Stone Fireplace Mantels and Surrounds - A Centerpiece of Room Decor
![Stone fireplace mantel or mantelpiece Prince Louis]](StoneFireplaceMantelPrinceLouis.jpg)
Stone mantelpieces are one of the most popular type for fireplaces. "Stone", though, can describe many types of stone, and fireplaces vary greatly in appearance depending on the stone used, the design, the level of ornateness, and other factors.
If you mention a stone fireplace, therefore, it can conjure up a variety of pictures in peoples' minds. I, for example, immediately think of natural grey stone, used to build a fireplace on site.
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In some parts of England, stone is predominant in both buildings and fireplaces, or at least has been in the past. They went out of fashion for much of the 20th century, but had a resurgence of popularity in the 80's, when they became more appreciated for the natural beauty to enhance the home decor.
People who owned cottages frantically tried to uncover old stone fireplaces that had been covered decades before, while others had to try to find a stonemason who had the time to fit you into their heavy schedule. I was fortunate enough to live in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, where Purbeck Stone was, and still is, quarried. Many of the centuries old cottages in Swanage and surrounding villages were build of Purbeck stone.
Natural stone is an excellent choice for fireplace mantels, but it need not be the grey type stones often seen in old cottages in England. That does not suit all homes, or tastes. Marble in many shades and hues can be dieal for classic designs, but can also be very expensive.
Nowadays, you have the choice of cast stone, carved in whatever style, old or modern, you may desire, as well as the natural stones. The pictures (courtesy of FireplaceMantels) are all of modern fire places made of limestone, and hand carved in classic style. You will find it much easier to get hold of a top quality mantel now than you would have done 20 eyars ago; at least, that is the case in the UK. In the US, companies like FireplaceMantels have many choices awaiting you.
