Fireplace Mantel Design Ideas

Decorating inspiration includes easy-to-install mantel shelves, custom stone mantels, hand-carved marble mantels, and traditional wood mantels. Mantel shelves are available in many types of wood, timber, and cast stone, the perfect, affordable update to any room. Our mantels shelves are easy to install and available in standard and custom sizes. Simply hang a favorite picture above your mantel shelf and add a few accessories; you’ll add a beautiful focal point to any room. Below is one of our most popular mantels, the Commodore.

Posted on August 5, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

How To Add A ‘Campfire’ Pit to Your Outdoor Living Space

Adding a heating product to your outdoor living space is the easiest way to extend the usefulness of the area beyond the spring and summer months. Those lucky enough to have big backyards often choose to install a fireplace or fire pit for precisely this purpose, and are subsequently able to enjoy their patio or deck all year round. But what can you do if you have a smaller yard or simply aren't willing to sacrifice the amount of real estate required for a full-sized outdoor fireplace? We recommend adding a 'campfire' pit instead. These products, also known as fire pit rings, are very compact, which means you can install them almost anywhere.

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

Create a Beautiful Focal Point With a Stunning Fire Pit

There’s something about fire that draws people in; adding a fire pit focal point to your outdoor room is a great way to add warmth and ambiance to your patio or deck area. Your friends and family will enjoy roasting marshmallows on cool summer nights! MantelsDirect.com offers fire pits and fire bowls for every style, décor, and budget. Take a look at a few of our favorites.

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

Extend Your Outdoor Living Space with an Outdoor Fireplace

If you're only using your deck or patio as an entertainment area in the summer, then you are shortchanging yourself and your guests. With the addition of an outdoor fireplace or fire pit and a few small tweaks to the landscaping, you can convert your backyard into a cozy retreat that can be enjoyed in any season. Here's how you can extend the utility of your outdoor living space throughout the fall, winter, and spring months, too.

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

Easy Tips for Decorating Your Fireplace Mantel

Traditionally your fireplace is the focal point of any room as people are drawn to the comfort and beauty they emit. Whether you have a wood burning fireplace or electric fireplace, decorating your mantel is a great way to add a pop of color or an interesting accent piece to express your individuality. Add a fresh look with flowers and greenery to your fireplace mantel surround. Arrange different sizes and shaped vases in a unique pattern to add color and dimension to a traditional fireplace.

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

New Product Spotlight: Oakland Living Fire Pits & Chimineas

No backyard is complete without a heating and cooking apparatus to help you enjoy the great outdoors year-round. Of course, people have been preparing food on barbecues for decades; but standard grills lack the heating aspect that allows you to utilize your outdoor space when the weather turns chilly. Appliances that can pull double duty, such as Oakland Living Fireplaces & Chimineas, are more highly valued by today's consumers.

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

Product Spotlight: Fireplace Accessories

Like any good outfit, the devil is in the details. A great necklace or pair of pumps turns a shirt and skirt into an ensemble. Similarly, Mantels Direct makes it easy to accessorize your fireplace. We've highlighted some of our favorite must-have mantel accessories for the season from screens to tools, log holders and carrying totes.

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Christopher Atkinson | Read More

How To Pick The Right Outdoor Fireplace For Your Home

Adding a home hearth product to your backyard or patio is an easy way to create a cozy, relaxing environment for entertaining friends and family. What might not be so easy, however, is figuring out exactly which kind of outdoor fireplace to purchase. Some people prefer the authenticity of a wood or charcoal burning outdoor fireplace, while others appreciate the convenience of natural gas. Then there are those who, due to space limitations, would rather have a fire pit. All three categories of fireplaces have distinct benefits, so before making a decision, we recommend taking a closer look at the different types.

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

Add Warmth & Style with a Ventless Gel Fireplace

Imagine being able to put a fireplace inside or outside of your house without having to worry about installation or ventilation. Now imagine being able to pick up and move that fireplace to another location without any hassle. Sound intriguing? We thought so. Ventless Gel Fireplaces are among the most sophisticated and stylish products available from Mantels Direct. These hassle-free fireplaces are fueled by bio-ethanol gel and require no chimneys or external gas hook-ups to provide heat or look great anywhere in your home.

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Christopher Atkinson | Read More

Product Spotlight: Perfect Outdoor Fireplace Kits

Have you been putting off the purchase of an outdoor fireplace because of the prospect of a long and messy assembly process? We don't blame you. Who has time to deal with mixing mortar or finding the right glues and fasteners for the project? This is one of the main reasons why Mantels Direct is proud to include Perfect Outdoor Fireplace kits in our inventory of home hearth products.

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

New Product Spotlight: Deeco Chimineas and Fire Pits

One of the fastest growing trends in the U.S. today is the concept of outdoor living. People all over the country are creating outdoor living spaces that extend the comforts of the home into the backyard. Lounge chairs, eating areas, and chimineas or fire pits for cooking are typically all you need to get started, while installing additional fixtures such as outdoor fireplaces or windscreens will allow you to enjoy the space all year round.

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

Add Value to Your Home With a Fireplace Mantel Surround or Fireplace Mantel

According to top real estate agencies, home sales stay strong from late April to early August. If your home is on the market, but you haven’t had the right buyer come knocking down your door, it may be a good idea to make a few small, affordable updates to get people excited about your home and make it stand out from the competition. MantelsDirect.com has been helping homeowners update their fireplaces for nearly ten years.

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

New Product Spotlight: Buschbeck Outdoor Fireplaces

When setting up your outdoor living space, one of the toughest choices you have to make is what kind of hearth product to buy. Should you go with a simple fire pit that is good for cooking but may be a bit too small to generate enough warmth for the coldest nights? Or should you instead buy one of those large outdoor fireplaces that will keep you toasty but can be a bit awkward to cook with? Some folks try one or the other and wind up regretting whatever decision they made, while others leave nothing to chance and buy both a fire pit and a fireplace just to be safe.

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

Fireplace Facelift: Replacing your mantel will add excitement to your décor

Is your fireplace looking a little tired? Or does your builder’s mantel still look as dull as it did when you moved in? You know that a fireplace can be the perfect focal point of a room, but with years of neglect, it can just as easily turn into an eyesore. If you're not happy with your current fireplace, it can be hard to design around it. By updating and re-facing your current mantel, you can give your fireplace and overall room a much needed design overhaul.

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

Enjoying The Outdoors With Fire Pit Rings

If you've ever spent a night in the great outdoors, then you know nothing tops the fun of sitting around a campfire with friends or family while cooking hot dogs and roasting marshmallows over an open flame. People of all ages are instinctively attracted to campfires because they provide the perfect setting for raucous stories, intimate chats, and genuine bonding.

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

New Product Spotlight: Buschbeck Bio Ethanol Fireplaces

German engineering is revered the world over because of a long list of products that seamlessly integrate form and function while adhering to the strictest quality standards around. From the graceful lines of a Montblanc fountain pen to the iconic contours of a Porsche Boxster, consumers are assured of getting peerless performance and superior style whenever they see a "Made in Germany" label.

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

New Product Spotlight: Dagan Outdoor Fire Pits

If you're looking for an affordable fire pit in an attractive package, then Dagan is the brand for you. Dagan combines the very best features of outdoor fireplaces, such as superior steel construction, weather resistance, artistic design, and easy operation, with budget-friendly prices so consumers never have to sacrifice quality in the name of savings. In addition, every product from this manufacturer offers fantastic 360-degree views of the fire for maximum enjoyment from any vantage point, and comes with essential accessories like a wood poker and cover so you can begin using it right out of the box.

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

Patina Products Outdoor Fire Pits & Fire Bowls

Summer is nearing and spending time outdoors enjoying the fresh air, catching up with family and friends is worth looking forward too! MantelsDirect.com has a new line of fire pits from Patina Products, a laid back company off the coast of California, where warm days and cool nights make outdoor patio living second nature. Making fire pit sculpting into an art, their specially designed Computer Numeric Control (CNC) plasma cutters make it simple to cut virtually any design into the side of a pit. They offer 17 standard patterns, but can create custom images and logos embedded into the pits so when the flame catches the light, your brand is set ablaze - a unique corporate gift or present for the sports lover in your life.

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

Choosing an Outdoor Fireplace: 3 Options to Consider

Outdoor fireplaces make a terrific addition to any backyard. They not only improve the visual appeal of your patio, but also add functions such as cooking or heating, which means they're as practical as they are beautiful. Buying a fireplace or fire pit is the first step towards creating a comfortable, inviting area for your family and friends to enjoy all year long.

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More

DEECO Outdoor Chimineas & Fire Pits

MantelsDirect.com is excited to announce the launch of DEECO, a family owned and operated manufacturer of fun and functional chimineas and durable fire pits as stunning garden accents and lifestyle accessories. With summer looming upon us, there's no better time than now to spruce up your backyard or patio space with a cast aluminum chiminea or outdoor fire pit, a sure show stopper for your family and friends. Deeco products are low maintenance and ready to use throughout the year. This product line is artistically designed to fit any outdoor room. Each fire pit or chiminea style includes a spark guard to protect against unruly fire embers and a protective weather cover.

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Matt Dorrance | Read More