Designers with an eye toward this form of enhancement, and who are willing to step back are likely to succeed in a world of showoffs who care little about the integrity of the design, but only want to be the first to try something new and outlandish.

When trying to design a room, take a good hard look at its architectural design to help set a mood and style. While you may be able to gut an old worn Victorian kitchen and turn into a high-scale modern one, something would definitely be lost. Why not take the opportunity to showcase your talent and ingenuity by trying to capture the essence of the architectural style and taste by preserving the style in a way that still enables the homeowner to enjoy all the modern conveniences of today?

Keep your eye out for unique room dimensions; unusual window casements; intricate moldings and trims; old fireplaces and doors. Sure, it would be easy to rip out (or paint over) and old brick fireplace and replace it with new sleek travertine, but ask yourself firs is something important would be lost if you did.

Too many buildings today are built exactly alike, making the designer’s job more difficult to try and create a unique setting for each homeowners of office. When you are lucky enough to be given the chance to re-do a local artifact, use its unique design and architecture to showcase its beauty – even if doesn’t quite match your personal style.

So, what should you be looking for when doing your initial walk-through for ideas? Here are a few places to start:

Original Fixtures.
Although original lighting and plumbing fixtures can rarely be used as-is, you can either have them refaced, or you can buy new “retro” ones that offer the same style of the originals, but which feature, newer more modern features. The same is true for things like old claw foot bathtubs; sinks and even ovens found in the kitchen.

Woodwork.
Many older homes and buildings sport beautiful woodwork and hardwood flooring. It can be expensive and time consuming to have them redone vs. ripping them out or painting over them, but is well worth the effort.

Large windowsills and older casings.
Preserving older windows can be tricky since there are energy efficiencies to consider. But, it is possible to preserve the same look and feel of the older windows and still be able to attain more modern temperature control.

Classic Colors.
One way to preserve an older style is by using original colors in the rooms and exterior. Research the original time period of the building to see what was popular in its heyday.

Most modern fireplace designs are uncomplicated-composed of mainly clean straight lines without the lavish décor and classical curves that some traditional designs are known for. They are normally matted in silver or can be in polished wood. Here are some of the most common types and makes of modern fireplace.

Cast iron type is a polished cast insert or fascia panel that accentuates the modern look of your home. The timber surrounds, on the other hand, usually have an oak or pine frame or mantel. This elegant design would fit most contemporary home because it has no fancy corbels. Mix it with granite panel and hearth to achieve that striking contrast.

Perhaps the most common type of modern fireplaces are made from limestone. Lots of modern houses use age-old limestone not just for their fireplaces but also for other parts of the house like the kitchen or even the living room. The reason behind this is that its neutral color helps it to blend with any interior décor. If properly installed, it can even enhance the look of traditional houses. It may look simple, but it surely has a luxurious feel to it. Limestones vary in color and veining so no two limestone fireplaces look exactly the same-even if they have the same design.

Some companies offer micro grain marble mantel for you fireplace. What they do is crush these marbles into fine pieces and then bond them together to make a fireplace mantel. The good thing about this type is that they have a subtle but high gloss finish and remains as glossy for years to come.

Now if you like a modern fireplace design that can last a lifetime, then choose a fireplace suite that is made from natural stone. Some companies build these suites with a durable finish-they are scratch and stain resistant-and are suitable for gas fires.

With today’s modern styles, the options and possibilities are truly endless. These designs may appear lacklustre at first, but once you see the overall look of your home, you will realize that there is beauty in simplicity. These modern fireplace designs do not downplay the contemporary look of any home but actually highlight it. Who wouldn’t want to have a fireplace that blends well with the interior of the house? Not only is it pleasing to the eye but also provides you with a more enjoyable lounging whenever you prefer to stay in your living room.

The cosy and homey feeling brought about by the fireplace’s lit fire is a feast for the senses. And if you are a hopeless romantic, the best way to cap the night off is to sit via the fireside with your loved right beside you. What a difference a fireplace makes!

This particular design is popular with many homeowners because it adds unrivaled beauty and exhibits efficiency. Masonry fireplaces can be found in most homes since they not only provide the tranquility of a fireplace, but also have extreme functionality that fits just about any need that homeowner might have. To get the best out of this type of fireplace, one must keep these useful ideas in mind.

When designing a fireplace, it is important to use a fireplace insert and flue, no matter what type of material is used to create it. These elements prevent all the heat generated by the fireplace to escape to the chimney, which defeats the purpose of having a fireplace in the first place. Apart from this, choosing the right material that will match with the whole design of the room should also be done. Whether brick or stone, it is necessary that it will match with the room’s décor or else a clash of elements will occur which can be very unsightly to look at.

The next consideration you have to make is to think how big your fireplace should be. You can just imagine what a mismatch it will be if a huge fireplace is right smack in the middle of a very little room. You wouldn’t want it to be swallowing everything in the room, so keep the size in moderation and appropriate for the room. After identifying the size of the fireplace, you can now decide on the size and design of the hearth and the fireplace surround. Next, you’ll want to consider the functional elements like a built-in firewood storage area and the furniture that will achieve the overall ambiance of the room.

Basically, before spending much of your time thinking of the best masonry fireplace design, you must know how you intend to use the fireplace. Once you have identified its particular use, you can now start designing and building it around that central consideration. When designing, you must also consider the amount of maintenance that a masonry fireplace requires so that you can check if you will be able to maintain its beauty amidst its use.

Do not limit yourself with the traditional designs you see in home improvement magazines because there are countless possibilities to play with. The most important thing is that when you finish, it will be something unique, one of a kind, and will be treasured for the many years to come.

At its best, a masonry fireplace design will give the much needed relaxing atmosphere in the house. That is why all the efforts to beautify it must be undertaken to create an elegant piece that will last for a lifetime, treasuring with it the many secrets told over the fire.

1910’s – The homes of 1910’s were quite similar to the homes of 1900, perhaps the only difference is this is when interior designs came into play. The home itself you would probably find wooden floors, paneled walls, the windows are likely to be stained glass, the most noticeable item in a 1910’s home in my opinion would be the fireplace, it would be the focus point of the room, very large hearth placed in an inglenook or recess, you would also notice the mantle to be carved and often there would be a motto above it. When it came to decorating these homes, this is when handmade items became very important, wooden handmade furniture, lots of copper and pewter would also be found in these homes. The most noticeable thing décor wise would have to be hands down the wallpaper, normally made with vegetable dyes and wood blocks.

1920’s – These years the homes started to make quite a change in design. The homes were now being built noticeably smaller than those of previous years. A new style of housing was also introduced, this was the bungalow, or as we sometimes now call them, ranchers. These are homes with all the living space on only one floor. These houses now had toilets as well. The most distinctive style was the Modern style. Normally the priority was purpose; they avoided decorations and focused on the use of chrome and glass. They would have flat roofs, white concrete walls, and large windows with iron frames. Rather than using decorative items home owners would decorate with their fireplace, furniture, wallpaper, and fabric, often of a brighter color.

1930’s – In the 1930’s you would still find quite simple architecture and style, mainly due to the fact that during World War II people just had more to worry about than interior decorating. You would find inside colors such as dull greens and browns. Houses tend to be in a semi-detached pairs and owned rather than rented. Due to the shortage of timber, the trussed roof was introduced, this is a factory made roof that requires little skill to erect, but provides no attic space. The more modern style of these years was called the sun-trap, the main goal for this style was to receive as much natural light as possible, so they introduced the big curved windows.

1940’s – Starting in 1940 there was a more modern or contemporary look. These would be one or two storey homes or even a split level home. They would have large windows, open floor plans, and horizontal lines with simple details. One of the most noticeable things you might see is the fact the front porches of the older homes pretty much vanish in the 1940’s homes. During the ‘40’s carpet becomes very common, as do the use of refrigerators. You would find a lot of yellow, metal canister sets, white enamel surfaces, pretty aprons, and chicken & rooster motifs in the kitchen.

1950’s – This era was all about open spaces. A lot of wood was used such as wood paneled walls, wood walls, although carpet was preferred these days. Very simple designs for the house itself, and the way it was decorated. You would probably see a lot of greens and yellows throughout the home. Also quite popular in decorating these homes were area rugs, lamps, and you guessed it…wallpaper.

1960’s – Oh the ‘60’s. As far as I’m concerned, you couldn’t have accused anyone of having “no taste” considering the “in thing” was to purposely combine colors that don’t match. Home designs haven’t changed much but interior designing has gone crazy! In most homes you would find shag rugs, also pop art and op art were very popular, pictures of icons, comic strips, etc… covered the walls and the use of pattern and color to simulate movement that op art delivered was everywhere, whether it be crazy mismatched colors or the oh so famous black and white, this was a very “far out” time.

1970’s –  Similar to the ‘50’s in the sense that the more space the better, people were wanting big, bright, open spaces, lots of sundecks and porches were added onto homes of the ‘70’s. There was still a bit of color in decorating but quite calmer than the years in the ‘60’s. You would notice some homeowners remodeling older homes, or even converting, barns, clock towers, carriage houses, and stables into homes. Eclecticism in interior design continued to grow throughout the ‘70’s. Meaning people would use older styles and blend them into their new styles.

1980’s – Homes built during the 1980’s tend to be quite boxy, often homes had vaulted ceilings. Inside these homes you would find items such as the halogen lamp, and waterbeds in the bedrooms. Finally these are the years when people decided to invest in their kitchens, now used as a hub of the house, rather than just for function people would spend time entertaining there. You would see a lot of brass throughout the home, especially in the kitchen and bathroom.

1990’s – During the 1990’s it became imperative to build affordable housing, the most common were 2-story, split-level, and the condominium was becoming quite popular. You would most likely find a lot of homes with skylights in them. The décor you’d find inside the home would be very soft colors, lots of gadgets such as home theatres, automatic garage door openers, garbage disposals, intercom systems, and anything electronic. One of the biggest changes would be the main floor laundry rooms, as opposed to previous years where they would have been in the basement.

2000’s – The 2000’s are very much about status, you will find a lot of cosmetics added to homes outside and in, such as professionally landscaped property, lots of lights, additions, skylights, etc… you are sure to find condominiums to be the new “it”, they are everywhere, people are concerned about space so we build up rather than out. Inside of these homes are quite incredible actually, you’ll find items such as digital thermostats, digital ovens, anything digital. The use of Stainless Steel has become very common, beautiful light fixtures; a lot of homes have home offices in them, as more and more people are working from the comfort of their own homes. A lot of people think of their home as their own little museum where you can display all of what you’ve accomplished and we show who we are by the way e decorate our homes…can’t wait to see what the 2010’s have in store for us.

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Sofia Rucci -

Let’s face it: it is really hard to decide which style would fit in your house. This is doubly hard for people who have the slightest idea about interior design let alone building a fireplace. First you have to consider where you would want to put your fireplace. Then there’s the material to be used and the contractor that you will hire for the job (unless you are familiar with carpentry and can build a fireplace on your own).

You would also have to consider your budget. Even if you want a very stylish hearth but your finances wouldn’t allow for it, then you just might choose the next best style. While you can mix and match all the ideas that come to your mind, it is better to look at some design photos first to give you a general idea of possible styling solutions for your home.

Modern times call for houses with contemporary look. This is the trend these days. Yet some prefer a more traditional appeal. There are even avant-garde designers who fuse the old with the new, giving your home a unique look-it’s neither traditional nor contemporary, but it has the best of both worlds. Whichever you prefer, the key really is to incorporate the design of your fireplace with the overall design of your homes. Or else you could be creating a blackhole inside your homes because your fireplace just doesn’t fit right.

The good thing is that most house builders who specialize in designing fireplaces provide you with the photos of their own work. These are photos of their commissioned work from different clients. You can choose to build a fireplace based from these existing design photos or you may ask them to create a custom fireplace for your home.

In terms of fusion designs or a combination of modern and conventional, there are a lot of possibilities. At one point you might think that the fireplace in the photo you are looking at is traditional, not knowing that its fire is running on gas instead of traditional wood. Looking closer, you will have seen minute details, which reveals its contemporary influences.

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Terry Edwards -