by Cara Smithers

Created on: September 22, 2008   Last Updated: September 25, 2008

A fireplace hearth is the focal point of the family room, which is often the most frequently occupied room in the home. In fact, the Latin name for a hearth is focus. There is a reason this visually appealing heat giver makes any common home seem cozier. It serves as the central location in the room where families closely gather to feel its warmth and converse intimately in its illuminating setting. Its historic nature indicates that hearths were actually brick or stone-lined fireplace hearths used conveniently as both a wood stove hearth and a home heating system. The architectural need for attributes of the old world mixed with the contemporary home interior of today has become increasingly desirable to the homeowner. The masonry work commonly associated with hearths is one of those attributes that adds warmth to any room while allowing the solitude of nature to enter into the home.

Capturing the rustic appearance of an eighteenth century hearth is now a possible option complete with many fireplace accessories that are just as readily available. It is the homeowner's choice whether they would like to completely revert back to the stone-lined fire burning stove of the middle ages or modernize their hearth with slab tile or polished granite. Boasting the contemporary designs of granite, marble or tile provides a variety of color options that range from Midnight Blue to Victorian Brown. The vast array of hearth color and texture choices for the consumer provides a unique design option that can bestow a room with a sense of the present, past or both time eras intertwined.
Some common accessories of any well adorned fireplace include hearth pads and hearth rugs. A hearth pad serves as a safety mat often constructed of stone or tile and is trimmed with colorful options such as aluminum, brass, metal or oak. A hearth rug is an additional option that is fitted to lie directly in front of the fireplace for decoration and is also available in an array of beautiful fabrics and colors. Another safety accessory available is the hearth gate. These devices are often composed of rod iron and are useful in keeping the fire contained and the children protected from the heat. A hearth gate can also be used as a decorative option with the twisted metal spiraling around into different shapes and figures. Its appearance can be that of a medieval gate paired nicely with classic decor or a suave modern piece to suit a sleek contemporary apartment.
The hearth is the distinguishing factor that completes any family room and is an aesthetic feature that should not be overlooked. It is undoubtedly the heart of the home and has served that purpose either practically or symbolically for many years. In the event that a homeowner is renovating an old home or building a new one, the question is not whether they will have a hearth; it is what kind they will create to fill their cherished space?

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