FOCAL POINT STYLING: Traditional

As bitter cold as this winter has been, many people are once again turning to their fireplace to create winter warmth. A fireplace is not only a decorative fixture to create seasonal displays on, but it is also a functional form. Many design their room layout around the fireplace, mostly to enjoy the warm glow and atmosphere, plus it is the natural focal point of a room. A more traditional style home may have a fireplace centered in a wall, built with and surrounded by brick or covered in stone, and perhaps flanked with built-in bookcases (or half cases if there are windows). However, in some modern architectural designs, a fireplace can actually act as a room divider and circulate heat plus ambiance between two spaces - for example between a living room and dining area. Even a mid-century modern home or loft space may have a floating metal fireplace. Whichever style you currently live with, you may be interested in redesigning its look - especially if you've recently purchased a fix-up home. Keep in mind: although the fireplace may be the focal point of the room, the TV need not be. Here are twenty inspirational fireplace design ideas - from modern to transitional style - to help you create winter warmth with style...

Modern Fireplace Design Ideas

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Transitional Fireplace Design Ideas

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Along with a fireplace form and function, maintenance and safety are most important, particularly the chimney, from the flue to the damper to the firebox to the hearth (see Anatomy of a Chimney). For information on Fireplace Safety, see these articles:

7 Safety Tips for Fireplaces

Tips for Wood Burning Fireplaces

Fireplace Maintenance and Safety

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When I began writing this post, I had intended to end it with a feature and link to Sweet Something Designs, an excellent source of seasonal mantel styling... But when I went to visit my fellow blogger friend, I learned she had lost her battle - with cancer... So I'd like to dedicate this post (although not necessarily her style) to Michelle Edwards, who could create one heck of a tastefully done, seasonally styled mantelscape... I will pull together a few of my favorites, and share in a future post... Right now I just need to embrace the moment of the loss of a wonderful person and talent, who once again is gone too soon...
Prayers for healing to The Edwards Family...

I hope you found inspiration for your fireplaces design ideas and stay warm during this years bitter winter cold...

Thank you for stopping by...

Twice a year, the furniture and interior design industries gather in High Point, North Carolina for the largest industry event: High Point Market. While many vendors exhibit the latest trends in home decor and furnishings, there are also many who exhibit classic style furnishings renewed with updated finishes for traditional lifestyles. Although the Lisa Kahn Collection at Chelsea House was a favored showroom at High Point, some other showrooms who also featured timeless classics were Stanford Home, Currey & Co. Lighting, Baker, Bernhardt, Hooker, Taylor King and Century Furniture, along with custom cabinetry work at Habersham Home. Read about these more traditional style trends in interior design at my guest blog post today on Hadley Court - Classic Styling at High Point Market Fall

Traditional Style Interior Design Top Picks from Leslie Wood of Hadley Court...

From Traditional to Modern, upholstered details made a strong statement at High Point Market this Fall...

One of the most sought after showrooms with a stunning merge of traditional style and fresh modern finishes was the Lisa Kahn Collection at Chelsea House...

For additional High Point Market trends, as seen by the Style Spotters and shared on social networks, please visit my board on Pinterest:

High Point Market Fall 2013.