Introducing a Safer Alternative to Traditional Fireplaces!

For years, we have worked alongside architects, interior designers and commercial planners to develop products that bring their fireplace ideas to life. Now, we are proud to announce that we have outdone ourselves with a completely safe alternative to traditional fireplaces: Vapor Fire, an installation that enables commercial facilities to enjoy the benefits of a fireplace feature safely and without venting requirements.

Vapor Fire utilizes a steam vapor mist and LED lighting, which creates an authentic fireplace effect that looks exactly like a real fire. This is a great solution for many types of commercial applications, including hospitality establishments, restaurants and shopping malls. For businesses like these, traditional fireplaces always pose a safety concern – but because Vapor Fire uses LED lighting and water, it is impossible for it to cause burns. The lighting is concealed with a panel on the top, and no one can touch the bulbs. This makes it the safest possible alternative to a traditional fireplace.

Vapor Fire is also very convenient, because businesses can place the Vapor Fire in a lobby or other space without the restrictions of venting requirements. The staff can fill the water tank when needed, but with a 14 hour burn time, it’s easy to control how often re-filling will be needed. Even hotel guest rooms can feature Vapor Fire, and customers can simply click on the fireplace with a remote control. It’s the easiest way for hotels to have in-room fireplaces.

If you are an architect, designer, commercial planner or other professional interested in seeing what Vapor Fire looks like up close, join us this week for an exclusive unveiling event in New York City! We will be at the Courtyard Central Park on Monday, July 21 and Tuesday, July 22, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in the Belvedere meeting room. Drop in to see the burning display models and ask us your questions; we will be happy to answer them! The location is at 1717 Broadway at 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. If you need new fireplace ideas for your clients, this can be a great opportunity!

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Fireplace Safety FAQs

Whether you choose a wood burning fireplace or a fireplace that runs on clean-burning fuel, you are bound to have some questions about safely operating your fireplace. With that in mind, here are some of the most commonly asked fireplace safety questions.

Q: What is the safest distance between a fireplace and a mantle?

A: Many experts recommend placing a mantle at minimum of 12" above the top of the fireplace. If the mantle is a shelf that protrudes out, add one additional inch to the height of the mantle for every inch that the mantle protrudes out.

Q: How often should I clean out my fireplace?

A: It depends on how often you use it. If there is more than ¼ inch of soot in your wood burning fireplace, it needs to be cleaned so that you can continue to operate it safely.

Q: Is it safe to burn trash in the fireplace?

A: It is not considered safe. Trash burns too hot, which could start an out-of-control fire and damage your flue. Plus, some of your trash may contain chemicals that are unsafe to emit into the air.

Q: How can I keep my family safe from fireplace sparks?

A: There are many accessories that can shield you from fireplace sparks, including flat wire mesh screens and glass doors. However, gas logs are not likely to spark at all; neither are our clean-burning fireplace fuels. You can learn more about our bio-ethanol fireplace fuels here.

Q: What if I am unsure about the safety of the fireplace I am interested in?

A: We pride ourselves on crafting fireplaces with safety in mind. However, you are welcome to ask us about safety considerations for any fireplace you are considering.

If you have other fireplace safety questions for our wood burning fireplace units or our fireplaces that operate using fuel, feel free to ask us on Facebook or Twitter. We will be glad to answer them!

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Decorating Your Built In Fireplace for Summer

Even in colder regions, summer is the one time of year that an indoor fireplace is likely to sit unused for several months. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should neglect beautifying your fireplace or mantle area this time of year. How can you decorate your built in fireplace for summer? Here are some good ideas.

Greening it up. Of course, we’re talking about live plants here. What better way to cool down the appearance of the fireplace area than to adorn it with a few potted plants? Make sure you choose plants that are tolerant of the indoors; if your fireplace is not near a window, you will need to select plants that don’t require much sunlight. Always place a drainage plate underneath the pot, and water your plants as often as your nursery recommends.

Covering it up. Then again, you could cover your fireplace entirely. There are some gorgeous fireplace screens that are decorative items unto themselves. Choose a real wood, bamboo or wrought iron fireplace screen to elevate the appearance of your fireplace area in the summer - or better yet, use our wall-mounted sliding door hearth, which is pictured here.

Decking it out. You trim your fireplace in the fall and winter with seasonal decorations, so why not in the summer? There are plenty of summertime decorations that can go beautifully on a fireplace: seashells, starfish and framed vacation postcards can adorn the mantle. Use your imagination and have fun; isn’t that what summer is all about?

This summer, make sure your built in fireplace doesn’t fade into the background. It should be a feature you can enjoy looking at all year long!

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Looking to the Past for Fireplace Design Inspiration

Whether we knew it or not, many of us grew up with pre-conceived design notions, including ideas about fireplace design. There are certain rooms in the home that we just assume the fireplace should go: the family room, of course, and perhaps the formal living room. But then what? In the mid-century homes that still make up many of America’s suburbs, it’s not common to see fireplaces built in other rooms of the house – and perhaps that’s why so many people still don’t realize the numerous rooms of the home where fireplaces can be very appropriate.

But if we look back a little further – say, a century ago – it appears that homebuilders had the right idea. Back then, it would not have been unusual to see fireplaces in any room of the home that needed warmth. After all, that’s what fireplaces were designed to do! Those rooms might have included the:

•    Kitchen
•    Formal dining room
•    Master bedroom
•    Additional bedrooms
•    Master bath
•    Outbuildings

If you need inspiration for rooms of the home where custom fireplaces could be installed, try taking a drive through the nearest historic neighborhood in your area. Chances are, you’ll see chimneys emerging from multiple areas of the homes. If you are able to take a tour of any of these homes, you may be quite surprised (and delighted!) when you see the many different rooms that contained fireplaces. It’s a great way to get some fireplace design inspiration at the beginning of any home renovation project.

It’s wonderful to acquire fireplace ideas from magazines, Pinterest and other sources, but we recommend looking to the past for some of your inspiration as well. You may be surprised by how many practical concepts you can use for your own fireplace design projects.
 

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Otherworldly Fireplace Designs: We Have Them!

There are standard fireplaces, and then there are some fireplace designs that are so unique and distinctive that they can only be described as otherworldly. Of course, we bring many of those designs to life right here at Custom Fireplace and Design. Today, we wanted to share with you some fireplace models that may be perfect for the homeowner or business owner who thinks out of the box. These are heavily architectural fireplace designs, which is why they are often popular with interior design and architectural design/build teams. Take a look!

Remember, these are custom fireplace designs - not standard "models," but pieces that were crafted according to a client's request.

Now, this is a fireplace design that makes a statement!

Direct vent gas fireplaces are among the most popular fireplace designs there are right now. Homeowners like the clean lines and the clean burning fuels, not to mention the perfect stream of heat they emit.

As you can see, there are so many options available to clients who want a truly customized fireplace design. If you would like to see more options, take a moment to browse through our gallery. You'll love seeing the wide variety of fireplace designs there are!

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Outdoor Fireplaces: Perfect for Summer!

Sure, the weather is warm during the day – but summer nights can still benefit from the warmth of an outdoor fireplace, especially if you live near the beach, in the mountains or in a remote desert location. All of these environments tend to cool off at night, even in the summertime. Plus, there’s really nothing like the incredible ambiance of an outdoor fireplace – no matter where you live! They make the perfect centerpiece for the following outdoor living areas.

Patios: A simple backyard patio, on any style of home, can receive an instant makeover from a custom outdoor fireplace. Since our outdoor fireplaces are available in many different sizes, even homeowners with smaller patios still have backyard fireplace options available to them.

Loggias: What is a loggia, you ask? You may have one and not even know it! A loggia is a larger backyard patio designed for upscale entertaining; often, the design is Italian-inspired with a cover that is held up by decorative pillars. If you are fortunate enough to have a loggia adjacent to your home, there’s no better way to make it welcoming than to add an outdoor fireplace. This can be the showpiece that has everyone talking about your parties for years to come.

Swimming pool decks: Whether your pool deck is elevated or a simple concrete slab on the same level as the pool, you can dress it up with an outdoor fireplace. Browse our selection of outdoor fireplaces to see what design works best with your poolside space.

Summer may be in full swing, but it’s not too late to enhance your outdoor living area with outdoor fireplaces. Our gallery is full of beautiful designs to consider; take a look, and then feel free to contact us with your questions!

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Fireplace Designs for the Home – Great Ideas for Families!

Summer may not seem like the time to start looking at fireplaces, but it is actually the most practical season to gather your fireplace ideas and start shopping for one. After all, if you are investing in something that is so essential to the ambiance and functionality of your home, it’s a good idea to have it ready long before you’ll actually need it (unless you’re the last minute type – and hey, that’s okay, too!). To help you get those fireplace ideas rolling, here are our suggestions for designs that are great for family homes:

Built-in fireplaces. We have over a dozen options for built-in fireplaces, many of which are perfect for the modern family home. If you like the popular “clean lines” design aesthetic, a built-in fireplace could be a great choice.

A ceiling suspended fireplace and hearth. This is a good choice for families with older children; we have many hanging and suspended fireplaces to choose from that can be appealing to families who have moved past the safety concerns of having young children. A suspended fireplace looks incredible, and it can warm the whole space with its 360 degree fireplace panel.

Wall mounted fireplaces. These are what most people associate with fireplaces, sure – but you’ve never seen a selection like this. A wall mounted fireplace may sound like the most traditional option, but when you take a look at the models we offer, you see that wall mounted fireplaces can be just as mind-blowing as any suspended or built-in models.

These are just some of the fireplace designs you can consider for your home – but why not get your family involved in the planning and selection process, too? You may be surprised at how creatively they think! Check out our gallery, or follow us on Pinterest for more creative fireplace ideas.

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