DIY AT HOME - Beyond Fireplaces: A Primer on Accessories $$$

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Your home decoration is not complete until you equip your fireplace with the right accessories. You can not just throw a log on the fire and call it a night. You would not operate a car without having a jack and a tire iron; likewise you should not own a fireplace without some of these essential accessories. What about stray embers? How should I use the wall space above the fireplace? Where should I store my lumber? The answers to all of these questions can be found by looking into the right accessories. Let's take a look at the proper way to outfit your home heating.

The fireplace screen is as practical as it is decorative. They protect your room from stray embers and help catch floating pieces of ash. They come in a wide range of designs, from simple rectangular screens to ornately decorative screens. Fireplace screens are typically wrought iron, brass, bronze or gold plated aluminum. For most homes, wrought iron will match any décor and the dark color hides the debris from the fireplace. The more lustrous finishes are better suited for flashier rooms or for when the screen is purely decorative (ie when used with electric fireplaces or gel fireplaces). Another functional and decorative piece is the mantle shelf. Not all fireplaces protrude from the wall, or have a large enough top surface for placing objects. Mantle shelves are installed on the wall above the fireplace, and are beautifully carved out of hardwoods. This allows you to display other decorative pieces or to simply help frame your recessed fireplace.

The more practical side of fireplace accessories would be fireplace tools and log holders. Fireplace tools typically include a poker, a shovel, small broom, tongs and tool holder. They are usually wrought iron or bronze, although pewter and copper finishes are also popular choices. The tools are usually very simply designed, although the tool holder generally has more room for creative design. Log holders are typically wrought iron, steel, or bronze. Like fireplace screens, they can be very simple or very ornate and decorative. Some log holders have the added functionality of being portable by having wheels and a cart handle built in. Remember, if you're concerned with smudges and tarnishes, wrought iron is a great material for hiding dark stains. If you insist on a flasher finishing material, prepare to do some polishing to maintain the brilliant look if you regularly use your fireplace or do not own a portable fireplace.

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