The Simply Luxurious Life®

Let It Crackle

The addition of a crackling fire to so many different scenarios truly is a simple luxury. Whether it is time to yourself with an engrossing book that causes you to lose all track of time, enjoying a full bodied glass of cabernet sauvignon coupled with enticing conversation with a most lovely companion or with a cup of hot chocolate topped with a bit of whipping cream after being out in the cold, the ability to sit down next to a warm fire seems to soothe all woes if only for a few moments.

After having my first fire of the season in my fireplace recently, I couldn’t help but pull together a collection of images of fireplaces ready to be cozied up next to. Enjoy.

And if you’d like to see even more fireplaces, click here.

Images: (1) Decor Pad (2) House Beautiful (3) Source (4) Decor Pad (5) Indulge Decor (6) Bon Bon Rose Girls (7) Shabby Nest (8) Elle Decor (9) Source (10) House Beautiful (11) Source (12) House Beautiful (13) House Beautiful (14) Elle Decor (15)Decor Pad

Labels: fireplace, fireplaces

European Inspired Decor

Finally, the big reveal of my fireplace. Before my photo, however, I have included a handful of images that display fireplaces found in homes in Europe that are, or once were, on the market. Airspace photography's beautiful images do justice to what I'm sure are dream-like places to live. I can imagine myself in each of these homes, shopping for the decor, filling the space with warmth and my personality, and enjoying every moment spent there. Oh what fun! Out of curiosity, how would you decorate a room whose focal point was the fireplace? Can't wait to hear your ideas! Have a fantastic day and enjoy the photos.

Image Source

Simply Luxurious photo

After cleaning out the remnants of my winter fires (ashes, remaining burnt logs, etc), I now have a fireplace ready for the warmer months. I haven't yet decided on how to decorate, so I'm still playing with ideas. I appreciated all of the suggestions made on my previous post regarding fireplaces, however, and am keeping them all in mind, believe me. If anyone has any more ideas, I would love to hear them. Oh, and any thoughts for changing things up on the mantle; it's so narrow, but I'm sure there are a multitude of things that can be done. If you have any ideas to share, I'm all ears!

Labels: Airspace, fireplaces, my fireplace, Normandy style fireplace

J’adore Fireplaces

With spring just around the corner, I’m realizing that I must add a chore to my to-do list – clean out the fireplace. I only recently refurbished my Normandy-style fireplace and enjoyed becoming acquainted with its “personality” during the last few wintery months.

The ambiance of crackling tamarack is something that a gas fireplace just can’t simulate. Yes, I realize it is not as energy-efficient, but I felt obligated, I felt I owed it to my house, to let it be true to itself. (I realize I am talking about my house as though it has a personality. Don’t worry, I am not going crazy.) But I must explain . . . I adore my home. In fact, when I was shopping for my house, my mother was with me, and she suggested (even though it was out of my price range) that we should just “stop in” to take a look at the cathedral ceiling. As soon as we stepped in the front door I knew I was in trouble.

One thing I noticed immediately after we gazed up at the cathedral ceiling in ah and then literally fell in love with the great room (don’t worry, everybody was all right), was that the beauty of the original fireplace was being hidden by a gas stove insert. Well, after three years, I finally gave it the make-over I had always envisioned. And while it only seems proper that I should show you what it looked like, I need to remind you that I need to clean it. Remember the addition to my to-do list? So, you, my readers, are my motivation - “Must clean fireplace, must clean fireplace!” And then, after my task has been checked off, I would absolutely love to show it with you . . . I promise.

One thing I am in search of are any suggestions as to how to decorate a fireplace during the spring and summer? I am loving the idea of the last photo, but I’m not sure where to find dried hydrangeas. I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled.

In the meantime, I’ve included a handful of photographs displaying the added character a fireplace can bring to a room. I have intertwined a few Normandy fireplaces as well. Enjoy!