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Banishing the winter blues with a real fire
Fire
There is nothing more comforting than a real fire.
"Your fire surround should reflect the feel of your room"
Get rid of any fireplace that you have at your peril. They may take up wall space, but their mere presence adds a wonderful, comfortable feeling.
Gas effect fires have come a long way in recent years, providing decoration and heat. They cut out the hassle factor and can work with special logs, twigs, stones or just fire bowls; providing you with an opportunity to express your individuality.
Your fire surround should reflect the feel of your room. Granite and smooth stones work wonderfully in modern homes, and antique reclamation yards are great sources for those requiring a traditional touch in an older property.
In a living room your fireplace should form the natural focal point and, in an age of Flat Screen TVs, where better to place it than above a roaring fire?
Your chimney breast can also be the focal point to introduce a new design element into the room via a feature colour, wallpaper or even just a new texture.
Do not despair if you are without a flue, as there are wall-mounted fires that provide the full visual effect, with none of the fuss and bother.
They also allow you to put fires where you would never normally be able to (especially useful in flats) and come in a variety of styles both traditional and contemporary.
Some do not even require mains gas, but use replaceable pots of gel to allow the real flame effect and are even available as a complete freestanding unit including fire surround.
Check out these websites for innovative and interesting design:
Jamie Hempsall is an interior designer who undertakes commissions throughout the country. For more information visit his website at www.jamiehempsall.com or call for an appointment on 01777 248463.
Stockists:
B&Q – www.diy.com
- Winther Browne Cotham Solid Fuel Surround Polished £299
- Focal Point Reflection Wall Hung Flueless Gas Fire Chrome £799
Homebase – www.homebase.co.uk
- Havana Marble Gas Fire Suite £799
- Broadway Wall Mounted Gas Fire £499
Gelfireplaces.Com – www.gelfireplaces.com
- Black Affinity Flame £249
- Athena Free Standing Unit £695
CVO – www.cvo.co.uk
- Fire Ribbon from £2,795
- Small Oval Firebowl from £1,595
