A River Stone Fireplace Rocks!

The river stone fireplace is the quintessential image
of the nostalgic hearth.  Few, if any other types of stone hearths conjure up as many images of a time when life was simpler  . . . . and seemingly sweeter.

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River  stone,  or river rock,  as  it  is commonly  called,  is  the  result  of
aeons  of wear from fast moving wa-
ter and glacial activity. With its scat-
tering  of  indigo,  puce and earthen colors,   the  irregular  stones  have unique  textural  nuances  worn into their  surfaces.     When  framing  a flickering fire, the smooth and gently rounded  curves  of the stones sym-
bolize . . . . at least in our minds . . . the  idealized  reality  of  an  earlier, gentler time.

For many of us, the mere mention of a river stone fireplace makes us think of a massive, floor to ceiling hearth with a commanding presence.  Indeed, their staggering size and monumentality enrapture us.

However,  a  river  stone fireplace can also be downsized to fit in virtually any size home or room. The following examples demonstrate how that can be  accomplished  without sacrificing the look and feel of a cozy and nos-
talgic hearth.

As with many varieties of stone, river stone can be manipulated by human hands to achieve a wide array of different looks in a wide array of applica-
tions, such as the striking entrance wall below.

The  fireplace  on  the  left,  below (top row),  blends river stones with fieldstone for a stunning overall appearance. Below right (top row), the placement  of stones on the edges of both the mantel shelf and hearth,
as well as a framed niche just above the mantel,  gives this fireplace a
very unique and distinctive look.   Bottom right,  the wall of glass fram-
ing this fireplace, made possible with a direct vent gas unit, provides a stunning panorama of the wooded landscape just beyond.

Stunning design pictured above  by  master stone artisan, Lew French.

The following photos depict a variety of looks that are possible with a river rock surround.    Note the varying styles,  as well as the geographic differ-
ences in stone coloration.

Outdoors, a river stone fireplace complements the landscape and provides a natural accompaniment to a wooded setting or retreat.

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