As the chill in the air becomes more pronounced, so does our longing for a fireplace. “More people are renovating their homes, and one upgrade they want to include seems to be a fireplace,” says David Waldman, owner of Dreifuss Fireplaces, with locations in Paoli and Philadelphia. “They definitely add value to a home.”
Fireplace design has come a long way from the conventional wood mantel and brick facing. “Today’s fireplaces are as much of a work of art as they are functional accessories,” Waldman says.
Sleek linear fireplaces with glass viewing areas are currently the most popular—whether you’re living in a traditional stone Colonial or a modern condo. Depending on a home’s décor, the facing of a fireplace can be chosen to reflect your preference. And in gas and electric models, logs can be replaced with river rocks or even crushed colored glass. “These options have made fireplaces conversation pieces,” Waldman says.
If the thought of tearing into a wall doesn’t exactly excite you, plenty of other options are available, including freestanding cabinets. “There really is something for everyone,” says Waldman.
Paoli Design Center, 1616 E. Lancaster Ave., Paoli; (610) 644-4100, dreifussfireplaces.com.
