Relaxing around the fireplace on a cold wintry evening is simply magical. The hypnotic blaze helps take the nip out of the room while creating a special atmosphere. For many decades, fireplaces have supplied heat and a place to prepare meals as well. Fireplaces have never lost their attraction and, in fact, have made significant advances in popularity. 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 advances have been made in HVAC systems for our homes, fireplaces persist in being stylish.

I suspect you"ll agree that with the developments in climate control, the reason for the fireplace has markedly changed. They are definitely not about simply heating your home. They are no longer used for preparing meals There has been no shortage of cook tops or ovens for years So why do we have this ever growing liking for fireplaces? My spectulation is that fireplaces provide that special mood when they're aglow. And when they are not, they promote 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 discrete architectural elements that adorn our homes like embellished stairs, arched entry ways, or decorative range hoods. These are good examples of a marriage between utility and form.

"Wonderful marriage" has to be qualified because not all marriages of art and function are wonderful marriages. I recently had the occasion to walk through a home that was about eighty percent completed and witnessed some mighty ugly unions. There was an island cabinet that had incredibly large and ornate corbels supporting the counter top. The fireplace also had oversized stone columns undergirding the mantel counter. The best thing that could be said is: "Bigger is not necessarily better". Thankfully, there are many beautiful examples of form and function-just not in that home.

Over the years millworks suppliers have become adept at building fireplace mantels. Necessity is the mother of invention. And since the "media" of cabinetmakers is wood, most mantels are fashioned from wood-which is OK with me since wood is my "media". Thick wooden slabs, undergirded with crown molding supported by carved corbels and fluted pilasters are a widespread style for many millworks suppliers. Not so common are the hand carved assortment still made available by artisan carvers in foreign lands. The beauty of these carved gems is unparalleled by the latest 21st century technological marvels. The small nuance and minor imperfections are a signature that says "hand carved" and adds a special charm and unique character. Mass production techniques will in my humble opinion, never attain to the skill of the masters. Carvers can undercut and form sharp interior cuts that are not possible with high tech 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.