Arrangement Of Furniture About The Fireplace

Much can be accomplished in the way of extending this feeling of hospitality which every open fire gives, by the arrangement of the furniture about the chimney piece. If the room is small, the light of the fire should be placed with regard to the center of interest and the space directly before the fire should be kept open so that a person sitting in any part of the room might be able to watch the burning embers. When the room containing the fireplace is quite large, however, there should be an entirely different arrangement of furniture. An inclosed area should be formed in front of the fireplace by placing several pieces of furniture of the invitingly comfortable kind before it. A large davenport may be placed in front of the fire with a heavy chair at either side, or a reading table with chairs may serve the same purpose. The fireplaces of long ago usually had two heavy settles built at right angles to the fireplace, one on either side. This was doubtless done to shut out the cold air of the room and keep in the needed warmth, but at the same time the arrangement gave a delightful sense of privacy and coziness. For this reason settles are sometimes built in houses of to-day, or, instead, two long inviting seats are often drawn up on either side of the open fire, close to the radiating warmth and cheer.

Book Shelves

Book shelves built into the architectural structure about the fireplace add much to the beauty, for the woodwork, if wisely used, will carry out the general scheme of the room, and the bindings of the books give an interesting note of color. It will be found that companionable books will have a double lure when they are placed within such a sheltered nook.

Materials

There are almost as many materials of which it is possible to build the modern fireplace as there are styles from which to choose the design of its construction. The style and material of the house itself is of first consideration, for the fireplace must of course be in keeping as a part of the architectural whole. The local environment usually helps to decide the choice of material. In some parts of the country stone blocks and cobblestones are readily accessible at small expense. In other parts of the country, brick of different types may be very well used, and the result is often a fireplace of permanent charm. Concrete is often effective, and tiles will be found to be both practical and artistic, for they can be had in many soft colors, and are suitable for the hearth or chimney breast or both. Some mantels are made of paneled wood and are very dignified reproductions of those of the early days.

Simplicity

Whatever the material used, the greatest simplicity of construction should always be followed. There should be an entire absence of elaboration of detailed ornament and a predominating quality of that sincerity which is essential to the true home spirit. Fine structural lines combined with the gay reflections in the brass andirons and the ever changing firelight itself will create a place of peace and contentment which will not fail to prove a gathering place for the family group and for those outsiders who have a share of the household hospitality.

References

French, Lillie Hamilton The House Dignified. G. P. Putnam's Sons, The Knickerbocker Press, New York, 1908. Fireplaces, Chapter IX (Furniture Woods). Northend, Mary H. Colonial Homes and Their Furnishings. Little, Brown & Company, Boston, 1912. Mantelpieces, Chapter VI (A Brief History Of Furniture). Polley, G. Henry The Architecture, Interiors and Furniture of American Colonies. George H. Polley & Co., Boston, 1914. Mantels, Plates 3, 5, 7, 13, 20, 21, 22. Rumford Fireplaces and How They are Made. William T. Comstode, New York, 1906. Construction, Chapter I (Walls And Ceilings).