Fireplaces Mantels

Prior to the invention of mechanized contained heating systems that we have today, rooms were heated by an open or central fire. Until the twelfth century, fires were simply made in the middle of a home and smoke was vented out through the roof. In days gone by, fireplaces were practical— providing heat and cooking sources in a home. They needed to be large enough to accommodate cooking pots and utensils and heat as much area as possible, and were not considered focal points of beauty. Most fireplaces in common homes did not even have a heart rug for fear of flying embers causing a fire. A fireplace screen certainly would have come in handy against sparks, but again, that would have largely gotten in the way of practical chores such as cooking and the need to frequently add wood for warmth. So you can see why, for centuries, it was not common to have a fireplace mantel.

As time went on, the placement of fireplaces moved to the wall, incorporating chimneys to vent the smoke. This permitted the design of very elaborate chimneypieces used in castles and homes of the wealthy. These pieces could be elaborately carved from wood and enriched with ornamentation. Many European sculptors designed and carved magnificent mantels, some of which are on display in the world's great museums. In the eighteenth century, it became common for a framed family portrait to hang over the fireplace.

Today, more fireplaces are lit with a flick of a switch, rather than a match. A modern fireplace primarily serves to enhance the grandeur of an interior space rather than as a heat source. And because our homes are so varied in style, furnishings, size, and decor, fireplace mantels today 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.