Family Room Fireplace

Family Room Fireplace

Every autumn as leaves and temperatures fall, I anticipate the first fire in the fireplace. I continue to build fires well through the cool spring nights. Each new fire is a personal test of my log selection and arranging skills, (some of which I fail).  My father-in-law and I have a running contest to see who’s fire will smoke and go out the fastest.

When my home (and his) was built in the late eighteenth century, building fires was serious business. These fireplaces were undoubtedly the center of the families’ lives and perhaps sometimes made the difference between life and death. Those farmers cooked in their fireplaces slept near them and made sure they never went out during the long cold winter.

In the late 1700′s Count Rumford (who was born Benjamin Thompson in Woburn, Massachusetts in 1753) wrote about his fireplace innovations which included a high wide firebox as well as widely splayed jambs. These changes greatly increased efficiency and reduced smoking. We often use Rumford designs today, especially when efficiency is paramount. The basic design of the fireplace is still the same after hundreds of years and although Count Rumford made great improvements to the efficiency of fireplaces, most people prefer a deep fireplace that can comfortably hold oversized logs.

Even though a fireplace in the 21st century is physically unnecessary to heat a house, it is the heart of what we consider home. There is a comfort associated with a roaring fire in the fireplace and a thrill to contain the most dangerous element any home can know. We all bring our memories of childhood hearth sitting to the table when we began to design our own fireplace. My daughters’ favorite question after playing in the snow is “Can we build a fire and drink hot chocolate?”, all she cares about is the comfort and the cocoa.

There are many alternatives to a traditional fireplace such as wood stoves, gas inserts and even LCD screens that show a crackling fire. While being very convenient, those alternatives will never compare to the first fire I start in my fireplace each fall.

Dining Area Fireplace

Dining Area Fireplace

Restored Fireplace In Kitchen

Restored Fireplace in Kitchen

Outdoor Fireplace

Outdoor Fireplace

Game Room Fireplace

Game Room Fireplace

Formal Fireplace

Formal Fireplace

Screened Porch

Screened Porch Fireplace

Family Room Fireplace

Family Room Fireplace

 Master Bedroom Fireplace

Master Bedroom Fireplace

 Porch With Fireplace

Porch with Fireplace

Living Room Fireplace

Living Room Fireplace

Master Bedroom Fireplace

Master Bedroom Fireplace

Restored Fireplace

Restored Fireplace

Photos by Rob Karosis  Curated Brochure by Crisp Architects: Portfolio

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About the Author: James Crisp

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James M. Crisp has been an architect for well over 30 years. His architectural firm, Crisp Architects, designs projects throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. In April of 2007, Taunton Press published 'On the Porch' by James M. Crisp and Sandra Mahoney.

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3 Comments

  1. 9311A1A128880809De1B9F91Fdf99707?S=54&R=G
    Joanne Pinello Kaley November 15, 2018 at 10:22 pm

    Receiving your email is always a treat.

  2. Aa2Cbf39867Dfccabe80558316A86802?S=54&R=G
    Jimmy Crisp November 15, 2018 at 10:30 pm

    Thanks

  3. 08963Ebe0D6B7Ffa4C94Fa0C946D8770?S=54&R=G
    Bill Tims December 1, 2018 at 11:42 am

    Always enjoy your blog, great ideas and so informative. Particularly liked the fireplace with the barn door cabinet, most likely hiding a TV.

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