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Dress Up Your Hearth for Fireplace Season
The right screen and accessories add the finishing touches to a cozy night by the fire
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You can find some really great tips on dressing up a fireplace's mantel, but the hearth is often overlooked. But if the hearth is not addressed, your total vision for your fireplace may fall short. Fortunately, it doesn't take much to accentuate your hearth, and doing so can increase the "wow" factor of your entire fireplace.
A fireplace hearth is the fire-resistant material placed in front of a firebox, though when decorating you should keep the firebox itself and the screen in front of it in mind as well. Like mantels, hearths vary in height, depth and width — all of which you have to consider when decorating.
Measure not only the depth of your hearth to make sure any pieces you buy will fit, but also measure the height to the mantel so you know how tall your accents can be. In addition, measure the width of the space from the sides of the firebox to the to the outer corner of the hearth. Keep the measurements with you because you never know where you will be when you stumble on the perfect hearth accessory. For inspiration, check out the photos that follow.
A fireplace hearth is the fire-resistant material placed in front of a firebox, though when decorating you should keep the firebox itself and the screen in front of it in mind as well. Like mantels, hearths vary in height, depth and width — all of which you have to consider when decorating.
Measure not only the depth of your hearth to make sure any pieces you buy will fit, but also measure the height to the mantel so you know how tall your accents can be. In addition, measure the width of the space from the sides of the firebox to the to the outer corner of the hearth. Keep the measurements with you because you never know where you will be when you stumble on the perfect hearth accessory. For inspiration, check out the photos that follow.
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| Start any makeover with the fireplace screen. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, the screen is essential. It prevents sparks from flying everywhere into your rooms, stops logs from rolling out, and keeps little kids and pets from wandering inside the firebox. The screen may be functional, but it can be showstopper as well. There are a lot of choices out there; look for one that complements the rest of the room. Also, your screen should be larger than the firebox itself. This can be a challenge because most fireplaces are built on-site and may not be a standard size. Take measurements of your opening before you go shopping. |
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Less is more. This circle-themed fireplace screen is all that's needed to make a simple yet bold statement on a chic polished fireplace hearth.
| No room for accessories? Look for a screen that pops visually. A screen with a gentle curve or a three-screen panel will give a 3D effect for a more contemporary feel. |
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| Place equally weighted objects on each side of the hearth for a symmetrical and balanced design, which is subconsciously pleasing to the eye. Here the symmetry of the urns on the hearth is echoed in the placement of the couches. |
| An asymmetrical approach is less formal and more unexpected. Items won't mirror each other, though it is important to maintain a balance of scale and size. For a contemporary or modern look keep it clean by using just one or two bolder pieces. |
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Bring in accessories that accentuate the colors in the room. If using warm colors in the rest of the space, stick with deeper hues; use lighter hues for a cooler palette. Don't overdo it. It can look cluttered if there are too many random colors in such a small space.
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| Sticking to the style of the room is key. Whether your style is casual, traditional, rustic, or eclectic, choose accent pieces with character. |
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Your hearth accessories are like jewelry for your fireplace, so look for finishes that complement each other. Purchasing coordinated hearth accessories is an easy first step.
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by Pottery Barn
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| Whether your design is symmetrical or asymmetrical, lanterns are great accessories. Set matching tall lanterns on either side of the hearth for a more formal feel. If you prefer a casual look, vary the height with a tall lantern on one side and a coordinating but shorter one on the other side. Look for lanterns with a finish that will go well with the style of the rest of the room. |
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| Unite the hearth and the mantel by repeating a color on both. Keep it simple so it does not look overdone. |
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by Gast Architects
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| If you have an open fireplace, your andirons can make a beautiful statement. Used to provide air circulation underneath the logs and to reduce wear and tear on the bottom of the firebox, andirons come in a variety of finishes and a range of styles from traditional to contemporary. |
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For a modern feel, use a simple bold piece like this contemporary log holder cube.
by Splendid Willow
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Baskets like these corral logs and add an interesting mix of texture and shape to a casual fireplace hearth.
Are you hearth-proud? Please share a photo below!
More: 16 Stunningly Beautiful Fireplaces
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Photos: Browse hearths and fireplaces
Products: Fireplace accessories for every style
Are you hearth-proud? Please share a photo below!
More: 16 Stunningly Beautiful Fireplaces
Tile Fireplace Surrounds
Photos: Browse hearths and fireplaces
Products: Fireplace accessories for every style
Ideabook published on Oct. 12, 2011.
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Thank fully our home is concrete so termites are not an issue - However, termites don't live in dry wood, if there are termites in your firewood then you either have termites on your property already or the person does that supplied the wood. Generally only stray termites will be brought in with the firewood (not the queen who is necessary for the colony to grow) - maybe check though before you haul that lovely pile of firewood into your living room, splitting it first and drying it will also help - dry wood burns better anyway.