Fireside Chat

Our Team Discusses Trends in Fire pits and Fireplaces

Lake Lodge’s living room features a 72” Heat N Glo Mezzo Fireplace, offering year-round enjoyment.

In the colder months, or in the cool, crisp air of summer’s evenings by the lake, there’s nothing quite as cozy as a roaring fire. Whether indoors or outdoors, sitting by the fire is one of many people’s favorite pastimes, and for good reason. Besides the warmth it provides, in different environments, the fireside experience can be serene, fun, memorable, and more. 

Since many of our custom new home builds and remodeling projects alike include making special space for this awesome natural element, we’re answering questions we’re frequently asked about what’s trending, the big role personal style and space play, and what we’ve worked on lately that’s been inspiring.

Q: What trends in fireplaces (indoor or outdoor) are you seeing lately?

Do fireplaces and fire pits go out of style? We don’t really think so. They seem to be a classic element of every home and a natural gathering place. Different spaces and personal style dictate much of the decision to incorporate a certain “look” or function, whether indoors or outdoors. For example, an indoor fireplace in a kitchen or keeping room versus in a library are likely going to be very different. 

Having said that, and accounting for the spectrum of everyone’s own sense of style, we are seeing a more minimalist approach to fireplace design, even in more traditional homes. A modern look can co-exist with a love of upscale rustic design and decor. Using eco-friendly materials, lining the surround with tiles, and/or customizing the millwork are each having a moment right now. Natural gas has eclipsed wood-burning fireplaces, and we see that trend continuing indoors and on covered porches.

Q: Have you ever built a fireplace somewhere unique (i.e., not the living room or bedroom)?

As we like to say, if you can dream it, we can build it into reality. Again, personal taste weighs heavily in the decisions about how many fireplaces a given home has and where they’re located.

The Four Seasons Room

“One of our client families enjoys a fireplace on their upper deck [seen left], which is outfitted with E Z Screens, for year-round use,” explains Project Manager Miranda Smith. “ They call it the Four Seasons Room.”

For culinary enthusiasts or big families, we love to build a pizza oven into the kitchen layout. Those who want to indulge in a spa-like vibe tend to explore a fireplace in the master bathroom. Dens, trophy rooms, reading areas…the possibilities are many for fireside enjoyment.

Q: What materials are best to use for fireplace and/or fire pit construction?

As we’ve already mentioned, natural, eco-friendly materials are in high demand when it comes to fireplaces and fire pits, as are the use of Isokern Masonry units  outfitted with firebrick (seen right), which allow for a fireplace to function as either gas or wood burning and helps radiate the heat generated into the surrounding space.

Q: Outdoors, which is more prevalent: fireplaces or fire pits (or both)?

Short answer: It depends on space and personal style! (Are you sensing a theme here?) Smaller outdoor spaces located close to the home lend themselves better to fireplaces, whereas more open spaces, often found closer to the water or on a  landscaped lawn, are ideal for a fire pit.

The fire pit at a client family’s lakefront home.

Q: Which suppliers do you rely on for fireplaces and fire pits, so that we can give them a shout-out?

Glenco Fireplaces, located in Easley, South Carolina, has a great showroom and is a valued partner. Moderno recently installed two large concrete fire bowls for us, and Smucker Patio Living, based in Seneca, South Carolina, also has consistently good selections.