Fireplace design images

These images of fireplace designs are meant to be an inspiration to anyone planning to build their own fireplace. They are also gosh darn pretty! This top one shows a fireplace in a home library (image by Riccardo Cuppini).

A 16th century Romanian fireplace. Image by Archer 10.

Musée Carnavalet. Image by KotomiCreations. The fireplace seems to be very much Baroque inspired.

Image by claireneill. A fireplace in a modern private home.

Image by pauldriscoll. Notice how modern wood works well will antique bricks and back plate.

I guess, one would call this a walk-in fireplace? Image by rfzappala.

 Fireplace decoration element. Image by claireneill.

 This work of art fireplace by M. Vrubel was created in the so called "Russian" style. Image by Kwong Yee Cheng.

 This appears to be a store of some sort, but the fireplace would work great for the Flintstone family. Image by "Research Indicates".

Colonial fireplaces

Conceptual sources for Colonial fireplace designs can be found in traditional English and Scandinavian homes. The term "Colonial fireplace" does not represent a single style, however. There are several distinct variations, stemming from designs adapted by new comers to America who brought their expertise in house building, but adapted their construction techniques to use the materials available locally (photo by David Walbert). The earliest Colonial fireplace design can be found in many historic homes on the East Coast, although these fireplaces also inspired later architects who created similar features for houses and estates throughout the country - a great example of that being Henry Ford's estate at Fair Lane. Original Colonial fireplace is characterized by a large wooden beam used for hanging utensils. In many cases, there was only one fireplace in the house, so it had to be fully functional for all cooking needs. Another, perhaps more familiar type of Colonial fireplace originates from traditional Scandinavian wood paneling. Such fireplaces display elegance, but usually lack any decorative elements per se. In some respects, these fireplace are reminiscent of Georgian style fireplaces in England. Most of these fireplaces are not designed to be used for cooking.

Fireplace designs by F.L. Wright

One of the most illustrious architects of the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright designed more than one thousand fireplaces and hearths. This book by Carla Lind shows the versatility and uniqueness of his designs. In the author's opinion, Frank Lloyd Wright understood the very essence of what a fireplace represents. She uses a quote from an early writer: The thought of a fireplace creates is first of all ancestral. It means that you have a father and a home... Fireplace is a symbol of three virtues: illumination, warmth and purification... A place for fire is also an altar; that is an altar for sacrifice, for refuge, for love.
By the way, Wright designed forty four fireplaces for his three homes! Even as technologies changed, the architect always placed a massive fireplace at the center of his architectural plans. When Wright reworked the very concept of an American home in the 1930s he kept the fireplace, although in practical terms open fire was quickly becoming obsolete. Great book for an aspiring fireplace designer.