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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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