Whether wood-burning, electric or gas powered, fireplaces add beauty, coziness and warmth to a home. People naturally relax and unwind as the senses are drawn to the dancing flames and the crackling sounds and smells.
In business for 36 years, Colliers, 2315 Shelby Dr., Warsaw, Ind., specializes in residential and commercial heating and air conditioning, fireplaces and solar technology throughout north-central Indiana.
Fireplaces have multiple purposes.
“There are many advantages to having one or more fireplaces in a home, and they are as individual as the customers who own them,” says Chuck Ault, owner. “Everyone wants the ambiance, functionality, or both when looking to update or add one to the home.”
Collier’s can do anything and everything with fireplaces, Ault adds, whether creating a new look for an existing fireplace or adding one to a home.
“We can do as much or as little as you want and handle all jobs, big or small.”
To help customers get started, he suggests they visit Collier’s 2,000-square-foot showroom to see the wide variety of fireplace materials including stone, brick, concrete, wood, metal, marble, limestone and more.
The fireplace mantel and hearth may be optional in some cases and can enhance the material used to surround the firebox, which can be something plain or more decorative, made from the same material or one that is contrasting in texture and color. The hearth is made from a non-combustible material to protect the interior flooring from heat and embers from a wood-burning fireplace.
Not only is the fireplace an attention-getter on its own, but the décor around it can add to or complete a look.
Decorative mirrors, vintage art pieces, pictures, baskets, trays, candles and vases can be used alone or together and in varying heights to add elegant touches to a mantel. Neutral walls can have a look of elegance with items that surround the fireplace in natural textures and neutral colors. Or, the fireplace can be the location for a pop of color carried through in other accent pieces such as decorative pillows, cushions and throws.
Fireplaces are warm and welcoming and can be eco-friendly, Ault adds. They can add value and beauty to a home, provide warmth and romance, and help lower utility costs.
“A fireplace creates ambiance and is the focal point of any room. It can blend in with the surroundings or add a dramatic contrast to the rest of the room,” Ault says.
One homeowner, he recalls, took a blank wall and added a woodburning fireplace complete with a stone wall and floor-to-ceiling storage box for wood.
“That boring wall became an elegant focal point in the room,” Ault says. “Every fireplace draws attention and makes a statement.”
For more information or to schedule a home appointment, contact Collier’s on their Facebook page or call (574) 200-0429.
Staying Cozy in Front of the Fireplace
