THE FIREPLACE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 107, 27 July 1927, Page 10

THE FIREPLACE

AND ITS APPOINTMENTS. POPULARITY OF BRICK. With a climate such as we get in New Zealand the importance of the fireplace cannot be overlooked, for there are few days when a lire does not seem cheerful in the evening, and during the winter months the very home itself centres round the fireside. The hoine-lover, therefore, will he wise to give every consideration to the fireplace itself, then to its surroundings, and lastly to necessary appointments. There is much to be gained by giving consideration to the fireplace itself. If it is properly constructed it will give endless comfort, and at the same time will be economical. And it can be artistic, too, and in this way give pleasure to the eye. Undoubtedly the open coal or log fire appreciated, as it is pleasant to watch as well as comfortable. It is of the utmost importance that the fireplace should be in keeping with the room w’here it is. The old type of fireplace, carried out in brick, with an ingle-nook, would be quite out of place in the modern room, as, similarly, an up-to-date grate would be in a room with plain plaster walls and heavily beamed ceiling, furnished with antiques or reproductions of antiques. To-day there is a set-back from the Victorian fireplace with its iron interior and marble mantelpiece, or the combined cast iron mantel and stove ornamented with tiles in crude colourings. Some of the most popular treatments are carried out in brick and tiles, and, in addition to being artistic, these fireplaces have the added advantage of retaining the heat longer than the iron grate, so that the room is kept at a more even temperature. A brick fireplace also adds distinction to a room, and at the same time is not unduly expensive in the first place. Perhaps the brick fireplace may be considered the most popular type today. Certainly it is in keeping with the home that is modern though built in the old-world style. This type of fireplace lends itself to countless variations, not only in the design of the grate itself but also of the overmantel Quite elaborate designs are to be seen worked out in fiat bricks* varied with tiles or bricks placed on end. Often this type of fireplace has a circular brick hearth, and possibly a single row of bricks that (foes duty as a fender In this case the furnishing of the fire place is very simple, all that is neces sary being a set of fire-irons, fire-dogs and a hearth brush. Another popular type of grate is the dog grate. This is admirably suited to the needs of the extremely modern room, and at the same time it can be used with a modern fireplace in a period room, and if it is chosen wisely it will give the atmosphere desired. The dog grate is equally suitable for coal, logs, gas or electricity which simulates wood or coal. Very clever are these imitations of log fires. Usually they consist of two or three logs made of fireclay, and when the gas is lighted it is almost impossible to realise that one is not actually looking at burning wood. Another old style of grate that is finding favour to-day is the old hob grate. At one time it was considered totally unsuited to a sitting room, but gradually it was found that it gave out a good heat, and it slowly became more and more popular for general use in the reception rooms of a home. Many of us have longed for an old open fireplace with huge logs burning upon it. This may not be possible, but to a certain extent we can satisfy our desires by introducing an ingle-nook on a modified scale, and one where it is possible to burn small logs. Now what about the surroundings of the fireside? Comfort is the first essential, and cosy chairs, humpties and small fireside mattresses should all find a place here. Fender stools are also very popular. The ornaments should be chosen wisely. Pewter, brass, copper and old willow pattern china will look at home where the fireplace is built in brick.

As the fireplace itself is ’important, no less so is the coal scuttle and log box or basket, as well as the fender and fire-irons. These are available in great variety and many ornamental designs, and they add very much to the decoration of the room. The coal scuttle should match the fender and fire-irons both in material and design if a harmonious result is to be obtained.

If a wooden box is chosen it should be fitted with a metal lining. These wooden boxes look well if chosen to match the furniture of the room where they are to be used. Logs are well kept if a large basket is provided of rough wicker work, or even rushes.

Fenders to-day are not the prosaic affairs they were in days gone by, and perhaps one of the most popular types is that which is fitted with a seat at either end. This is usually padded and covered with leather. These seats lift lip, and in one end coal can be accommodated and in the other logs of wood. These fenders are adjustable in length, which makes it possible to use them for a narrow or wider hearth. THE WALLPAPER. rrs EFFECT ON A ROOM. Of all features of interior decoration, the selection of wallpapers must be the most carefully made. Certain groups of colours, certain types of design, possess definite qualities which must be considered in the decoration of the walls Light tints, delicate patterns seemingly increase a room’s size; strong, bright :olours and prominent designs make it appear smaller. Decorations in which luminous red, yellow and orange shades predominate brighten up dull rooms, w’hile greys, greens and blues tend to soften glare. Simply by changing the colour and the design of the wall decorations, small dull rooms can be made to look bright and more spacious, and bare rooms become cosy and cheerful The latest designs tend to suggest a greater appreciation of architectural significance in wall coverings. By this is meant that more attention is being given to the definite relation between certain lines which represent the structure of the pattern, and the ornamentations. A striped paper, even though the ytripe may be complemented or partially concealed by’ another pattern, may serve an architectural purpose by emphasising the vertical movement by which the architectural design is characterised. In their colourings the new wallpapers show a tendency towards one extreme or the other—either the soft pastel shades or the bright primary colours. Period designs are still evident, but there is a discernible and original quality in many of the most in Lercsting designs.