Sitting around a fire and staring at the flames is the ultimate in relaxation, and these days, with the slew of architecturally and technologically interesting products on the market, it’s also the ultimate style statement. Here’s what’s trending.
Double duty Multi-purpose fireplaces like Paramount’s Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace, which acts as both a heat source and an eye-catching focal point, are the most popular type of fireplace today. At The Home Depot
Ultra-Modern Frameless Fires The latest in fireplace design allows for flickering flames to be the uninterrupted centrepiece of the room. The Regency City Series San Francisco Bay 40, which comes in a range of finishes, including wood, wallpaper, fabric, glass or textured panels, offers a “frameless fire option”, by using an invisible glass safety barrier. At Regency Fireplace Products, regency-fire.com
Outside the Box Styles “Vertical shapes as well as peninsulas or three-sided pieces is really the way fireplaces are going,” says Martes Farrugia of Maxwell Fireplaces in North Vancouver. Stuv's B-60 Fireplace features three trends that are especially hot at the moment: clean lines, dividing spaces and a special tall flame. At Fireplace by Maxwell. Image supplied by Bellfires & Fireplace by Maxwell.
“Cool Wall” Technology Today, many manufacturers are using chambers or ducts inside chambers to move heat from a fireplace up and out of the ceiling, says Martes. This helps keep the wall above the fireplace cool, in turn protecting adjacent items such as flat-screen TVs, pieces of art or marble finishes. Brands such as Valor are exploring this with their Heat Shift technology which can be installed behind a valance with such products as the L2 Linear Fireplace. At Valor Fireplaces, valorfireplaces.com
Mini Fireplaces Perfect for apartment dwellers, and those who appreciate great design, the Charlotte Media Unit by Dimplex is a premium electric fireplace and media console in one. Offering heat and storage, it is preassembled, and can be set up within minutes of arriving out of the elevator. At Fireplaces Unlimited, fireplacesunlimited.ca and dimplex.com
Fireplace Bling Pebbles, rocks, driftwood, crystals or a newer-style smooth glass, which can give a very warm but modern “city” look, can add interest and beauty to a fireplace. A popular trend in driftwood fireplace “kit” is to get driftwood ceramic logs inspired by what our local beach wood looks like, says Martes.
