If you use the fireplace during get-togethers, I wouldn't put pillows on the hearth (of course, not as important if the fireplace is gas, I guess). The purpose of a hearth is to create a non-combustible area around the fireplace :) I am not sure what people could wear that would scratch or discolor the stone, but I would probably relax and enjoy my guests.

One of our fireplaces has a raised hearth too (but with a modern flat front). Ours is pretty long; I have a few knick knacks on either end. People do sit on it. Ours is travertine; honestly I've never thought about people scratching it. I don't think you could scratch ours. I think to get stains out of ours (if someone spilled red wine or something???) you just use sandpaper, I believe. But the kids have spilled things on it and everything has wiped up. Is yours really soft or something?

{{!gwi}}

I believe mine is painted tiles. The mantle and surround is a painted wood and the hearth is painted to match. I noticed from afar that after my last party there were marks on it and I just cleaned it and could remove some of the marks but not all...they are faint but still my concern is that the area is going to get scratched and marked up on that painted surface. I don't mind people sitting there, but I need to find something to protect the surface from further damage. I may end up making pillows to go there as I can't find anything on the internet (so far) that will work.

i would think that even if you have pillows on the hearth, there will still be rubbing of fabric-most people don't sit completely still....unless you think it was someone's pants pocket buttons, purse or something like that that scratched it. i think just asking people not to sit on it, providing alternative seating by the hearth or having a decorative something or other that you could put on the hearth temporarily(like the large pots in the above picture)to prevent sitting during parties might be a more foolproof way to protect it....

I actually thought of that and figured I would need to make the pillows with a white felt backing. The other thought is to put fenders there that match my screen. Just thinking out loud. :-)

I would place a bench in front of the fireplace so that people choose to sit on he bench instead of the hearth. I would put decorative items as well. What I wouldn't do is ask people not to sit there because I don't think that's being a gracious host.

Yes, I am not the type to ask not to sit there, it seems ungracious to me too. I have been searching for fenders and that may be the best way to go. Then I will try to find an ottoman or something so people can sit in that area. I am still undecided so any feedback is welcomed.

I'm not sure if you have a coffee table or not, but we just replaced our coffee table with a long leather ottoman. If I had your situation, I would just slide it over in front of the fireplace when company comes. My hearth is floor level :( so I don't have your problem, but I am planning on moving the ottoman over to the side to add extra seating when I've got a crowd in the room.

Personally, I like the idea of throwing some cushions up there when you have a party.

i would consider this similar to asking someone not to smoke in my house, asking someone to use a coaster with a glass or hot mug, asking someone that might have muddy feet to wipe their feet, etc...i cannot imagine how asking someone not to sit somewhere since it is damaging the furniture/hearth is being ingracious... our raised hearth is stone, as are many, and i know i wouldn't think twice about sitting on a hearth without even thinking i might damage it...i would WANT to know that sitting on the hearth would cause it damage!!!

i know i would feel awful if i damaged someone's hearth unknowingly and would offer to pay for repair...i think the GRACIOUS thing to do would be to offer other seating to prevent damage!
then, again, i'm the mom of 3 teenaged boys and am always correcting/teaching it seems! doesn't faze me one bit i guess! maybe i've lost touch with proper etiquette! oh well!

LOL busybee, I better let you come over an coral the hearth sitters, sounds like you would be good at it. :-)

I am now kind of thinking about setting decorative trays with votives in those areas so nobody can sit there. Then getting a big round ottoman for folks that want to sit on that side of the room. I do have a large coffee table in the middle of the room already.

Vampiressrn...love the tray idea and yes, if you can find a comfy ottoman, even better! Let us know how that works out.

nothing to do with your hearth, but when we first were showing off the progress in our kitchen, for some odd reason people were attracted to leaning on the stainless 48" fridge....nobody leaned on my fridge before. I was always dying that it would get dented or scratched. Luckily the skins were in the process of being replaced due to damage during delivery, but still.... I never could tell them to "stop leaning on the fridge" for fear of sounding a little too uptight about the kitchen project. So, I understand that you don't want to ask people not to sit there. Come to think of it they also sit on my hot tub cover--it's styrofoam under there people, it will break...butts in chairs.

Beekeep...ya got the moxie girlfriend...LOL. That fridge thing would be freaking me out too.

I am usually open house, pretty much do what ya want at my parties, my friends are very respectful. Everyone knows where things are in my kitchen and in the Tiki Lounge. People help themselves to fridge and bar items. People are welcome to bring their dogs over to play with my dogs in the backyard. Rarely get a broken glass or spills, but those things happen and ya just need to deal with them. That fireplace hearth was just bugging me...but think I am getting some ideas so appreciate all the feedback.