Sitting around the fireplace on a cold wintry night is purely wonderful. The roaring blaze helps take the chill out of the air while creating a special atmosphere. For centruries, fireplaces have served to provide warmth and,for years before that, a place to cook as well. Fireplaces have never lost their attraction and, in fact, have made considerable gains. During my five decades, 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 advances have been made in climate control for our homes, fireplaces continue to be in fashion.

I suspect you"ll concur that with the developments in central heating and air, 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 There has been no shortage of cook tops or ovens for years So why this ever growing fondness for fireplaces? My guess is that fireplaces impart that special ambience when they're ablaze. And when they are not, they continue to add interest, a focal point and character to a room as well as charm. It would seem that fireplaces, and the mantels that surround them, have been one of the discrete architectural elements that enhance the flavor of our homes like embellished stairways, arched entry ways, or decorative range hoods. In these examples, there is a wonderful marriage of function and art.

"Wonderful marriage" has to be qualified because not all marriages of art and function are wonderful marriages. I lately had the occasion to observe a home that was probably 80 percent finished and witnessed some really ugly unions. There was an island cabinet that had incredibly large and ornate corbels supporting the counter top. The fireplace also had magnanimous stone columns undergirding the mantel counter. The most gracious thing that could be said is: "Bigger is not necessarily better". Thankfully, there are lots of beautiful cases of form and function-just not in that home.

For many years millworks companies have specialized in mantel shelves and surrounds. Necessity is the mother of invention. And since the "media" of cabinetmakers is wood, most mantels are made of wood-which is fine by me since wood is my "media". Thick wooden slabs, under laid with crown mold supported by ornate corbels and fluted legs are a familiar style for many mantel builders. Hand carved mantels crafted in other parts of the world are not as widesread but are still accessible. The beauty of these carved showpieces is unequaled by the latest twenty firstcentury technological genius. The slight nuance and minor imperfections are a peculiarity that says "hand carved" and ehances the charm and unique character. Mass production methodology will, never attain to the skill of the masters. These artisans can undercut and form sharp interior cuts that are not possible with modern machinery.

It is obvious that fireplaces and the mantels that frame them are here to stay. This is a marriage that has 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.