Chimney Care Company's Blog
Give The Gift That Keeps on Giving: A Fireplace Facelift!
Fireplaces are the heart of a home.
They provide a focal point for the home’s living space, and they serve as a place for friends and family to gather around. A fireplace that’s outdated or in disrepair, however, can leave a homeowner frustrated and embarrassed, and the fireplace itself can sit unused. That’s why a fireplace facelift provides the perfect gift! It can update the look of a home, render a fireplace once again use-able and lower heating bills. A fireplace facelift can even increase the value of a home! When you give a fireplace facelift for a holiday gift, you have a variety of options for updating the look of the fireplace to suit the gift recipient’s needs and your budget.Some common fireplace upgrades include:
- Fireplace repairs. Often, the problem with the fireplace is that the fireplace is showing its age. The firebox tiles crack. The hearth becomes stained. The metal grates corrode. How can you give someone a fireplace facelift? Hiring skilled fireplace technicians to fix their fireplace’s simple cosmetic problems! This provides a restored, beautiful fireplace that is once again a pleasure to look at and that is safe for lighting a fire.
- Fireplace accessories. Fireplace accessories can dress up the hearth and provide and instant fireplace facelift. Andirons, a quality set of fireplace tools, or a well-crafted fireplace screen are all great gift options. This is especially true when you’re looking to dress up someone’s fireplace.
- Fireplace façade. Perhaps nothing reveals a fireplace’s age like the façade. Fireplace trends come and go, and a façade that was trendy 10 years ago can age a home. Fortunately, there are many ways to give the fireplace a facelift. That includes adding tile or veneers over outdates surfaces, changing out fireplace doors, or replacing a passé mantle. Sometimes the right coat of paint or finishing treatment can make a hearth look like new.
- Fireplace insert. One of the most dramatic fireplace facelifts you can gift someone is a fireplace insert. A fireplace insert can instantly change the look of the hearth. In addition, it can upgrade fireplace efficiency and lower home heating bills. An insert also can make a fireplace more use-able.
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Mantel Decorating Ideas for the Holidays
Next to the tree, nothing sets the tone for the holidays quite like a well-decorated mantel. Whether you prefer traditional décor or modern flair, there are some tips and tricks to employ when putting together a stylish fireplace mantel for the holiday season.
Mantel decorating: The basics.
Regardless of what your overall vision for your mantel is, knowing some mantel decorating basics that can set you up for decorating success. Here are some things you’ll want to keep in mind when decorating your mantel:
Focus on symmetry. You will want your mantel to feel balanced. That means having similarly sized items on each side of the mantel. A good rule of thumb is to place your largest décor items on the outside edges of the mantel and work your way inward.
Have both vertical and horizontal components. Garlands are a mantel mainstay for a reason. It’s good design to have a horizontal décor element on your mantel to accompany your vertical décor. Don’t want to go with the traditional greenery? You can choose a long length of driftwood, a garland of Christmas bulbs, a bunting, or an eclectic mix of stockings.
Don’t let your garland or greenery hang too long.
If you do choose to drape décor from your mantel, it should not come more than one third of the way to the floor.
Mix in a variety of materials and textures. Don’t just stick with natural wood candlesticks and greenery, or Christmas bulbs and glass vases. Add interest to your mantel by using a mix of materials and textures. You can add an unexpected element to a traditional green mantel by using antique cars and toys. Or you can add pine cones to a mantel filled with glass bulbs.
Anchor your mantel with a backdrop. Add a mirror, a modern piece of holiday artwork or lighted aluminum or cardboard letters. This theme to the wall above or behind your mantel will anchor your décor. In addition, help you turn your fireplace, mantel, and wall into a stunning focal point.
Mantel safety tips:
If you use your fireplace to provide heat or ambiance to your home, it’s also important to keep fireplace safety in mind when decorating your mantel. Some basic mantel decorating tips to keep in mind are:
Use nonflammable materials. Even if you choose to use natural looking greenery, flame-retardant garlands are available. Also, they provide a safe choice for decorating your mantel. If you light your fireplace, avoid buntings or hanging tinsel that could catch fire or melt.
Avoid hanging décor. If you will be lighting your fireplace, skip hanging the stockings in front of the fireplace. Instead, place garlands on top of the mantel, rather than draping it from the mantel. When you finish decorating, make sure you take a step back and evaluate the mantel décor. This is to make sure none of your decorations are too close to the hearth.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy. If you have a fireplace, it’s always wise to have a fire extinguisher nearby and to make sure it is ready to use. As you decorate your mantel, it’s an excellent time to make sure that you have an extinguisher on hand, in case your décor does ignite.