additions. However, certain ones made of a higher quality wood, like oak, typically cost significantly more. Regardless of the type of wood, they are remarkably versatile and complement a variety of different decors. Stone Fireplace Mantels are generally more expensive, but have several advantages such as durability and low maintenance. Considering that stone is a non-combustible material, they also tend to be a safer option. Besides safety and durability, the addition of stone can create a dramatic and appealing effect and really become the focal point of the room. Medium Density Fiberboard is another common material used to build fireplace mantels. Not only is this material affordable, but it also can create the same look a wooden fireplace mantel would create without the safety issues. Most people that choose this option like the strength and durability that a MDF fireplace mantel provides. It features a smooth finish that can easily be painted or stained to enhance your current decor. Shop for fireplaces mantels here.