Fireplaces
Go coastal with driftwood and rocks. Interior designer Bruce Palmer designed this beachy driftwood and stone fireplace. "I found the pieces of driftwood on a beach trip. The house has tons of natural elements and twigs incorporated into the design, so I wanted to continue with that motif," he says. "I went to a rock quarry to pick out the pebbles, stones and the large round rock," he adds. "Then I met with the craftsman who did the ironwork. I told him I wanted it to look like the branches of a tree were holding the driftwood in place. This was a fun one!"
Here's a solution for that entire cord. This simple shed offers protection overhead, and its metal siding helps protect the wood fence and house siding from any damage.
What: The built-ins here did not need to store anything out in the open except for the TV and the subwoofers. But they did need to hold an extensive DVD collection and miscellaneous storage. A little extra seating in the room was desirable as well. How: You're just not going to believe how much hidden storage there is in the built-ins around this fireplace. Of course, you can see the fitted alcove for the TV above the fireplace. You can also see that the subwoofers have their own spots near the floor on both sides. You may be thinking that the cabinets on either side are probably just shallow shelves for the DVDs, right?
Wrong! These cabinets hold great slide-out units that allow full use of the depth without the need to rummage blindly for things in the back of the cabinet. Notice that the depth of this area around the fireplace also accommodates built-in seats with storage underneath to the side of the cabinets. You may be thinking that's all you could possibly fit in the space...
...but you would be wrong again. This is pretty slick. The entire TV alcove is hinged to swing open to reveal another spacious storage area behind. Style: The light, natural wood used for the built-ins complements the pale stone and the modern look of the horizontal fireplace. Keeping all of the DVDs hidden creates a minimal look suitable for this room's contemporary style.
What: Think outside the box with your built-ins. Storage and display aren't the only things that you might want to have around your fireplace. This person needed a place to work. How: You don't often see a desk as part of a built-in around a fireplace, but this one is beautiful. Think how nice it would be to sit beside the fire while you work! Drawers, cabinets, counter space and open shelving handle the storage of additional office supplies, TV components and display objects. Style: The rich cherry tones of the cabinetry provide real warmth in this room. An attractive desk chair carries the look through.
What: If storage or display isn't useful to you, how about some extra seating? And again, don't forget the wood for your wood-burning fireplace. How: Instead of using wood for the seats, the same stucco as the fireplace surround was continued to create benches with angled backs, and custom cushions were made for the top. Wood for burning is nestled below the fireplace. Can't get anymore convenient than that! Style: Using stucco for the benches was a great choice to create a seamless look with the style of the fireplace surround.
What: Art, TV, components, books, books and more books. How: This a great arrangement of open shelving, niches, mantel and cabinets. But more important is the great use of lighting! Remember to include lighting when planning your built-ins. Just about everything looks better with light on it. Lighting is great for shelves that will display art objects, but don't stop there. The shelves on either side of this fireplace hold mostly books, but the whole effect is much more attractive than unlit bookshelves. Remember that when a cheerful fire is blazing away, the surrounding area feels darker by comparison. Adding light helps the surrounding objects stand out even when the fire is going. Style: Wrapping the built-ins around a corner to cover two walls allows the TV and fireplace to share the focal point without having to be above and below each other. The light wood of the cabinetry and shelves echos the color of the hardwood floors, while the white molding complements the home's architecture.
What: This bedroom needed a beautiful focal point, room for a little photo display and space for a TV. How: The material of the fireplace surround is expanded far enough to allow for a niche for the TV. Recesses for the photos cut into the surround and extend past it into the wall. The long, horizontal niches built into this fireplace surround include lighting all along them to highlight the display items inside. Recessed spaces are very hard to illuminate well with spots from the ceiling because they cast shadows. A good plan for lighting assures that your display items will be seen and also adds an element of accent lighting to the room. Style: This asymmetrical design gives the space a distinctly contemporary look. The lighted niches visually balance the fireplace when lit. Large-format metallic tile is a great choice of material for the contemporary style.
Won't the TV be at a bad angle if it is to the side of the fireplace? Not if you can angle it toward the viewers. The TV cabinet to the left of the fireplace gives more of a straight-on view.
mantle..........TV above
Here, a wood pallet wall adds warmth to Preston's light-filled living room. "Our coffee table will be in about 20 retail locations by next year," he says. The rustic-industrial piece came together when Barry, a craftsman, revealed his welding skills to Preston.
Like thousands of people across the country, craftspeople were hit hard by the flailing real estate market, which crashed in 2007. Stripped of their carpentry and construction jobs, many found themselves unemployed and homeless. But "they're some of the hardest-working craftsmen I've ever worked with," Preston says. Houzz Nov. 14, 2012
Fieldstone. This rustic family room includes a fireplace made from stones that look and feel as if they were found in an adjacent field. The wood mantel and a raised hearth beg for family gatherings. Design tip: Faux fieldstone is now available for those who are looking for a more budget-friendly alternative to this look.
Houzz, Nov. 18, 2012
This modern eclectic room gets its earthy-chic vibe from the driftwood mantel and all that white.
not necessarily outdoors, just as a room divider
Over in the living room, Lindsey praises an oversize Restoration Hardware couch providing a neutral backdrop for the couple's collection of African throw pillows and artifacts. "I couldn't live without this couch," she says. "It's the most comfortable place in the house." With the extended size of the sofa, the couple nixed a coffee table, which would have presented a hazard for their toddler anyway.
put TV on other side of room, opposite fireplace
chimney
2. Allison Maroules of Richardson, Texas, loves all of her house's quirky details, but the fireplace is her favorite. "In how many homes do you see a curved fireplace?" she asks.
the dishes used around the fireplace
there is a pizza oven in this arrangement
wolf induction cooktop over wolf oven
corner fireplace
angled island shaped to follow angled counters
Windows on both sides .... fits floor plan
Q