Our primal connection to art and fire have gone hand-in-hand ever since cavemen created art on the walls of caves by firelight. This sculptural steel fireplace surround by Focus Fireplaces makes me think of seeing a fire through the opening of a cave. It feels simultaneously ancient and modern.
by CF + D custom fireplace design
The sculptural elements of this classic fireplace rival anything I saw in the castles of Europe! It makes me want to relax in front of the fire while listening to Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto Number 3 in G Major." That music always makes me feel uplifted in spirit, and I think it fits the fireplace.
by Craig Denis
This immense fireplace reminds me of the monolithic sculptures of artist Richard Serra.
by Four Corners Construction, L.P.  
Shown from another view you can see what interesting angles the fireplace has.
by Four Corners Construction, L.P.  
Selecting the right piece of stone and choosing the direction of placement shows off a stunningly beautiful natural work of art. It's an ancient piece of stone, yet it reads like a contemporary abstract painting.
by Pepe Calderin Design- Miami Modern Interior Design  
This fireplace is on a more intimate scale than the previous examples, but still wonderfully artistic.
by Mahoney Architects & Interiors
I love the glow of light through the textured glass panels. The chunky mass of the marble mantel is beautifully offset by the thinner and unexpectedly floating marble hearth. What a delight!
by Birdseye Design
This amazing fireplace was custom designed for the client and hand carved from stone. I would listen to Bach again, but this time it would have to be "Tocata and Fugue in D Minor," a much heavier piece.
by Cravotta Studios -Interior Design  
I don't know what material this fireplace is made from, but it reminds me of the Mexican black clay pottery from Oaxaca. It has such a beautiful, glossy black surface with a slight variation in color. The shape is softly organic, as if it were handmade on a potter's wheel. The organic shape feels so natural that it actually took me awhile to notice that it is set off center in the wall.
by Webber + Studio, Architects  
This series of giant gray blocks brings the carved stones of lost civilizations to mind — think Egyptian temple blocks. It also fits perfectly with the painting on the wall.
by Ehrlich Architects  
This is such a unique surround with its asymmetrical placement of copper and stone. I like the way the copper picks up colors in the fire.
by LDa Architecture & Interiors  
I think the interesting layering of geometric shapes and the alternating vertical and horizontal wood grain definitely give this surround an artistic flair.
by Jerry Bussanmas
I thought I would wrap up this ideabook with a few more fireplace surrounds created by the same firm whose work is shown in the lead photo. The green patinaed metal surround can be open to expose the fire within ...
by CF + D custom fireplace design
... or closed to give just a glimpse. This mysterious slash of an opening would look beautiful even when the fire isn't lit.
by CF + D custom fireplace design
Without a fire underneath it, I would expect to see this in a modern art museum.
by CF + D custom fireplace design
And this one too!
by CF + D custom fireplace design  
Art often provokes a response or emotion in the viewer. This one has a wild tilt that makes me feel off balance for a minute.

So did any of these fireplaces spark your interest?

More: Browse more photos of fireplace designs
19 Dream Tubs for Bath Lovers
by CF + D custom fireplace design

Comments

andreadream pour me a glass of wine please!
24 months ago · ·
louzucaro My favorite is probably the 3rd to last one. I like that it completely throws out the traditional idea of what a fireplace is and how it's built and incorporated into a space. It also seems to fit perfectly into its surroundings.

Next, I like the 2nd to last one, which reminds me of the Gyrofocus, but with some Googie thrown in, which is fun. It brings a bit of whimsy to what could otherwise be a much more serious space.
24 months ago · ·
Molto Bene Studios wow. just wow.
24 months ago ·
Karen Ho Fatt These certainly catch your eye. The most unique and different are photo 1 and 13 and 14. Not seen anything like those before!
24 months ago ·
Texas Lightsmith amazing!
24 months ago ·
neverending This is a collection of some of the most sexy fireplaces I have ever seen. I love the sculpture, it really takes the fireplace out of the box....pun intended.
24 months ago ·
nasafemme Great ideabook. I would love to see some examples with woodstove inserts for inspiration.
24 months ago ·
Linda Dooley It moves my soul!
24 months ago ·
joan picone I LOVE ALL OF THESE! What a great idea book!
24 months ago ·
Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR andreadream -- red or white?

louzucaro -- what the heck is Googie? Sounds fun!

khofatt -- thank you! The first photo is what got me rolling on this ideabook. Couldn't take my eyes off of it! Love the unique styles!

neverending -- Ha! Sexy and hot too, right? The puns could get ridiculous here!

nasafemme -- quite a challenge. It's tough to find woodstoves that don't look about a hundred years old. There are some contemporary ones though. I did this blog on my own website last year. There are a couple woodstoves that you might like.
http://interior-design-portland.com/baby-its-cold-outside-pangaeas-picks-top-ten-fireplaces/
24 months ago ·
CAROLE MEYER Oh wow, these are fabulous!! LOVE the first one! Carole www.carolemeyerart.com
24 months ago ·
twokubes Some of these are very nice, but most do not highlight the sense of intimacy and warmth I expect from a fireplace area. I would have liked to have seen some more traditional, warm and wood tone examples along with your modern and great room examples.
24 months ago · ·
Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR Carole -- thanks for checking it out!

twokubes -- the whole focus of the ideabook was to highlight fireplaces that are different and artistic with out-of-the-box design. Just not the right ideabook for the intimate and traditional type of fireplace. Although the ones in the 2nd, 6th, 11th, and 12th photos show either traditional style, intimate size, or wood -- so I did get them in there :0)
24 months ago ·
James Hill Architect I'd like to submit this entry produced at Guthrie/Friedlander Architects (now Michael Guthrie and Company) for Jayson Pahlmeyer, of Pahlmeyer Wines. Intimate, no. Warm and generous in spirit--absolutely!
24 months ago · ·
tadeyeri very innovative
24 months ago ·
Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR jameshill -- Thank you for the addition. It's a real beauty! Looks like someone was enjoying a little wine by the fire. I'm curious about that notch in the lower right side of it. Is that a passageway?
24 months ago ·
rach649 it would be nice to know if these are all vented fireplaces ...
24 months ago ·
Ancient Surfaces Very nice picks pangaea!
Good job with this informative blog.
Your website http://interior-design-portland.com is lovely as well.
Visit our site and I'm sure you'll have a new set of faves to add up to your next blog!
www.AncientSurfaces.com
Enjoy!
24 months ago · ·
James Hill Architect Regarding Pahlmeyer fireplace, notch behind heads towards mudroom. There is also a passage through the top that leads into the master suite.
24 months ago · ·
vent3717 Very different...I always thought a fireplace should look cozy...none of these gave me that feeling.
23 months ago · ·
ethel8 some inspiration indeed l love the fire place and it make a home homely indeed hopefuly l will afford these designs one day
22 months ago ·
nassaumary ...to each their own...
22 months ago ·
Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR vent3717 -- Interesting that you have a "should" about fireplaces. I suppose I'm making a case for the opposite thought -- that imagination and artistry can create just about anything when it comes to a fireplace. The sheer warmth & glow of the fire and a comfortable chair & snuggly throw blanket are what make a fireplace feel cozy to me. But our homes are more than just art and architecture. Sometimes a traditional style can bring back happy memories and that is what gives you a feeling of well-being. Regardless of the look -- there is something just wonderful about sitting near a lit fireplace. I even insisted on having one when I lived in San Diego and it only got cold enough to have a fire a few evenings each year. Now that I'm in Portland, I get to use mine all the time.

nassaumary -- you said it! I do love diversity!
22 months ago ·
lizzazz918 I am into geo, love rocks. Somehow I just can't get into the cave man version of the fire place in #1 yet I do like the horizontal green one, go figure.
15 months ago ·
igotideaz Such great ideas!! Love the 1st fire place. I'm so glad people think outside the box!
15 months ago ·
karelina CF+D makes the most amazing fireplaces! I just love them! Especially the one with the patina - exquisite!
8 months ago ·
frenchdecor Love them all, sculptural design.
8 months ago ·
mihail55 extremely good ideas
7 months ago ·
ccheuvront Just fabulous.... someone please come dress up my boring blank wall FP!
6 months ago ·
mihail55 fabulous
6 months ago ·
Realstone Systems Love the grouping of fireplaces! And what better timing for a fireplace redo then right before the upcoming holidays?

We have a large variety of fireplaces. Check out this one located in Canada. Though a seemingly simple fireplace layout, its uniqueness is sparked by the dramatic shifts in color from the dark fireplace to the white walls and accents. It features a vertical stacked stone, rather than the horizontal that we normally see. Would love to cozy up in this space with a glass of wine :)
6 months ago · ·
BEENU Interior Design Such a variety of fireplaces with amazing finishes
6 months ago ·
Ancient Surfaces Take a look at some of our breathtaking reclaimed mantle pieces as featured in 'Objekt Magazine', 'Veranda Magazine' and 'Architectural Digest'

And since we're not shy about self promotion (shamelessly!) here's our contacts:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ancient-Surfaces/206792556031046

Website:
http://www.AncientSurfaces.com

Phone:
(212) 461-0245
6 months ago · ·
mihail55 amazing finish,extremely original ideas,gifted autors
6 months ago ·
tracylmathis Too modern for me
4 months ago ·
North Star Stone I am a traditional stone fireplace guy, however, the pictures are so inspiring. It is like going to a museum and looking at abstract art. The featured fireplaces are outstanding in design. Great post.
4 months ago ·
HotPrice.co.uk Some amazing fireplaces here. It's interesting to see the different trends in various countries in the world. In the United Kingdom there has been a dramatic increase in the popularity of wood burning fireplaces which has a lot to do with rising gas prices. However, high efficiency gas fireplaces are also very popular - especially the contemporary models
8 weeks ago · ·
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