The charm of resting around a hot fire in the fireplace on a chilly evening in winter is enchanting. The hypnotic blaze helps take the nip out of the room while begetting atmosphere. For many decades, fireplaces have provided warmth and,for years before that, a place to prepare meals as well. They have never lost their celebrity and, in fact, have made substantial advances in popularity. In my short life, fireplaces have been jogging southward where winter seasons are short and summers are long Though home heating technologies have (evolved over the years, fireplaces are still in vogue|Although the latest enhancements have been made in climate control for our living spaces, fireplaces continue to be in style.

I imagine you"ll agree that with the improvements in central heating and air, the purpose of the fireplace has markedly changed. They are definitely not about simply heating your home. Nor is it about cooking. There has been no shortage of cook tops or ovens for years So why do we have this ever growing affection for fireplaces? My spectulation is that fireplaces provide that special mood when they're aglow. And when they are not, they continue to add interest, focus and character to a room as well as charm. It would seem that fireplaces, and the mantels that surround them, have been, for some time, one of the distinctive architectural details that add to the flavor of our homes like embellished stairs, arched entry ways, or ornamental range hoods. In these examples, there is a wonderful marriage of function and art.

"Wonderful marriage" has to be qualified because not all marriages of art and function are wonderful marriages. I lately had the occasion to stroll through a home that was about eighty percent done and saw some pretty terrible marriages. There was an island cabinet that had incredibly large and ornate corbels supporting the counter . The fireplace also had oversized stone pillars supporting the mantel board. The best 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.

For many years millworks companies have specialized in fireplace mantels. Necessity is the mother of invention. Because most cabinet makers craft with wood, most mantels are fashioned from wood. Heavy wood shelves, under laid with crown moulding supported by carved brackets and fluted pilasters are a common style for many mantel builders. Not so common are the hand fashioned variety still offered by artisan carvers in foreign lands. The quality of these carved masterpieces is unmatched by the latest twenty firstcentury technological marvels. The slight variations and minor imperfections are a distinction that says "hand carved" and ehances the charm and unique character. Mass production methodology will, never match the methods of the masters. Carvers can undercut and form sharp interior cuts that are not possible with modern tooling.

It is obvious that fireplaces and the mantels them are here for good. This is a marriage that has 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.