Page 75 - 2023 Parade Style Magazine

For centuries, the wood-burning fireplace has been the focal point in living rooms across the world. They symbolize hearth, home, cozy nights, and cuddling up with the ones you love. Who doesn’t look forward to crackling logs, glowing embers, and a woodsy scent that permeates the air?
In modern homes, however, gas and electric fireplaces are increasingly installed more often than wood-burning open-hearth fireplaces. Sure, home- owners who prefer traditional home styles may
opt for the more “natural” wood-burning fireplace, but thanks to their ease of use and the fact they
are cleaner and require less maintenance, gas and electric fireplaces are hugely popular, and not just in living rooms.
Today, new home buyers frequently request fireplac- es in bedrooms, bathrooms, or even outdoors, and home builders and designers have become clever and creative when it comes to deciding where and how to use them. The big question: What can be done in other rooms to achieve the same ambiance, the same focal point, that’s always been in the living room? Gas and electric fireplaces are perfect solutions for creating that comfortable atmosphere – with or without heat. Technology, design, function, and creativity combine to deliver homeowners the ability to now enjoy a fireplace in any room of their home.
With gas and electric fireplaces, modern conve- niences and elevated designs are the factors that homeowners now appreciate most. You can start a fire in a second or two – literally – without having to chop and store firewood, light kindling, or tend the fire. Gas and electric fireplaces are also much easier to control than wood-burning fireplaces, as you can operate the heat, flame and lighting with a remote control or even an application on your phone.
In terms of design, new eye-catching options are currently flooding the market. Linear fireplaces are perfect for homes that feature contemporary design components. Some even include vertical sides that are sure to become the focal point in any large
area such as a game room or upstairs loft. See- through fireplaces also have become more popular during the last several years. Shared walls between bedrooms and baths, dining and living rooms, and
indoor and outdoor living areas can often provide a perfect space for this stunning feature.
Imagine the bliss and romance of lying in bed with a fireplace providing just the right amount of heat and flame, plus multiple options for colorful lighting. Just before rolling over to turn off the bedside lamp, you simply touch the remote button again to eliminate the fire. Such a simple maneuver for ensuring sweet dreams. Or picture yourself in a relaxing hot bath, the multi-colored lights of a wall-mounted fireplace providing the glow of a spa experience.
Outdoor fireplaces are another option for adding a spectacular yet practical wow factor to your home. More and more Americans now extend their living and dining areas outside, and an outdoor fireplace transforms the space into an oasis. As the focal point of your patio or deck, it adds warmth, reduces stress, adds value to your home, and extends your patio season. Its aesthetic appeal draws in friends and family, especially if there is comfortable seating nearby, and it also partners beautifully with an outdoor kitchen. Between the two components, outdoor living becomes more complete, more staycation
Gas, electric and wood-burning fireplaces are available in a wide range of sizes and styles, which is another reason home builders and buyers are incorporating this beloved amenity into multiple rooms. Need a 72-inch gas fireplace to run the width of a den wall beneath your mounted television? No problem. Or how about a 40-inch wall-mounted electric fireplace in your guest bath, which is sure
to be a welcome surprise for guests? Your needs are covered there too! Want an outdoor fireplace that can add warmth and a cozy ambiance to your deck? No worries. A range of sizes can handle your needs.
From country farmhouse to city contemporary, the styles of today’s fireplaces seem endless, and Par- rish & Company is your family-owned local resource for choosing whatever style fireplace best suits your lifestyle and budget. Visit www.parrishandcompa- ny.com for inspiration, and stay tuned for updates about the opening of the new Parrish showroom in Bulverde. When it comes to fireplaces the pros at Parrish have been experts for more than 50 years.
2023 PARADE STYLE MAGAZINE || 75