Contemporary Craftsman Fireplace Hearths...New Twist On An Old Theme!

Today's Craftsman fireplace hearths are being reinterpreted in a variety of new and exciting ways . . . . .

Though crafted in the spirit of the original Craftsman Style designs, the contemporary Craftsman fireplace hearth  is infused with subtle . . . . . and  some  not
so  subtle . . . . . nuances  that differentiate it from
its predecessors.

Regardless of the degree to which the latest  designs  depart  from the origi-
nals,  however, the Craftsman ideal of quality workmanship . . . . . using nat-
ural materials . . . . . is still very much in evidence,  as is originality in design. The  striking  design  pictured at right, as  well  as  the designs shown below, provide  a  sampling  of different looks embodied  by  today's  Craftsman fire-
place hearths.

In  addition  to  the  fireplace at right, the  two designs pictured below incor-
porate   a   tiled   fireplace   surround. Though  tile  was  often  used  in Arts
and Crafts,  or  Craftsman  Style  fire-
place designs,  the  tiles  shown  here differ in size (i.e., are somewhat larger in the examples below) and/or pattern-
ing than what was typically used . . . .
giving the designs a fresh new look!

More Arts And Crafts/Craftsman Fireplace Tile Designs

The two contemporary craftsman wood mantel designs pictured below also frame a tiled fireplace surround.  The tile used in the example on the left is fairly  traditional and similar to what was employed in earlier Craftsman fire-
place designs.   The striking tile used in the example on the right, however, is  very  innovative  and  an ideal material for contemporary Craftsman fire-
place hearths.

The following designs incorporate stone or brick fac-
ings around the firebox . . . . . . traditional  materials frequently  employed  in  Craftsman fireplace hearths. However,  the mantels or surrounds that frame these materials have a lighter, more contemporary look and feel than that of their forebears.

Another hallmark of Craftsman fire-
place  design is handcrafted detail-
ing that often emphasizes the join-
ery.  Once again, the fine detailing
on the mantel shelf pictured below
and  in the close-up at right has a much lighter,  more  contemporary
look and feel.

The  following  fireplace  designs  are very innovative and present a fresh
and unique approach to contemporary Craftsman styling.     The beautiful example  with  flanking bookshelves below,  left,  has a raised hearth with built-in  drawers  beneath  it, supported by a pair of "corbels" or brackets
. . . . . a typical Craftsman design element.  However, what is not typical
is  their  location, as traditional Craftsman fireplace detailing employs cor-
bels to support the mantel shelf above the firebox opening.      All in all, a cleverly conceived and executed contemporary Craftsman fireplace hearth design!

The  large  wood  and stone tile see through fireplace on the right is a bit more "traditional" in design.    In addition to its overall size, the unique de-
tailing  extending above the mantel shelf gives it a very commanding pres-
ence.

The fireplace hearth design pictured below, left, is a modern interpretation of  a  cozy  Craftsman Style ingelnook . . . . . complete with built-in book-
shelves.   Similarly, the contemporary Craftsman design on the right incor-
porates  recessed  bookshelves,  in  addition  to  built-in niches above the mantel.

And finally,  the bold and dramatic design pictured below was influenced by some  of  the  Arts  and  Crafts  work of renowned British architect,  Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944).    Along with the fireplace mantel and surround,  the wooden posts and forged iron strapwork capture the flavor of his genius . . . . . albeit with a distinctive contemporary twist!

If you would like more information about  any of the fireplace hearth
or  fireplace  tile designs featured here,  please  let us know and we
will  be  happy to provide that for you.

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