Building With Style: Putting Fire in Its Place

For most of us, the appeal of a fireplace is deeply rooted. Invariably a symbol of welcome, it is a warm, safe place where you can curl up with a book, talk to friends over drinks, or ponder the big picture while watching the flames change shape. There are two basic aspects to fireplace design. One is the physical design of the fireplace: the materials, dimensions, and scale of the fireplace, hearth, mantel, chimney, and fireplace surround. This column, however, focuses on how it fits into a room, and how the furnishings around it are placed. It is easy to find a place for a fireplace in most plans, and it is not too hard to put