We are deep in fireplace season, and unsurprisingly, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' pit is unique, sophisticated, and highly aspirational.
Ryan, fresh off the heels of the Deadpool 3 trailer dropping during the Super Bowl, posted a photo of his fireplace blazing below a flat-screen, mounted television... playing the Super Bowl game, naturally.
'Has everyone seen the #Deadpool trailer? Also, has anyone seen my wife?' he captioned the post. She was experiencing the game live, but he was staying cozy.
Providing rustic charm and natural warmth, fireplaces have long served as a gathering place in the home and, as such, should be implemented with as much care as a dining table or oven.
‘Fireplaces can anchor a space and provide context for the look and feel of a home,' explains antique restorer and founder of fireplace specialist Renaissance London, Owen Pacey. 'Not only do they offer a focal point in any room, but they add personality, detail, and a feeling of establishment. This is why it’s important to consider all your options before making a decision.'
Over the course of his 25-year career, East End born Owen Pacey has established a reputation as a foremost expert in architectural salvage. As well as offering a vast array of original pieces, from furniture and lighting to mirrors and statuary in his Renaissance showroom, he has developed a bespoke fireplace service, meticulously matching historical designs.
Ryan's stone fireplace exterior, combined with a unique black and white tiled interior, blends antique decals with modern personality. Owen says that traditional fireplace materials are a key determining factor in its style and aesthetic.
'Natural stone acts as a ‘character builder’ for your home,' he says. ‘The natural imperfections and inconsistencies in each fireplace will bring an intrinsic uniqueness to your home.’
Owen recommends sticking to the period of the house when purchasing a fireplace, so that the styles look cohesive and it looks more natural.
‘In the Georgian period, they made tens of thousands of bullseye style fireplaces, so this style is very typical in properties of that time,' he explains. 'Similarly to Victorian, the most common design is Carrara marble with a shell design on the corbels. Edwardian fireplaces are beautifully intricate, mainly tiled and made from either cast iron or slate, with an Art Noveau feel to them as well,' he notes.
If unsure about the period of the house, Owen recommends befriending a neighbor and asking to see if they have any original features on display.
'Otherwise, you can gain a pretty good idea of the period of the house from the street view.’
Recreate the look with our fireplace edit
A traditional mantel in a rich oak. A perfect centrepiece for cozy winter evenings.
Modern and luxurious, this white fireplace mixes cool painted wood with electric function.
Protect the flame with this sleek, bronze coated fireplace screen.
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