| There is a certain appeal that comes from having | | | | look uncoordinated and out of place. If you are using |
| your very own fireplace. Just because you cannot | | | | an existing heater the general principle is to blend and |
| install a real fireplace into your lounge room does not | | | | distract. This means that the surround and mantle |
| mean that you cannot have one at all. If you are | | | | should blend in with the rest of the room. |
| willing to spend a little time and effort you can create | | | | Consider using the same wall color, or at worst one |
| your own fireplace. | | | | shade darker. Where possible try to match the color |
| People like having a fireplace for various reasons. | | | | of the heater paneling to create a block of color |
| Some like the perception of grandeur or style that | | | | rather than distinct color patches. Limit ornamentation |
| they think it brings to their house, others like to use | | | | on the mantelpiece so as not to attract too much |
| it as a focal or decorating point, while others see it | | | | attention to the immediate area. |
| as simply as a way of heating their home during the | | | | A fireplace with No Heater: |
| winter chills. | | | | If you are not using an existing heating system there |
| Whatever your reason for wanting a fireplace, you | | | | are fewer limitations. Many people choose to create |
| may not necessarily be able to have the real thing. If | | | | a fake fireplace and use the cavity where the fire |
| you don't own the property you have no say in | | | | would be to display items or place a couple of pieces |
| what goes in and are stuck with whatever's already | | | | of wood if they want it to look authentic. |
| there. Sometimes all it takes is a little thinking outside | | | | Add some secondhand bricks to the floor of the |
| the square to create a room for everyone to admire. | | | | cavity to give it an authentic fireplace look. If this is |
| There are two ways of looking at fake fireplaces, | | | | your purpose for creating the surround, you want to |
| those with fake fires in them and those that have | | | | attract attention to the area. You can be more liberal |
| the mantle and surround only with no fire. Either | | | | with the decoration that adorns the mantle but be |
| situation is acceptable style wise, although if you | | | | sure not to overcrowd the area. |
| have an existing method of heating you could best | | | | Regardless of the motive for creating a fake |
| use the fake fire surround to change the appearance | | | | fireplace, you can create a simple surround with |
| of the current system. | | | | relatively little trouble and change the appearance of |
| Surround an Existing Heater: | | | | your room. If you choose a style that suits your |
| If you are adding a fake surround and mantle to an | | | | needs and pay attention to detail you can have a |
| existing heating system you need to ensure that it is | | | | fireplace that looks like it has always been there. |
| done properly otherwise you risk making the area | | | | |