The charm of resting around a hot fire in the fireplace on a chilly evening in winter is delightful. The roaring blaze helps take the chill out of the room while creating atmosphere. For many years, fireplaces have provided warmth and,for years before that, a place to cook as well. They have never lost their attraction and, in fact, have made considerable advances in popularity. In my lifetime, fireplaces have been jogging southward where winters are short and summers are long Though home heating technologies have (evolved over the years, fireplaces are still in vogue|Although the latest advances have been made in climate control for our homes, fireplaces continue to be in style.

With improvements in home heating the reason for fireplaces has clearly diverged. They are definitely not about simply heating your home. They are no longer used for preparing meals There has been no shortage of cook tops or ovens for years So why do we have this ever increasing affection for fireplaces? My guess is that fireplaces offer mood when they're ablaze. And when they are not, they maintain interest, a focal point and character to a room. Should I add "charm" as well? It would seem that fireplaces, and the mantels that surround them, have been, for some time, one of the distinctive architectural elements that add to the flavor of our homes much like embellished stairways, arched entry ways, or ornamental range hoods. These are good examples of a marriage between function and art.

"Wonderful marriage" has to be qualified because not all marriages of art and function are blessed marriages. I recently had the occasion to observe a home that was probably 80 percent done and saw some mighty awful unions. There was an island cabinet that had incredibly large and ornate brackets supporting the counter . The fireplace also had oversized stone columns supporting the mantel shelf. The most gracious thing that could be said is: "More is not necessarily better". Thankfully, there are many decent cases of form and function-just not in that home.

For many years millworks companies have become adept at building mantel shelves and surrounds. Necessity is the mother of invention. And since the "media" of cabinetmakers is wood, most mantels are fashioned from wood-which is OK with me since wood is my "media". Thick wooden slabs, under laid with crown mold supported by ornate brackets and fluted pilasters are a widespread style for many millworks suppliers. Hand carved mantels fashioned in foreign lands are not as common but are still to be had. The quality of these carved gems is unparalleled by the latest 21st century technological marvels. The small variations and minor defects are a signature that says "hand carved" and adds a special charm and unique quality. Mass production methodology will, never equal the skill of the masters. These artisans can undercut and form sharp interior cuts that are not possible with high tech machinery.

It is obvious that fireplaces and the mantels that frame them are here to stay. Like a marriage made in heaven, mantels and fireplaces have passed the test of time As long as there are homeowners and designers that can appreciate the charm and homey pleasure afforded by them, we should not expect their demise. More likely they will continue to grace the homes in the cold North as well as the hot and humid South.