Fireplaces New and Old

The Fireplace is Queen of the Ball

Last week the wife and I were down in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina, where she was attending a business conference. We spent three wonderful nights at the Francis Marion Hotel, right smack in the center of town -- and on her company's dime, no less. That's the hotel ballroom in the picture above. Not too shabby, eh?

The 1920s-era hotel was painstakingly restored back in 1996, combining art deco charm with modern conveniences. We had a flatscreen TV, down pillows and a seventh story view across the lovely green expanse of Marion Square. Indeed, if I stood at our window and leaned far enough to my right I could just make out the glorious new bridge across the Cooper River, which really is a site to behold. As hotels go, I'd recommend the Francis Marion to anybody headed down to the South Carolina low country.

There was only one problem. Specifically, unless you wandered down to the ballroom, which is dominated by the gorgeous marble-accented fireplace pictured above, there was no place for the wife and me to warm our toes after we got back from a night on the town.

I don't blame the hotel, so you know. At twelve stories and umpteen rooms, the Francis Marion is one of the tallest buildings on the Peninsula, and no matter how much I love a good crackler, putting fireplaces in every room of a twelve story building just isn't practical these days. I mean, can you imagine the venting problems?

Still, I wanted to experience the Holy City on a more intimate level before we headed home, so on the last day of the wife's conference I looked around until I found a B&B -- with a functioning hearth. Then, once the wife had wrapped up her work responsibilities, I surprised her by announcing that I'd booked two more nights in the city.

And here's where I started to feel conflicted. Yes, our room at the B&B was absolutely gorgeous, and yes, it did have a fireplace. In fact, it was a very nice fireplace, with state-of-the-art gas logs and classy glass doors. Unfortunately, it didn't fit the room's decor at all and almost seemed like an affront to the antebellum house.

I mean, there we were, lying in a four-poster bed in a room that may have well have slept George Washington at some point in our city's glorious history, and the modern-era fireplace I'm staring into looks like it could have been custom-built for a loft in SoHo. The original facade and mantel were either torn out completely our covered over in drywall. I'd throw up a picture, but it's almost too depressing.

I don't know, maybe it's me, but I tend to think an 18th-century bedroom ought to have an 18th-century hearth, don't you? Sure, maybe the original brick was a little damaged, or maybe the mortar had begun to crumble in spots, but in this day and age there's rarely an excuse for tearing out the old and putting in the new -- especially if the old is that old. I mean, c'mon, we're talking history here. I bet they could have fixed the darned thing with a quick scrub and a coat of fireplace paint. Heck, they could at least have tried, right?

Disappointed as I was, the fireplace situation at this particular B&B (which I won't name here, as it was otherwise a lovely place) did get me thinking. It also got me wondering how other people out there feel about fireplace restoration. In fact, what do you think, FD readers? Should old fireplaces be ripped out or lovingly restored to their original appearance? Should wood burners be replaced with modern gas log systems? Should iron doors always be replaced with galss? Or should we try to find a compromise that satisfies our sense of nostalgia and our need for modern convenience and safety? I know my own opinions, but I'd welcome a few others. So whatever your take, I'd love to hear it . . .

Fireplace Getaway

Thinking about the fireplace makeover contest over at Brick-Anew got me thinking about their excellent line of fireplace paint products, which I’ve used before and which I plan to use again once I close on my mountain getaway next week.

That’s right, I haven’t mentioned it here yet, but when I wasn’t on the road this fall and summer talking to other fireplace enthusiasts around the country, I spent a good chunk of time up in the Smoky Mountains, looking for a home away from home. No, I didn’t win the lottery – far from it –but I figured if I got far enough off the beaten path and found a place that needed a little (no, a LOT) of tender loving care, maybe I could swing it.

Anyway, the place I finally found is awesome – or it will be, once I finish fixing it up. It’s got two bedrooms, a rustic kitchen and a front porch I absolutely cannot wait to sit on next summer. Not surprisingly, if you know me, this little slice of paradise also comes with a truly amazing masonry hearth that dominates the living room. I had a few pictures I planned on posting here at Fireplace Decorating, but last time I was up there I dropped my digital camera in the stream at the back of the property trying to snap a photo of a three-point buck.

Oh well. I’ll try to take a couple more pics when I head up there next month to clean out the old firebox and scrub and paint the fireplace brick. In the meantime, I’ve posted a picture of a vaguely similar fireplace so you can get the basic idea. Mine’s not in as good a shape, of course – like I said, I didn’t win the lottery -- but that’s what the fireplace paint is for, right? When I get done, mine’s going to look even better.

Want a Whole Lotta Logs?

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything here at Fireplace Decorating. Over the past few months, while I’ve been off at trade shows and otherwise checking out the latest developments in fireplace technology, my pal Sam’s been stoking the hearth here at FD and I certainly do appreciate it. After all, somebody had to keep the home fires burning.

But now that the weather’s getting nippy again, I’m ready to stay put for a little while, which means sharing a few more anecdotes and fireplace tips with you while I enjoy the warm pleasures of the hearth as we enter the holiday season.

Speaking of the holidays, and speaking of my buddy Sam, a couple weeks ago he mentioned that the folks over at Brick-Anew are hosting a great fireplace makeover contest this month. As I understand it, they’re giving away $200 for the best testimonial and before-and-after pics sent in by November 25. Shoot, if I didn’t think they’d recognize my name, rank and serial number from the trade show circuit, I’d enter the contest myself. Two hundred big ones would keep me in firewood clear into New Year’s…

Get Your Brick Fireplace Ready For Turkey Day 2009

Hi Everyone - if the ugly brick on your fireplace is making nervous about this Thanksgiving checkout Brick-Anew.com. They are running a fireplace makeover contest where you can win $200.
Fireplace Brick Paint
Transform Your Fireplace Decor.
Eye Catching Tones and Colors.
Let us know if you update your fireplace for this Tday.

Checkout the contest page:
http://www.brick-anew.com/contest.html

Remodeling Makeover Challenge - 3 Rooms Under $1000?

Here's my challenge, I live in a traditional 40 year old house. You know one of those 5 - 4- door with old brick, ugly tile, and rooms that need a lift. Rooms to be refreshed: Living Room - Office - Bath. My goal is to have all 3 projects completed by Labor Day for under a $3000 or $1000 per room. Can it be done?

Follow my progress on all three projects. I would love comments and ideas as the project progresses. Check out the problem areas:


Living Room - Brick needs updating. Should I resurface, reface, paint? What about new fireplace doors, gas logs, flat screen tv?









Office - can you believe I stare at this wall all day while working? What about a fake fireplace, wall mount fireplace, flat screen tv/computer monitor?









Bath - Wow this tile is ugly, the wall paper is ugly. Do I have to rip it all out? What about refinishing the tile, replacing the tile, covering the tile. I'll need to look into all options.