In a way modern fireplaces are like modern art. You may look at it and think ‘but it doesnt look like a fireplace’ and you may look at it and think ‘wheres the craftsmanship’. In the end though, isn’t it about whether you want to look at it or not!
January 24, 2010
December 17, 2009
Internet selling
It is tempting for all of us (during this drawn out credit crunch) to push for discount and to look for the cheapest buying option. However, buying a Fireplace Mantel, Stone Fireplace, Marble Fireplace, Fireplace Suite, Cast Iron Fireplace or Stove is not generally a simple purchase, a it might be easy to find internet shops that will sell these kinds of products, but you must be aware that advice about the product before you purchase is vital. You need to know that the Fireplace/ Fire/Stove is suitable for your property (believe me it is a lot more complicated than you probably realise) and advice, fitting and good aftercare service is essential throughout your purchase. If you want to ensure peace of mind and good aftercare you should purchase your products through an Independent Fireplace Retailer. In addition you will be showing support for your local business during a difficult time for them!
The National Fireplace Assosiation recently released this article:
Many internet retailers fail to point out to their purchasers that the installation of their new wood-burning stove is governed by the Building Regulations. To paraphrase Approved Document J of the Building Regulations 2002, purchasers of solid fuel stoves (those burning wood fuels or coal based fuels) must either apply to their local authority building inspectorate for a Building Notice or use a registered member of a ‘Competent Persons’ scheme for solid fuels. The only competent persons scheme for solid fuel is run by HETAS, a not-for-profit company which approves solid fuel appliances and fuels as well as operating this ‘Competent Person’s’ scheme in England and Wales. The HETA web site at www.hetas.co.uk.
With little or no information received by purchasers from internet stove sellers, many try to install these stoves themselves unaware of the Building Regulation requirements or the possible danger of fire or carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if these products are not installed properly. The National Fireplace Association, which is the trade body for the fireplace industry (fires, fireplaces and stoves powered by all types of fuel), would like to see each stove accompanied by a sheet spelling out the purchaser’s duty to have the stove installed safely in line with both the Building Regulations and the manufacturer’s instructions.
December 15, 2009
Will Santa come down your chimney?
How does Father Christmas manage to keep his beard gleaming white after jumping down millions of chimeys in one night?! Maybe he only chooses clean ones?!
Keeping your chimney clean especially in winter is important. A blocked chimney does not only create a lot of mess from soot fall and stop the fire working efficiently it can result in a chimney fire and contribute towards carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you are not sure who to contact you may find this link to The National Association of Chimney Sweeps useful.
If you do keep your chimney swept, but still experince a few problems with downdraft, soot and rain fall than there is something you can do. Installation of a rain cap or chimney cowl will help protect the chimney from extreme weather conditions.
December 9, 2009
Be kinder to the environment & your purse
If you are like me and feel the pressures of global warming and have thought about changing from a gas to wood fuel fire…but, also like me, do not relish the idea of trailing out in to the back garden on a cold morning to fetch wood, GOOD NEWS! Capital Fireplaces offer a range of the highest efficiency gas convector fires on the market (upto 89% efficient). The glass fronted gas convector fire options are the most efficient and when switched off also prevent heat from your room escaping up the chimney. They are clean and use little gas when running, so now you can be kinder to your purse and kinder to the environment at the same time. 
December 7, 2009
Interior Design tips for the home
When furnishing any room there is a piece of furniture that should be considered first – the sofa in the living room, the bed in the bed room, the desk in the office. This piece in most cases should face the focal point of the room. The focal point can be a view window, television or a beautiful fireplace. Keith at Reading Designs recommends ‘The large pieces should be evenly distributed so as not to put the room off balance. Leave room around them for the best affect. In selecting these pieces, keep the architectural shapes in the room in mind’
The BBC Home website says:
‘Make your Fireplace your focal point’
• Consider painting the chimney breast to contrast with the walls and to highlight the feature, or for a more subtle effect paint the walls and chimney breast with the same colour or tone as the fireplace.
• Mantel shelf – de-clutter. If you are lucky enough to own a Stone fireplace or Marble fireplace then the mantle is a style focal point and not a magnet for keys, loose change or post.
• Accessorise – if there is an open fire, or open fireplace then a coal scuttle, log basket and poker (Fireplace Accessories) may automatically theme a traditional fireside area. If you have an unused hearth or an electric or gas fire and are looking for a modern, minimalistic look, a collection of large church candles will provide light and atmosphere. In summer, fresh flowers draw the eye.
• Artwork/Mirrors – to reinforce the fireplace mantel as a focal point, hang your best artwork over the fireplace or place a mirror on top, but be aware of the safety implications of viewing your reflection close to an open fire!
November 30, 2009
Contemporary Fireplaces
Contemporary fireplaces are available in various forms, stylish and sleek by design and genarally ’space saving’ makes them ideally suited to modern apartments and homes. Some of the most popular types of contemporary fireplace are known as Hole in the wall fires.
The remote control gas LBR 26'' Fire
Akal remote control gas fire bowl - Chrome (shown in Contemporary Agean Limestone Low suite)
If you are looking for something even more innovative and slightly more daring than the popular Hole in the wall fire, then the Fire Bowl is for you. The Capital Contemporary Fire Bowls were designed by the award winning sculptor Lilly Swan and are named after her love of Yoga the Boji, Akal and Oracle. In the new year the Akal Bowl will be aired on a Channel five programme (called Cowboy Builders) and was chosen by a team of designers and, ex Loose Woman presenter and Emmerdale actress Sheree Murphy.
November 17, 2009
Cast Iron Fireplaces – the traditional wood burning fireplace
There is no doubt that a cast iron fireplace is a striking thing. Once manufactured in extremely large sizes for the likes of stately properties they are now available in modest sizes and the cast iron arch can look fab in a bedroom, kitchen or dining room.
Wood burning is the current popular burning method and the Capital Wandsworth cast iron arches are fitted with deep burning backs which enables you to burn more logs for longer than most standard sizes available. Although, if wood & coal burning is not your thing, then Capital can provide a gas or electric alternative.
Wandsworth Black - cast iron fireplace
November 5, 2009
Stone Fireplaces – Natural Beauty
Ever thought that when you’re buying a stone fireplace, you’re also buying a valuable natural antique for your home?
To me the beauty of natural stone lies within the history that forms it. Each piece of natural stone is unique to another, therefore each stone fireplace is also unique.
Limestone is a sedimentary rock primarily made of the mineral calcite CaCO3 (here comes the science bit) which originates from the floor bed of tropical seas and turns into stone by the accumulation of the constituents grains of calcite and marine sealife.
Most limestone is formed with the help of living organisms, when organisms die their shells and bones settle to the seafloor. Over millions of years, these sediments of shells, sand and mud harden into limestone – your fireplace is made up of fossils and millions of years old!
If you choose to buy a limestone fireplace you do need to be realistic about colour and consistency. The legs and mantel shelf of your Capital Fireplaces’ stone fireplace are colour matched as close as possible and at point of production any legs and mantel shelves with large fossils (i.e 10 pence size or larger) are generally rejected, but tiny fossils will be inevitable – to me that is the beauty of natural stone, and a naturally beautiful limestone fireplace!
Regent Agean Limestone fireplace
