Hot CommodityBy Susan Salaz
Photography By The Home Aesthetic
Human beings are drawn to fire, and fire draws us to gather together. A home's hearth has traditionally been a safe and warm gathering place for families. Today, our fireplaces still invite us to be present with one another, and still hang our stockings up, with our hearts full of hope.
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Red-hot coals, glowing embers and crackling flames have naturally attracted our attention for hundreds-of-thousands of years. This connection is burnt into our human DNA, and yes, the pun is intended. Fire has always been an important tool in modern civilization, and although an open flame is no longer a necessity for safety and sustenance, it still draws us together today. Fires are synonymous with gathering places, and people are emotionally attached to this ancient ritual, Todd Ketchum, President of Victory Surfaces says. “There is a history of families gathering by the fire,” he adds, citing nostalgia, especially this time of year, when many are excited to hang their stockings by the chimney or burn the traditional Yule log.
A home’s hearth room has long been the gathering place, and as homes have evolved over the years many still include a fireplace—usually in a prominent place where people will congregate. If your fireplace is unused because it is underwhelming or out-of-date, perhaps all it needs is a little inspiration to heat things up again. Todd believes the beauty of investing in a fireplace remodel is that it is a relatively simple way to make a dramatic change to the look of your home. “You can change out the façade of your fireplace without doing a lot of other tedious work, like electrical or plumbing that come with kitchen and bathroom remodels,” he says. “We can go right over what is already there with marble, limestone or porcelain without changing a lot of the structure,” Todd goes on, revealing that porcelain, in particular, is very popular right now. This thin material, similar to tile but with the look of stone, doesn’t require a lot of supporting structure underneath—lending itself to taller, grander, statement fireplaces sure to be the focal point of the home. The team at Victory Surfaces also works with architects and builders to design fireplaces for new construction, and has set themselves apart in the industry with their expert knowledge of a wide range of surface materials and construction techniques. “We survey what is wanting to be done and what the possibilities are, whether it is a remodel or new build,” says Todd. “And then we start selecting surfaces.” With a fireplace, a stone or other non-combustible surface is often the best choice, and a visit to the Victory Surface showroom offers a range of possibilities including natural stone and porcelain slabs, carved limestone, ceramic tile, and even concrete. Todd encourages homeowners to consider each component of the fireplace, from the hearth (which raises it off the ground), to the firebox and surround (where the fire will sit), to the mantle and legs (which frame the firebox), and the overmantle (the surface above the mantle). Though he recommends that they coordinate, they do not all need to be the same material, and some of the most striking fireplaces incorporate different finishes. Whatever the vision, the designers and technicians at Victory Surfaces work with each client to ensure it comes to light in the finished product. |
If your fireplace is unused because it's underwhelming or out-of-date, it likely just needs a little inspiration to get things heated up again.
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For more information on fireplace design and remodel services at Victory Surfaces, visit the website at victorysurfaces.com or stop in the showroom, located at 5720 Kopetsky Drive, Suite J, on the south side of Indianapolis. Follow @victorysurfaces on Instagram for fireplace inspiration and all the latest on stone and terrazzo.