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Gas or Wood Burning? How to Choose the Right Fireplace for You

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It's hard to argue against adding a fireplace to your dream home. They provide a place for your family and friends to gather, and the flickering flames are captivating, allowing us to sit, relax, and enjoy the moment. Fireplaces can also be an economical way to heat your home as many of the best ones will have air tight doors or are sealed with glass for maximum efficiency.  So, you’ve decided that your home needs a fireplace, but the second decision is whether to go with a wood burning fireplace or a gas fireplace. You really can’t go wrong with either choice as they both carry unique pros and cons. Even so, if you’re torn between the two different styles, here are a few things to consider to help you make your decision.  What Designs Do You Like? Because you’ll look at or use your fireplace regularly, you should make sure that you’re getting a fireplace that is appealing to you and complements your home’s interior design. Many people enjoy the tradit...

Tips for Choosing the Right Firewood for Your Needs

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People choose a wood burning fireplace for many different reasons. Whether they want to heat their home with it, cook over it, or just want the simple pleasure of sitting and listening to the wood pop and crackle, a wood burning fireplace can do it all. The thing is, not all wood will produce the same results with some types better for certain situations.  So, if you know what you enjoy most out of a fire and want to make sure you’re getting a consistent experience every time, here are the woods to look for.  For Warmth If you want to maximize the heat your fireplace puts out, then using the right wood is a must. Specifically, you should choose a seasoned hardwood like Ash, Hickory, or Oak. Hardwood is best for fires you want to last for hours because they take longer to burn and put off almost twice as much heat when compared to softwood. When you’re trying to heat your home or even just keep a part of the house warm without relying on an expensive ...

How a Fireplace Pleases All Five of Your Senses

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As some of the most sought-after amenities in a dream home, fireplaces serve as the gathering point and focal point of any room. Have you ever considered how fireplaces naturally please all five of your senses? Understanding how the different senses interact with a fireplace can provide insight into why they’ve been so popular for centuries and why you should consider it essential for your dream home.  The Feeling of Radiant Warmth Undoubtedly one of the greatest benefits of a fireplace is the cozy heat that it provides. The discovery of fire changed the course of human history, and to this day, many people around the world depend on it to heat their homes. Beyond the practical need for warmth, the radiant heat of the fire can provide a calming and soothing sensation even on the coldest days. Also, with modern innovations, you can heat more than just one room with a fireplace, with the best fireplaces working in conjunction with the home's vent system.  T...

How a Fireplace Can Add Value to a Home

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If you ask anyone what they’d like to have in their dream home, undoubtedly next to granite countertops, walk-in closets, and a home theater, a premium fireplace is probably high on their list. Fireplaces have been staples in home design for centuries, first as a means of heating the home and more recently as an aesthetic choice too.  Can a fireplace really increase the value of a home? Well, if you ask home buyers as this survey did, they’ll tell you that fireplaces are a sought-after feature for them, with 40% of respondents saying they’d pay extra. In addition, when asked the same question, 70% of realtors stated that they see a price increase for homes with a gas or wood burning fireplace . Why is this? Here are a few ways fireplaces can increase a home’s economic, design, energy, and personal value.  Economic Value As with other features of a home like countertop materials, room size, and more, fireplaces, especially those with a striking modern desig...

The Benefits of a Custom Fireplace for Interior Design

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Fireplaces have always been a gathering spot in a home. Some provide warmth throughout the home while others simply provide a beautiful aesthetic. Aside from the practical benefits, fireplaces can do wonders to bring a room together. And, in addition to their cozy nature and aesthetic, a quality fireplace hits all of the check boxes interior designers look for.  Strike a Balance In interior design, there are three types of balance. The first, formal balance, is when a space is split evenly between two sides almost like a mirror. The second form of balance is informal, where the visual weight of colors, lines, structures, and forms come together to work as one. The final form of balance, radial, is achieved when there is one focal point in the room with complementary elements radiating from it. Interior designers can use fireplaces to achieve all three of these balances with the right placement of other items in the room, along with the color selection. With a v...

Things to Consider When Shopping for a Fireplace

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Fireplaces are often the focal point of any home, where guests naturally gather. Aside from being a centerpiece of your home, your fireplace can provide as a great source of heat, and with the right configuration, you can use it to warm the entire home, which you may need if the power goes out. Even so, not all fireplaces are created equal, so as you shop around for fireplace manufacturers to bring your vision to life, here are a few things to keep in mind.  Style First, you should consider the style of the fireplace. The best fireplace manufacturers will offer fireplaces in various configurations with enticing materials and premium touches. With nearly limitless options available, you’ll want to determine what fits your aesthetic the best, and what you’d like to get out of your fire feature. For example, if you’re looking for a way to connect your indoor space with the patio, a see through fireplace could be the perfect option. Or if you want a more traditiona...

How Adding a Fireplace Can Do Wonders for Your Business

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Fireplaces have long been a staple in residential homes because of the aesthetic and practical benefits that they provide. Especially in northern parts of the country where the winter months can be incredibly harsh, fireplaces in a home can be just as common as a garage or as a swimming pool in warmer climates. Commercial spaces and businesses can also benefit from having a custom-made fireplace in their space in more ways than one. From cost-savings to new opportunities to engage with customers, here are some of the top reasons you should consider adding a fireplace or fire feature to your commercial space. It Draws Attention For one, the fire has long been the natural gathering point for people for thousands of years. It's where our ancient ancestors gathered for warmth and to prepare a meal. Now, a fireplace is a place to get warm during colder winter months, and research shows that people are naturally drawn to it. With a wood burning fireplace in your b...

The Benefits of Adding a Custom Fireplace to Your Home

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Fireplaces have been around for centuries and fires have been a natural gathering point for even longer. Adding a gas or wood burning fireplace to your home provides a variety of different benefits, but choosing a custom-made fireplace can offer even more. Here are a few reasons that you should consider adding a custom fire feature to your home. It Creates Warmth No matter the type of fireplace that you choose to add to your home, it will add warmth to your space, particularly during the colder months. Fireplaces offer an especially cozy form of heat, and there isn’t an experience quite like enjoying the warmth of a fire with family and friends. A fireplace is not only cozy, but it’s also efficient and practical. You can integrate a wood burning fireplace into your existing heating system as a supplemental heating source to help warm your home. This can save you tremendously in heating costs over the long run depending on the size and layout of your residence. ...

Enjoy Your Outdoor Space Even During Winter

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As the days grow shorter, the nights grow longer, and the temperature continues to drop, you’re likely hunkering down inside to enjoy your fireplace. But what if there was a way to enjoy your outdoor space, even during the winter? With an outdoor gas fire pit , you can relax and stay warm on your patio year-round. You might enjoy it so much that it could serve as a focal point at your next holiday party. To make sure you’re 100% pleased with your outdoor space, seek out a business with experience in helping people design custom fire features for their unique spaces. You’ll want to make sure you can also choose from a variety of customizable fire pit models that come in linear, circular, or arc-shaped designs to perfectly match your existing outdoor space. Look for the option to design an outdoor gas fire pit that is made with 100% stainless steel components so you’ll know its built to last. You’ll also want the freedom to select your desired size and configuration....

Hanging Your Christmas Stockings with Care

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With the holiday season in full swing, you’re bound to see downtown streets adorned with twinkling lights, houses bejeweled with festive decorations, and an omnipresent jingle of Christmas carols. Whether you’re one of those Christmas enthusiasts who goes all out for the holidays (think: a Taylor Swift-inspired light show and over-the-top inflatable Christmas displays) or you prefer a more subdued celebration, we can all agree on some Christmas decorating basics. A few nice candles, perhaps an evergreen wreath, and of course, Christmas stockings hung by the chimney with care all capture the sentiments of the holidays in a cozy, welcoming fashion. And after all, you’ll want your fireplace looking festive and cozy for when Santa Claus comes down for a visit. A fireplace mantle is a traditional focal point for displaying Christmas décor, including garlands, holly, pictures, Christmas cards, and of course, stockings. These days, a see through fireplace can play that sa...

The Energy and Economic Benefits of Wood-Burning Fireplaces

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While in the past wood-burning fireplaces may have gotten a bad rap, today’s wood-burning fireplaces area marked improvement and offer a range of economic and environmental benefits while creating a cozy ambiance for you and your family. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, many modern-day wood-burning appliances burn more efficiently, saving you money while also improving indoor and outdoor air quality. Newer models are known to: · Burn up to 50% more efficiently than older models, which can save you money on your energy bill. · Use a third less wood fuel while producing the same amount of heat. · Reduce creosote build-up (oil distilled from coal tar that is often used as a wood preservative), which can reduce the risk of chimney fires. · Lower the levels of carbon dioxide, methane, and other sources of particle pollution both inside and outside your house. While increased efficiencies, improved air quality, and superior heating are all positive ...

Time-Saving Decoration Ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas

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No matter how well you plan, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas always seem to fly by. Between traveling, shopping, holiday parties, school and work events, and the holidays themselves, sometimes decorating can fall to the wayside. It’s easy to dismiss holiday decorations as superfluous, especially when you’re short on time. However, there are some valuable, albeit intangible, benefits associated with what experts call a “designed environment.”   For example, researchers postulate that people can generate and associate meaning when they experience a designed space like a Christmas tree or festive room, and this cognitive association can help develop positive relationships with others that also experience that space. Designed environments can also facilitate shared experiences, including serving as a backdrop for activities, conversations, and gatherings. Researchers have tested these hypotheses too. In one case, families that routinely visited a...

Fireplaces are a Hot Commodity for Potential Buyers

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Whether you’re renovating your forever home or you’re brainstorming ways to make your house more marketable to potential buyers, you have a plethora of design options at your disposal. Do you focus on curb appeal? Should you update the kitchen or maybe invest in newer appliances? To help guide your decision, consider that fireplaces are routinely on potential buyers’ lists of “must haves,” making fireplaces a hot commodity for homeowners and home buyers alike. Additionally, according to U.S. News and World Report , approximately 68% of surveyed real estate agents say that a fireplace is a sure way to increase a home’s value. Fireplaces are one of the most attractive features of a home, regardless of whether you’re buying or selling. If you think you or potential buyers might enjoy a new fireplace but you’re torn on which kind to get, consider working with an experienced designer and manufacturer of fire features to determine what kind will best fit and add value...

Hail Game Day with a Divine Outdoor Gas Fire Pit

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That soft change from summer to fall offers a welcome reprieve from the summer heat, replacing that sticky air with cool mornings and vibrant foliage. For many though, fall is also a time of reverence where thousands of faithful followers congregate in holy devotion to college football. If college football is followed like a religion in your household, then Saturday is a High Holy Day. Imagine an outdoor space customized flawlessly for college game day, replete with an outdoor TV, your favorite game day chair, and an outdoor gas fire pit to keep your guests warm when the afternoon temperature starts to dip. An outdoor fireplace can transform your back patio into a game day haven that rivals any sports bar or tailgate party. Look for a fireplace company that connects you directly with a professional designer to create a customized residential outdoor gas fire pit that perfectly fits your outside space. You’ll also want the ability to select your control preferences ...

Upgrade Your Backyard Patio for Cooler Months

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As summer transitions into autumn, the leaves start to fall and the weather gets chillier. But that doesn’t mean the party has to move indoors until spring. Upgrade your backyard patio with some of these luxurious features to entertain outdoors well into the fall months. Most of these additions work well for year-round outdoor entertainment, too, making them well worth the investment.     Outdoor Gas Fire Pit S’mores aren’t just for summer months anymore. An outdoor gas fire pit will keep your gatherings warm during cooler months and provide the perfect setting for beautiful, chilly nights any time of the year. Choose a model that fits with your patio aesthetic, whether that’s a circular fire table or an arc-shaped design. Provide seating around the gas fire pit that makes it easy to relax and have a conversation while enjoying the warmth. Tartan Blankets + Canvas Pillows Keep a basket of cozy, flannel blankets in a convenient spot on your patio to ...

Get Hygge in Your Home with These Cozy Home Design Features

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If you haven’t heard of this home design trend that’s been taking the world to a cozier place, it’s time to experience the Danish lifestyle in your own home. Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) roughly translates to creating a cozy and joyful space for you, family, and friends. It doesn’t rely on a specific season or aesthetic but definitely comes in handy during chilly months and homey holidays. Experience hygge in your home by upgrading your common area spaces and personal sanctuaries with these soul-warming, luxurious features. Pops of Color The Danish home decor style traditionally, and contemporarily, relies on chic neutral colors. Add touches of green, pinks, and blues to accent the earthy tones that are your home decor basis. These can help make the gray weather outside less dull and create a cozier space without needing to overall your home design theme. Accent colors work best with blankets, pillows, vases, coffee table decor, smaller wall hangings, hol...

3 Splurge-Worthy Musts for Your Next Home Remodel

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When dreaming of your home remodel, it can be all too easy to fantasize about every luxury imaginable. However, splurging on every item would quickly demolish your budget. Instead, focus on investments that will stand the test of time and receive the most use in your new space. Modern See Through Fireplace Layer warmth and ambiance into your updated space with a modern fireplace feature. A see through fireplace will connect two rooms together while creating a gorgeous focal point in each. Perfect for sipping your coffee next to on frosty winter mornings, lounging near on a lazy Sunday, or creating a conversation at your latest dinner party, a see through fireplace will enhance your home for years to come. For the ultimate in luxury, consider a see through fireplace that connects the indoor space with the outdoor space that you can enjoy year-round. Radiant Heat Flooring  Create a spa-like experience that you can enjoy every day by splurging on radiant hea...

Create an Outdoor Oasis with the Outdoor Kitchen of Your Dreams

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There are few things better than dining under the stars, or your friends and family creating memories together. Encourage that atmosphere year-round with an outdoor kitchen and living area. It’s easy to turn your outdoor space into a second living room with luxury features that you’ll want to use daily.  Comfy Seating Indulge in ultra-comfy sofas and lounge chairs that offer deep seating and encourage all day lounging. Invest in thick cushions and a sturdy base that will last for years. Just like you would in your living room, create conversation groupings within your outdoor space to encourage the flow of conversation. Outdoor Gas Fire Pit  Enhance the ambiance of your outdoor space with a chic outdoor gas fire pit . Including a fire pit in your outdoor living space will extend the party into the wee hours of the night. It will also add warmth, making your space usable for longer so you can enjoy those crisp fall days. Choose one that reinforces your...