Creating a focal point in a room is an integral element of interior design. It helps organize a space, drawing the eye to an intended spot that sometimes is enhanced by lighting.
A fireplace needs no such announcement. The hearth long has been a natural magnet, a symbol of physical and psychological warmth.
Half of the households in the United States have at least one fireplace or free-standing stove, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, a trade organization based in Arlington, Va. And fireplaces rank among the top three features desired by new-home buyers, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
The average cost of installation of a wood-burning or gas fireplace is between $3,000 and $4,500, according to the HPBA. Choice of materials for mantel and surround, of course, can boost this figure.
No matter what the style, it’s the cozy sensation of gathering around the hearth that makes fireplaces so desirable. That almost mesmerizing flickering of flames warms body and spirit, an old-fashioned and romantic feeling in a high-tech world.
