Some Useful Hints

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 16, 31 October 1930, Page 34

Some Useful Hints

HERE is nothing cosier than an ingle fireplace with seats on either side, provided it does not smoke. Unfortunately, the cavernous chimney which suited the generous fires of our forefathers is often ill-adapted to our own more meagre fires, with the consequence that the up-draught is insufficient, and the smoke comes out into the room. However, it is possible to restrict the flue opening, and the log fire which burns within will then give a cheery blaze, without the discomfort that has just been mentioned. A fireplace of this style wants to be used in a room with a rafter or a beamed eeiling. A fireplace taking up the whole end of a room is very striking, and this often lends itself to bookcases being built in on either side, This fireplace in a large room may also be built of stone boulders, if you live in a place where they can be easily procured. It is wise, then, to build the whole chimney of stone, but let it be on an outside wall. When building a "period" house, it is advisable to plan your interior in keeping with the exterior. It is possible now to procure basket grates, dog grates, or hob grates, which can be placed in a suitable opening. Small red bricks, stone, or tiles are among the best material for this purpose. You can buy genuine old models, but it is better to buy those that have firebrick interiors which deflect the heat into the room, thus economising fuel. Sometimes in the case of the basket grate that stands in an open fireplace, the old trouble of smoke escaping into the room may be overcome by fitting a hood or canopy over the grate-in design to match the particular grate. t