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Relaxing around the fireplace on a cold winter's evening is simply wonderful. The hypnotic blaze helps take the chill out of the room while creating ambience. For centruries, fireplaces have supplied heat and,for years before that, a place to cook as well. Fireplaces have never lost their celebrity and, in fact, have made substantial advances in popularity. During my 50 plus years, 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 enhancements have been made in climate control for our living spaces, fireplaces persist in being fashionable.

I imagine you"ll concur that with the improvements in climate control, the purpose of the fireplace has markedly changed. They are definitely not about simply heating your home. They are no longer used for preparing meals Stoves have been around for some time. So why do we have this ever growing liking for fireplaces? My spectulation is that fireplaces offer ambience when they're lit. And when they are not, they promote interest, focus and character to a room as well as charm. It would seem that fireplaces, and the mantels that frame them, have been, for some time, one of the discrete architectural elements that add to the flavor of our homes like embellished stairs, arched entry ways, or ornamental range hoods. These are good examples of a marriage between utility and art.

"Wonderful marriage" has to be qualified because not all marriages of art and function are wonderful marriages. I recently had the occasion to observe a home that was about 80 percent done and saw some really ugly marriages. There was an island cabinet that had incredibly oversize and ornate corbels supporting the counter . The fireplace also had gargantuan stone columns supporting the mantel counter. The best thing that could be said is: "More is not necessarily better". Thankfully, there are many decent examples of form and function-just not in that home.

Over the years millworks companies have specialized in fireplace mantels. Demand is usually one step ahead of supply And since the "media" of cabinetmakers is wood, most mantels are fashioned from wood-which is OK with me since wood is my "media". Heavy wood shelves, under laid with crown molding supported by carved corbels and fluted pilasters are a common style for many cabinet makers. Hand carved mantels crafted in foreign lands are not as common but are still to be had. The beauty of these carved gems is unparalleled by the latest 21st century technological genius. The slight nuance and minor defects are a signature that says "hand carved" and ehances the charm and unique character. Mass production techniques will in my humble opinion, never equal the methods of the masters. These artisans can undercut and form sharp interior cuts that are presently not possible with modern methods.

Certainly fireplaces and the mantels that frame them are here for a long time. 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.

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