A hearth is an important addition to any home. They are perfect for providing some comfort during cold winter days and nights but better than that, they are fun. A hearth gives off feelings of friendship and love along with their warmth. No one can deny how nice it is to gather with family or friends in front of a hearth sharing stories and laughter. When you think of a hearth, you may have pictures in your head images of the old built in type with a brick chimney up the side of the house. Today that is not the case, you can find fireplaces of all shapes and sizes that are portable and use a variety of fuel.

Overall most fireplaces are either gas or wood burning varieties although there are some that use electricity. A decorative fireplace mantel can be a fancy and ornate part of your living room or den. However, they can also be subtly functional pieces that hold the firebox. Choosing a great wood fireplace mantel will make your hearth a central piece and are very easy to put in. Conventional fireplaces, while attractive, are not the most energy efficient and if you are not knowledgeable about their proper use can actually pose both a health and physical hazard.

Optional “fireplaces” and heat sources

When electric fireplaces were first introduced in the 70′s and 80′s they were a cheap and tacky looking affair. With new technology has come the ability to create electric fireplaces that look so real it takes a close inspection to tell the difference. Of course, they will not have the same crackling, smoky ambiance of a conventional fireplace design but they are much more portable and efficient. The fact is many electric fireplaces generate enough heat to warm a 400 sq ft room. In addition, you have the choice of hundreds of styles, colors, and mantel types. There is a portable fireplace to fit any style or need.

One of the most widely used alternative fuels today is propane. Propane is a highly refined product that is left over from the processing of crude oil and natural gas. As fireplaces go, propane fueled one burns much hotter than any other type. Compared to a wood burning fireplace they have less pollutants as well. Next to gel or indoor electric fireplace, propane is a lot less expensive, however they emit more pollutants than these two do. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are common pollutants of a propane fireplace. If you like, the look of a traditional flame fireplace but not the health risks associated with wood or the cost of gel look no further than a propane fireplace.

Gel Fireplaces are different from electric fireplaces in that they actually start a real fire. The fuel required for these is a gel like substance that is odorless, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. These fireplaces all meet the EPA standards of cleanliness, without using wood or gas. One canister of gel is enough fuel to burn at 3,000 BTU’s for up to three hours, this is not as energy efficient as an electric fireplaces but they are nice for heating a localized small area Many gel fireplace owners simply burn two canisters at once, increasing the BTU emission and therefore promoting even more warmth over a larger area. This will increase the BTUs and allow you to heat a larger area. Even though they are less cost effective than electric fireplaces, they are perfect for the person who wants to keep the romantic quality that comes with a conventional type fireplace and all without any possible consequences of wood smoke.

Many people choose to decorate their fireplaces with decorative mantle clocks. Others have been even more creative by utilizing custom etching for their fireplace doors. Still others will hang beautiful art masterpieces above their mantle to tie into the theme of the room.

Whatever you choose, there are many options for fireplaces that will accent the beauty of your home. A hearth is not only a wonderful addition; it can actually increase the value of your home. With all the different kinds of fireplaces and mantels available, you will find one that meets all your needs perfectly. A fireplace is something you can enjoy for years to come.

It’s only natural for someone who loves horses to want to fill their homes with horse art of these incredible animals in the comfort of their homes. And artists have long fed that desire for first-class equine art in paintings, drawings, and sculpture.

Advances in technology, though, magnifies the horse lover’s possibilities for adding horses to their decor in unique and eye-catching ways. Fine horse design by artists such as Mary Singer, Derk Hansen, Randy McGovern, Rock Bakken, and David Boudin is being etched in wall mirrors, glass top coffee tables and end tables, and in etched wall mounted coat racks, featuring horse art in decor pieces that quickly emerge as a spectacular focal point in any horse-lover’s decor.

The know-how for this kind of etching was perfected in the early 1990s, making it feasible to recreate any two-dimensional image as a high definition etching in mirrors or glass. By determining the most important elements of an artwork or photo and etching just those elements on the glass, the rest of the mirror or glass remains in its native state. What remains then is a frosty etching on a sparkling mirror or on crystal clear glass. This technique provides far greater depth and shading for the etching than traditional etching techniques can accomplish.

Traditional etchings are done by sandblasting the areas to be etched. While this sandblasting technique is adequate for creating flat, silhouette-type etchings with minimal shading, it cannot parallel the nuances of an original artwork like high definition etching does. The natural qualities of mirrors make them a staple of decorating.

People generally take advantage of horse mirrors to add a sparkle to a room, multiplying the light and creating variances by the change in their reflections as you view them from different angles. And they add an illusion of added space, making a small room look larger. These natural qualities combined with a frosty etched image of fine equine art create an accent that provides people with a real conversation piece in decorating.

The array of artworks, sizes, and frame styles lends these mirrors to use either as standalone accents or in groupings. An octagonal mirror flanked by two ovals or a vertical oval flanked by two horizontal rectangular mirrors make a pleasing highlight to a wall, especially if placed where they reflect other unique items that set off the frosty etchings even more distinctly.

These equine etched mirrors also are frequently used in conjunction with other wall decor. A large mirror set between wall sconces or by two smaller paintings creates an attractive grouping. And the etched glass tops on coffee tables and end tables make overtables usually used as a platform for decorative displays into accent pieces that are themselves works of art in prominent places in the room. High definition chemical etching works well in a variety sizes and decor items.

Custom etched glass can adorn room dividers, cabinet doors, or other glass decor items to fit your unique design choices. Since this etching technique can be used with any picture, you can have a photo of your treasured horse or any other important life milestones reproduced as a one-of-a-kind etching. Whether you are looking to expand your hobby with horses into your home in a simple and inexpensive way, or create a one-of-a-kind keepsake, high definition etching offers unlimited possibilities for enhancing your home decorating ideas.

Wrought Iron Decor

The decor of a person’s home is something that is useful in determining what kind of human being they are, which is why we shamelessly notice the decorating style of most people when we visit their home. The manner in which we design our rooms can and does often indicate the things we like and dislike, and also gives a certain indication of our general character. For example, a practical person might show this part of their personality through the storage solutions found in the kitchen. Warm, natural tones in a room of a home – such as the lounge room, for example – likewise indicate that a hard worker resides there and wants to relax after a hard day.

Wrought Iron

In terms of a bedroom, if you decorate the place in wild reds and luxurious satin, this is a good indication of another type of personality entirely, though perhaps not one that that everyone will see. That is a very important tip to keep in mind – always plan a different type of decor for the private areas than you would areas that the public will see frequently. A family throwing a party, in all likelihood, will attempt to keep certain areas of the house off limits due to their private nature.

As bedrooms are seen only by a select few people, many people choose to go ahead and splurge on the decoration. Flooring is a popular part of any decor, and the type you choose will depend on how highly trafficked the area is. Floors, however, are not exempt from showing what type of personality an individual has, as the color and substance of the materials you choose can be excellent clues in what kind of personality you have. Busy traffic areas like the hallway or kitchen are great for hard wearing laminates, whereas a soft carpet material such as wool is better for the bedrooms.

Wrought Iron Decorating

Accessories are a very important part of decor, and they are wonderful ways to express your true personality. The right – or wrong- lighting in a home can make a huge difference in how the home is viewed by other people. Whether you are looking for more light that you actually need, or simply looking to light areas for aesthetic reasons, a spotlight is a great way to give your home the extra light it needs. You can use this in the decorating of the rest of your home as well.

To draw your guests’ attention to certain areas of the room, you can use spotlights and single light fittings. On the other hand, a more minimalist look would go for simplistic mood lighting. In short, how you use decor to improve, style and highlight your home reveals a lot more about your character than you might previously have thought possible.

Decorating common sense says that theatrical and kitschy themes are a major no-no. Typically, coordinating accessories and tight color palettes are banished to seasonal flings or children’s room. This long-standing rule of sophisticated decor is understandable. Gimmicks and flamboyant furnishings tend to make a room feel impersonal and uncomfortable. Though it is always a good idea to keep things bright and fun, taking it over the top will make your house seem more like an amusement park than a personal space.

Let’s tackle three popular room themes in order to identify how things can go right in the face of so much wrong:

1. Patriotic Paradise
Some people may save their flags and patriotic home decor for the 4th of July, but others choose to show off their national pride year-round. There is nothing wrong with dedicating a little bit of your home to your home country, but overkill can be ruin even the most sincere tribute.

The iconic red, white and blues of patriotic decor is often why these prideful designs become overwhelming. These colors look grand on Old Glory, but can quickly be overused. Try to heavily edit the use of the flag and national colors by carefully choosing patriotic wall decor. Don’t be tempted to buy every America-themed accessory you see. Choose pieces that fit the design undercurrent you’d like to establish with the theme (like shabby chic with antique or sleek modern with sparse pop art). Items that represent the armed forces or United States history can also recall Americana without overdoing it.

2. Under the Sea
Whether you’re a boater, fisherman (or woman) or just a lover of aquatic wildlife, chances are you’d like to inject some of your passion in your interior design. Aquarium and ocean themes are usually reserved for bathrooms, but they can be implemented tastefully in any room. Blue paint and fabrics, pictures of beach scenes, and live fish can transform the space into a soothing reminder of your time in the water.

Your personality will keep your marine fantasy from becoming just another fish-themed room. Choose coordinating items that fit into your idea of what the look should be. Personally, I think a Japanese-inspired water theme could yield a tranquil yet bold space. Identify a simple, but strong point of view in order to put your own spin on things.

3. Jungle Love
Animal prints and rough materials have long been acceptable tools in the arsenal of interior decorators. These touches can do wonders for rooms that need a taste of the exotic, but too often, they are used to fashion rooms that look like recreations of Tarzan movie sets.

If you find yourself yearning for a jungle hideaway in your home, stay away from the safari clichés. The room should feel rich and moody. Keep the lighting dramatic. Use layers of fabric and sweeping lines to create the feeling of being surrounded by trees. Though it may be tempting to implement foliage, remember that plastic plants usually make things feel unauthentic. Of course, you can always lighten things up for a wild nursery .