Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Fireplace Antiques for Your Home


Over time, new owners of old houses have restructured their homes by taking down old fireplaces and fireplace antiques in order to have a more aerodynamic look in their house. Some however chose a more nostalgic approach and instead of trying to modernize their house, decided to restore what was falling apart. If you’re one of the few who hold pride in owning an old house, and are attempting to renovate it, then knowing your history and knowing the variety of Fireplace Antiques in fashion at the time your house was built, would be a good place to start.

The types of fireplaces in existence vary from every era of architecture. The stores are filled with fireplace antiques designs from the Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian, Federal, Art Deco and Early American styles of homes and there are fireplace antique dealers who specialize in finding them. When you are shopping for fireplace antiques in synchronization with the furnish of your home when restoring it, the more information you give to the fireplace antique dealer of the type of home you have, the bigger the probability that he will find you the perfect fireplace antiques that compliments your rooms. However, that is just not enough, you need to accessorize your fireplace antiques, so that it is a little more than just a bricks and stoned hole in your wall. Set below are a few of the fireplace fittings and accessories that will increase the value and beauty of your fireplace.

Traditional hearth Surrounds: This is one of the most crucial pieces of design when characterizing your fireplace antiques, made from metal, wood, stone or for less expensive costs, from wood enameled, or painted to look like marble. It is not a mantelpiece as most often confused by many. It’s basically comprised of two sides joined together by the mantelpiece, thus the mantel is actually part of the environment. It’s quite easy to install and you could do that yourself, that is, if you’re good with your hands and measurements.

Antique Fireplace Fire backs
These are what cover the back wall of a fireplace. A fire back is usually flat and covers only the rear wall of the fireplace, but some may even fully cover the back and the sides as well. In older times, a fire back was made from cast iron and was intricately designed with intense, moldings or casting in beautiful whimsical designs, from floral patterns to cupids, to all that is in between.

Traditional Hearth Accessories
Fireplace antiques accessories include grates, whose design is such that their purpose is to be able to contain wood, coal or other fuel to be used. The bends of the grates are fitted with iron to prevent the wood or fuel from spilling over, although they may be used for solely decorative purposes as well.


Thursday, April 21, 2011

Restoring Your Home with Reclaimed Fireplaces


Have you been looking to restore the aura of your home but cannot find an affordable fireplace to replace the old one that has become too old? Have you tried reclaimed fireplaces? Let us take a look at the wonderful opportunities that these can provide.
Reclaimed Fireplaces are salvaged from old houses by art collectors and antique experts. Most of the timber thus salvaged goes into the production of furniture and cabinets; however, depending on the state of preservation, old fireplaces can be reclaimed and reused in newer houses too. One of the best ways of finding these is online auctions by companies. You can find lots of options in these auctions that might fit your bill perfectly. The toughest challenge regarding reclaimed fireplaces is getting the measurements right. Sometimes they are larger or smaller and in the process leaving you no way out but to resize or let go. However there are certain companies that specialise in it. The best thing to do is get in touch with one of these.
Reclaimed fireplaces can be prepped up with a little imagination. You can get an interior designer to advise you on probable ways of spicing up the looks and lend a contemporary look to an old one. Raised or recessed panelling and carvings on mantel pieces can be a great way to change the overall look of the room. Traditional fireplaces burn wood which can be replaced with gas stoves placed conveniently within reclaimed fireplaces. Apart from carved wood or gypsum plaster, mantel pieces can be made of natural stone such as Marble or granite. They are sure head turners and cost effective considering the low maintenance cost you will have to incur in comparison to wood or plaster. Similar low maintenance material that you can use is ceramic tiles. These can be fitted in congruity with the floor or ceiling designs.

There is no dearth of great stores that specialize in reclaimed fireplaces, but finding one with similar experience as that of ours should be a hard find. We have experts in complete reclamation and renovation of fireplaces from all periods. We do offer part or complete replacements of old fireplaces with reclaimed fireplaces from our extensive reproduction range. Take a look at our collection or just drop in at our stores. We will be more than happy to assist you. Talk to our representatives at 0161 431 8075 or mail us at Info@FireplaceAntiques.co.uk

Friday, April 8, 2011

Edwardian fireplace


Edwardian fireplace is named after King Edward. There is nothing like a fire in the early evening through which the house is gently heated and provides the comfort of being at home. The fireplaces in the Edwardian era are similar to those of the late Victorian period but even more geometric. The designs from both Victorian and Edwardian period used cast iron grates with a marble or hardwood surround. Fireplace surrounds are necessary for a fireplace to blend into a room rather than stick out like a big hole in the wall.  A large mantel piece or shelves were added to display the newly acquired fashionable ornaments. The fireplaces reflected many styles from a Regency, often seen in early Victorian times to the floral Art Nouveau patterns on tiles and surrounds seen in later Victorian and Edwardian period.
Simpler fireplaces were completely cast iron. Earlier, a cheaper alternative was to use softwoods and then paint or varnish them to make them look grander. Nowadays, one can take professional help to get various design options depending on one’s liking and budget. The requirements can be customized to suit the space, requirements and budget. The reputation of Fireplace Antiques has been built with the comfort that they have brought across to their various clients. The right design keeping in account the area, requirements and budget are some of the common things that one can hear from their clients. Strict quality control at source together with an additional finishing and inspection at the fireplace antiques workshop assures a first class product.
Fireplace antiques specialize in supplying the finest fireplaces and with their unrivalled.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Slate Fireplace Surround

A fireplace surround is an architectural element made of various materials, which surrounds a fireplace, providing aesthetic and safety benefits. Fireplace surrounds are necessary for a fireplace to blend into a room rather than stick out like a big hole in the wall.  There are many different styles of fireplace surround which can fit in a range of design schemes, from modernist concrete designs to formal tiled ones but a slate fireplace surround has its own look. From an aesthetic point of view, Slate Fireplace Surround is subtle and visually pleasant. A fireplace surround can make the fireplace more visually interesting, and hence it becomes engaging to look at whether or not a fire is present.

Other than visually appealing, it provides safety as well. The surround can provide additional layers of fire protection, making the fireplace less dangerous. A brick or tile surround will retard escaping sparks, ensuring that they cannot penetrate the wall around the fireplace and cause a fire, and a built-in surround can provide additional fireproofing insulation around the fireplace, so that a fire will not start inside the wall. Due to safety concerns about fireplaces, many regional building codes specifically address Fireplace Surrounds and their design.
Besides, if a fireplace is being utilized for heating, the surround can increase efficiency. Using tiles, for example, will create more heat, as the tiles will absorb heat from the fire and radiate the heat later, after the fire has been allowed to go out. A roaring fire in the early evening can heat the tile or stone, and the house will be gently heated as the heat dissipates out after the fire is extinguished. The surround can also radiate heat while the fire is burning, and in combination with a small fan, it can help to spread heat around the room or house. 


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Victorian Marble Fireplace


As the focal point of the room still to this day, the humble fireplace is much more than just a decorative feature. It is to be admired, to be used to keep warm and even when the rest of the house could be stripped bare, the original fireplace will remain because it is such a stunning attribute to any home that people want to keep. Victorian Marble Fireplace is made from beautiful Carrara Marble and these fireplaces are designed for that extra wow factor without a high price tag. They can be designed by professionals such that they suit one’s space and look elegant at the same time.
Victorian Marble fireplaces have always been in fashion; an elegant and classical architectural mould that never dates. As many look to buy period property which retains the original Victorian Marble features, it is no surprise that this style still causes a stir amongst antique lovers. Typically made from marble with sleek lines and intricate carving, Victorian Marble fireplaces epitomise all that was rich, stylish and classic of the Victorian era. Impressions last a lifetime and if one would want to make an indelible mark, Victorian marble fireplace is the answer .Nowadays, one can take professional help to get various design options depending on one’s liking and budget. This way, one doesn’t go overboard but customizes the design such that it can look as a part of the house. The reputation of Fireplace Antiques has been built with the comfort that they have brought across to their various clients. The combination of their skill, expertise and knowledge makes them an ideal choice for the design of the Victorian marble fireplace.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Art Nouveau Fireplace


Art Nouveau is a French term meaning "new art" that was used to describe the decorative art style that occurred during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. With its beginnings found in the Arts and Crafts movement of William Morris, Art Nouveau eventually spread all over Europe and into the United States. Art Nouveau Fireplaces are very reminiscent of this era and it’s highly popular nowadays with the propel. Today, there are select style Art Nouveau fireplaces available that look great in fine country houses and grand homes. Even to this day, the Fireplace in a home can have an impact on someone when they walk into the room. They say that the first impression is the last impression and this is what is apt description for Art Nouveau fireplace. In any home, it is often the fireplace that is the focal point of a room, and there is no style more iconic and distinctive than the Art Nouveau fireplace. As they name suggests, it truly is an art piece in itself. Combination Cast Iron Fireplaces in the Art Nouveau Style have sinuous detail to the legs, frieze and canopy.
A combination of Art Nouveau fireplace and modern style furniture really go hand in hand. But it’s important to take a professional help for such kind of fireplaces. Nowadays, one can take professional help to get various design options depending on one’s liking and budget. The reputation of Fireplace Antiques has been built with the comfort that they have brought across to their various clients. The right design keeping in account the area, requirements and budget are some of the common things that one can hear from their clients. The combination of their skill, expertise and knowledge makes them an ideal choice for the design of the Art Nouveau fireplace.


Thursday, March 3, 2011

Georgian Fireplace


Even to this day, the fireplace in a home can have an impact on someone when they walk into the room. It is no wonder then, that people are still intrigued by the 18th century styling of the Georgian era. In any home, it is often the fireplace that is the focal point of a room, and there is no style more iconic and distinctive than the Georgian style.
Georgian Fireplaces have always been in fashion; an elegant and classical architectural mould that never dates. Just one look at them and one can be transferred to an elegant era. As many look to buy period property which retains the original Georgian features; it is no surprise that this style still causes a stir amongst antique lovers. Typically made from wood and / or marble with sleek lines and intricate carving, Georgian fireplaces epitomize all that was rich, stylish and classic of the Georgian era. To this day, people are still fascinated and intrigued by the iconic 18th century and reproduction Georgian fireplaces are highly sought after by those looking to add a little bit of class to their home. Georgian fireplaces really are the focal point of any room. Fireplace antiques specializes in supplying the finest fireplaces. They have an unrivalled selection of top class marble, limestone and sandstone fireplaces and provide excellent customer service. Strict quality control at source together with an additional finishing and inspection at the fireplace antiques workshop assures a first class product. The reputation of Fireplace antiques has been built with the comfort that they have brought across to their various clients. The right design keeping in account the area, requirements and budget are some of the common things that one can hear from their clients. The combination of their skill, expertise and knowledge makes them an ideal choice for the design of the Georgian fireplace.