by the fire

When my husband and I bought our home in December 2020, a home with architectural character was nonnegotiable on our list, but my husband was adamant about avoiding the headaches that come with the standard Victorians in our area. Luckily, the week we decided to start looking for homes a new listing came on the market for a 1965 cottage-styled house, and we found our home. The home, obviously influenced by the trends of the 1960s, sunken living room and paneling in the basement included, had undergone an interior renovation in the early 1990s that made the house livable while we have taken off small chunks of updates. Removing the carpet from the main level was essential in raising a toddler and multiple pets, but one project we have yet to tackle is the renovation of the fireplace. An element of the home we originally loved, but upon closer look needed a lot of work.

Tom Smith Circle house existing fireplace at the holidays.

What did this closer look entail? Well, my experience with building codes meant it didn’t pass the gut test and then we consulted with a local chimney inspector. From his inspection, he quickly made a list: 1. Our chimney originally wasn’t built tall enough; 2. The firebox construction wasn’t appropriate for the appliance insert; 3. The materials surrounding the box did not meet the clearance requirements for combustible materials. Having this quick list, I instantly knew our stockings would not be hanging by the fire for some time.

 Que Mariah Carrie’s All I Want for Christmas because all I want for Christmas is a working fireplace that is as functional as it is beautiful. Building codes and product research are some of the most comfortable aspects of what I do. It is an insightful way to learn about accepted practices, change your home that won’t tank the value, and quickly elevate your space. I have taken this challenge and created an opportunity where I outlined some key essentials in understanding fireplaces.