Temperatures dipped well below zero last weekend, so I found myself spending A LOT of time sitting in front of my fire. So much so, that I have become a fire stoking master!! There's something so relaxing and toasty about sitting in front of a crackling fire. I love the way it sounds, the way it glows, the smell and the overall feeling it gives you. Which got me thinking about fireplace designs I love.
A fireplace is often the focal point in the room. So why is it that oftentimes they are boring and drab? Builders give you the standard mantel and surround, but shouldn't there be something more? The belle of the ball wouldn't wear a standard dress, would she? Does this look somewhat familiar?
Wouldn't you much rather something like this?
There are a million easy and inexpensive ways to update your fireplace and give it the attention it deserves. I love to draw the eye from the floor to ceiling with some interesting stone or wood treatment. It really packs a punch and makes your fireplace stand out from everyone else's in the neighborhood.
No matter what your style is, there is certainly an updated fireplace look that will suit you well and will definitely make your home more "you-nique"!
For many, the question is, where does the TV go if the fireplace is the focal point in the room? In recent years, the trend has been to place the TV above the fireplace. This certainly can work, but if you have the room, I actually prefer to place the TV beside your fireplace.
It may never have occurred to you to place your TV next to your fireplace, but if you have the room for it, I highly recommend that you give it a try! As a general rule, you want to place your TV 3-4 feet from the floor. Your viewer should not have to look up more than a 15 degree angle.
Not sure how far back your seating should be? Here's a general calculation from
; divide the size of your screen by .84 (screen size is measured diagonally). For example, a 65-inch TV divided by .84 equals a 77-inch viewing distance (6.5 feet). The farther back you sit the easier it is, but most people don't have the luxury of sitting 10 feet back.
Luckily, some of the newer screens have a greater viewing angle making it easier to see if you are looking up. A tilt bracket can also help.
Of course, some of us don't have a fireplace in all of the rooms we wish we did. Well, thanks to our friends at
you can add an energy efficient, clean burning bioethanol fireplace to just about any space. One of my favorite spaces we've designed is this master bedroom and bathroom renovation where we added a two-sided Ecosmart fireplace. No matter how you choose to enjoy the fire, either soaking a in a luxurious bath or curled up on your king size bed, you will surely enjoy the warmth and ambiance of the fire.
I also love the look of built-ins. Believe it or not, they can make a room look bigger than it is! The proof is in the picture! Just look at this before and after from
The possibilities are, of course, endless. You can check out our Pinterest board, Fireplace Makeover, for inspiration, or just contact us to explore the possibilities together!
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.