When the weather turns cold, and families gather to celebrate holidays, it seems like fireplaces are a natural draw. Their warmth and beauty makes us want to huddle ’round and enjoy the glow. Of course, there are many different styles of fireplaces, from small and intimate, to grand works of stone that tower above a great room. We’d love to share some of our favorites with you.
This first fireplace (above) is from a western style log home built in Montana. If you look closely, you’ll see that the fireplace tools are suspended from an antler to the right of the fireplace. That’s a fitting detail that matches well with the elk mounting above the fireplace. The masonry for this fireplace is also only built up to where the half log mantle is located. While some fireplaces have stonework that continues up to the ceiling, this limited use of the stone creates a more intimate look and feel to this log home great room, since the eye isn’t drawn up into the open cathedral space.
This stone fireplace has stone work that extends up beyond the mantel, but because it is not on the gable end of the room, it doesn’t extend to the fullest height of the ceiling. A small alcove to the right of the fireplace is perfect for storing wood where it is easily accessible, warm and dry. This mantle is also made from a rustic half log and has been decorated with greenery and stockings already for Santa to hurry down the chimney.
This log home great room has a lot of windows, which give the room an open and airy feeling. The cathedral ceilings also add to this feeling of openness. And the stone fireplace soars up into this open ceiling space providing a feeling of grandeur. While this look is beautiful, it is an awfully long descent for Santa.
Finally, lest you think that stone is the only thing to make a fireplace out of, here is a warm and inviting brick fireplace from a New England log home. A functional and fun mitten drying rack sits on the hearth to the left of the fireplace. A wood storage box has been built of wood and sits to the left of the hearth. Atop the wood storage cubby is a charming moose candle holder. This log home den would be an ideal place to cozy up to knit some gifts, or to sit and enjoy the company of family at Christmas time.
We hope you’ve enjoyed a few of our favorite log home fireplaces, be they tall or short, stone or brick. Because no matter the style of fireplace, or the size or material, the really important component to a cozy holiday is the joy felt from gathering with family and friends.
