Winter may be on its last breath, but where I live, the days are still chilly and the nights even more so. Cuddling up under a blanket with a glass of wine next to a crackling fire is still the perfect evening activity. So today’s post is about unique, stunning and creative fireplace mantels.
Converted Railway Station
This amazing fireplace sits in the living/dining area of a converted railway station outside of Gstaad (Switzerland). Architect Antonie Bertherat-Kioes came across the old train station when she was hunting for a holiday chalet for her family and decided to re-design it into a vacation home. They kept some (surprising) elements like two huge transformers which sit right in the kitchen, and (less surprisingly) the original control panel with its built-in fireplace.
Photos: Schöner Wohnen & Elle Decor Spain
Kakelugn in Stockholm
These types of fireplaces, called “kakelugn” in Swedish, are very common in old Swedish apartments, but they are usually quite understated with white tile and small metal doors that open so you can see the fire. This show stopping version sits in a gorgeous flat in the Old Town section of Stockholm in a building designed in 1878 by architect Isak Gustaf Clason (who also did Östermalms Saluhall, an indoor food market which is a must-see on anybody’s visit Stockholm list).
Photos: Eklund Stockholm
Tree Trunk Fireplace
This tree with a built-in fireplace can be found in the Jackson Hole, Wyoming home of a former logging company owner. The tree is actually from California – it was cut down into smaller pieces and transported to Wyoming, re-assembled in the house and fitted with a fireplace!
Photo: Businessweek
Seashell Fantasia
The fireplace below started out as a regular brick construction in the home of former editor of Elle Decor and House Beautiful, Marian McEvoy. McEvoy has a well-known affinity for glue guns (in fact, she has even written a book about it, “Glue Gun Decor”), and one day decided that her fireplace needed a makeover. She painted it black and went to work with her favorite glue gun and thousands of seashells. I’m normally not that fond of decorating with seashells (except for a few on bookshelves or as wall decor here and there) but I have to admit I really like the result.
Photo: Domino Magazine
Gorgeous Simplicity
This stone fireplace is one of many in a stunning 2-floor penthouse apartment in the middle of Stockholm (which looks more like a country home than an urban flat in my opinion). It’s located in one of the bedrooms, and out of all the different fireplace mantels designs in this post, is my favorite. I love the traditional stone construction and how simple, yet elegant it is. The shelves are perfect for favorite photos or trinkets, or fabulous left bare as they are in the picture.
Photo: Fredegårds Fastighetsbyrå
For more fireplaces, also see my electric fireplace post
