Embers of Elegance: The Artistry of Unique Fireplace Designs by Ancient Surfaces

The fireplace, often the heart of a home, is not just a source of warmth but also a canvas for artistic expression. In this journey, we explore the embers of elegance through a series of unique limestone mantle designs, each telling a story of craftsmanship, history, and aesthetic beauty.

Vintage Limestone Mantles
Classical Mantle Designs
Ancient Surfaces Artistry
Heritage Fireplace Mantles
Timeless Stone Craftsmanship
Rustic Limestone Elegance
Architectural Antique Mantles
Old-World Charm Limestones
Heirloom-Quality Mantles
Historic Stone Fireplaces
Artisan-Carved Limestone
Traditional Mantle Aesthetics
Luxurious Ancient Stonework
Bespoke Limestone Fireplaces
Antiquity-Inspired Mantles

Our journey begins with a grand stone fireplace, its surface etched with the whispers of time and artistic devotion. The intricate detailing and robust structure speak of a bygone era, where every chisel mark was a stroke of artistry. The warm hues of the stone invite stories to be told and memories to be made, all while basking in the glow of this historic masterpiece.

Next, we delve into the dance of craftsmanship and elegance. Here, intricate patterns weave a tapestry of visual delight, demonstrating the unparalleled skill of artisans from a time long past. Each curve and crevice tells a story, inviting us to trace the journey of its creation.

In our third image, we find a vintage limestone fireplace of understated elegance. Here, simplicity and history converge, creating a harmonious display of beauty and functionality. The subtle detailing and worn edges speak of years of use, of fires lit and stories shared, making this piece a timeless addition to any space.

Our journey continues with an image that celebrates the beauty of age and wear. Here, time has left its indelible mark, adding character and depth to the historic fireplace. The worn surfaces and faded details tell a story of resilience, of standing the test of time and continuing to provide warmth and beauty.

Our visual journey concludes with a final ode to these unique reclaimed limestone fireplaces, each a masterpiece of design and a keeper of stories. These structures, rich in history and craftsmanship, stand as testaments to the artistry of the past and the enduring allure of functional beauty.

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A Visual Ode to Artistry and Elegance: Unraveling the Tapestry of Design

Gather close as we discover the enduring charm and sophistication of antique limestone fireplace mantels, a signature offering by Ancient Surfaces. These mantels, steeped in history, bring not just warmth but a piece of the past into your living spaces. In this exploration, we delve into the unique characteristics that make these antique treasures sought-after by homeowners and designers alike.

Antique limestone fireplace mantels by Ancient Surfaces are more than just functional elements; they are pieces of art with a rich heritage. Originating from various parts of Europe, each mantel has a story to tell. From the rustic farmhouses of the French countryside to the grand estates of Italy, these mantels have been carefully salvaged and restored, retaining their historical significance and beauty.

What sets these mantels apart is the unparalleled craftsmanship. Skilled artisans, using techniques passed down through generations, have intricately restored each piece. The motifs and designs vary, from simple, understated lines to elaborate floral and figurative carvings, each reflecting the era and region of its origin.

Despite their age, antique limestone fireplace mantels by Ancient Surfaces blend seamlessly into various interior design styles. Whether it’s the centerpiece in a classic, traditional home or a striking contrast in a modern minimalist space, these mantels adapt, adding character and warmth to any room.

Ancient Surfaces’ antique limestone fireplace mantels are more than just additions to a home; they are investments in timeless beauty. Each piece, rich in history and artistry, promises to transform your space, creating an ambiance of elegance and warmth that only a piece with a storied past can offer. Embrace the charm of yesteryear with these exquisite mantels, and let your home tell a story of elegance and history.

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Embracing the Past: The Chronicles of Limestone Mantles

In a time when the world was younger, when the conveniences of modern life were yet to be conceived, the art of home-making was steeped in tradition and craftsmanship. The heart of this tradition was the mantle, not the sleek, minimalist designs we see today, but limestone mantles, sculpted by skilled hands and imbued with centuries of history.

These mantles, crafted from the bones of the earth itself, were more than just decorative elements. They were the hearth around which the tapestry of daily life was spun, a tapestry that was as much about the warmth of family as it was about the comfort of home.

In the grand manors of the Middle Ages, these limestone mantles were the backdrop for intimate family gatherings, intellectual exchanges, and even the quiet moments of solitude. Home was not just a place, but an experience, a time to connect, to share, to engage.

Antique
Limestone
Mantles
Living Room
Fireplace
Hearth
Carved Stone
Vintage
Ornamental
Architectural Salvage
Period Features
Restoration
Traditional
Elegant
Classic Design
Intricate Detailing
Timeless Appeal
Custom Carved
Hand-Carved
Chiseled from Stone
Limestone Mantle

Fast forward to today, and these limestone mantles have found a new role in our modern world. They serve as a bridge to the past, a touch of history in our contemporary homes. Amidst the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced lives, they offer a sanctuary, a place to slow down, to reflect, to connect with a simpler time.

Historical Significance
French Limestone
English Country Style
Renaissance
Georgian
Victorian
Handcrafted
Weathered Finish
Luxury
Antique
Limestone
Mantles
Living Room
Fireplace
Hearth
Carved Stone
Vintage
Ornamental
Architectural Salvage
Period Features
Restoration
Traditional
Elegant
Classic Design
Intricate Detailing
Timeless Appeal
Custom Carved
Hand-Carved
Chiseled from Stone
Limestone Mantle
Amber Interiors

Imagine, if you will, sitting by the warm glow of a fire, the limestone mantle above radiating a comforting heat. As you close your eyes, you can almost hear the echoes of the past, the murmur of ancient conversations, the laughter, the shared wisdom. You’re not just sitting by a fire; you’re stepping into a narrative, a narrative that spans centuries.

Even in the great outdoors, these limestone mantles by Ancient Surfaces hold their own. They stand, weathered but resilient, against the backdrop of nature. Whether under the open sky or nestled in a garden, they offer a unique experience, a chance to commune with nature while basking in history.

Every scratch, every mark, every weathered edge on these mantles is a testament to their journey through time. They bear the imprint of countless fires, the residue of myriad stories, the memory of endless hours of warmth and companionship.

So, as you design or renovate your home, consider the chronicles of the limestone mantle. It’s not just about adding a unique piece to your space; it’s about adding a chapter to a story, a story that you become a part of every time you sit by the fire.

To the limestone mantles, the vessels of history, the hearths of timeless rituals, and the sanctuaries in our modern world, we pay homage. We gather around them, live with them, and in doing so, we become a part of their story, a story that is as enduring as the limestone itself.

As we conclude this journey through time, we at Ancient Surfaces invite you to explore the world of limestone mantles. Each mantle has a story to tell, a story that is waiting to be a part of your home, your life.

To the centuries-old limestone mantles, the silent narrators of history, the timeless hearths of life’s warmth, and the sanctuaries in our modern world, we salute you.

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Call us at: 212-461-0245 // 212-913-9588

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30 Inspiring Cottage Ideas in Stone

Cottage are usually well known in several countries European nations and are a homier version of a farmhouse is such a thing was even possible in the first place!

An exhaustive number of Cottage comes in various locations in France, Italy and even Eastern Europe and Russia. A cottage is frequently as spacious or small as you desire but typically is under 1,500 sqft. Cottage provide a house abroad experience if you ever decided to build one on a spacious multi-acreage parcel of land.

The preferred cottage style is one you imagine out of natural ecological material such as wood or stone, with some contemporary furniture pieces thrown into the interior design. Whether a Montana style mountain fishing lodge or a warm Mexican hacienda adobe, all cottage share some basic common element focusing on simplicity and wabi-sabi.

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Chahaignes - Chateau de la Jaille (10) (w)

If your house is reminiscent of an outdated European villa, you wouldn’t wish to choose something like concrete Decking that is more appropriate for a modern soho gallery setting.

Cottage furniture is normally envisioned with a washed off light painted and finding the proper furniture can be well worth the effort.

Stone and wood dominates the interiors of Cottages and the ideal flooring for a cottage is a big sized antique limestone flooring pavers coupled with ancient reclaimed stone fireplace the end up working off of each other in making the cottage even more lived-in and homie.

-Kelso Dining Chairs-Kelso Lounge Chairs-Kelso Square Folding Dining Tablein the terrace of aCountry House in Sonoma;Designer: The Wiseman GroupLandscape: Marta Fry

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Outdoor Stone Fireplace Ideas that will make you sizzle

Are you having problems coming up with the right design ideas for your outdoor stone fireplace?

Do you feel like what’s out there on the market looks so cookie cutter and low quality that it could cheapen instead of enrich your backyard experience?

If you are hoping to include a unique looking stone fireplace into your wild outdoors you just might be in luck.

Installing a real elegant stone fireplace could be a step in the right direction. Tired of the same ole copy paste Slam Depot stacked stone ‘fireplace kits’ that are “so easy you can install them yourself”?!

They are quite frankly the saddest thing to look at and are littered across the dot-com world that import all sorts of substandard goods guaranteed not to impress you nor enrich your outdoor living experience.

Poof! So glad we got that out of our system for a change. So now back to our regular dose of kumbaya and political correctness…

Here are some real Outdoor Stone Fireplace Masterpieces that deserve to be in your Backyard and should be worthy of setting the stage for your upcoming best memories you’ll be creating with your love ones.

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Top 10 most beautiful ancient fireplace

Sometimes functional items are designed so beautifully that they blur the line between architecture and art. The stone fireplace surrounds in our collection are beautifully hand carved ancient works of art.
As the evenings growing colder, no wonder many of us start turning on the glow of their beloved fireplaces. Many of us think that it might be a little too late to remodel their fireplaces and replace them with the real deal. Well, think again! With some extra motivation fueled by your desire to enjoy your winter season in a European flair, you can have your own masterpiece.

Here are the top 10 most beautiful, inspiring, ancient and cozy fireplaces that maybe still within your grasp:

342N1314 — Our primal connection to art and fire have gone hand-in-hand ever since cavemen created art on the walls of caves by firelight. This mantel fireplace gives a feeling to be simultaneously ancient and modern.

0-la-fi-hotprop-laguna-beach-compound-20141209 — The sculptural elements of this classic fireplace rival anything I saw in the castles of Europe or France! It makes you want to relax in front of the fire while listening to Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto Number 3 in G Major.” That music always makes me feel uplifted in spirit, and I think it fits the fireplace.

Bahia Serena - Newport Beach — This splendid Italian 16th century stone fireplace mantle has been restored sold and shipped to the Americas were it was installed by a team of professional master masons that have perfected to installation process down to a science

This amazing fireplace was custom designed for the client and hand carved from stone. I would listen to Bach again, but this time it would have to be “Tocata and Fugue in D Minor,” a much heavier piece.

2996700671_e202eab866_a-small — This stunning French limestone fireplace mantel was realized in the Provence style and was the main feature of this frugal French farmhouse in Provence.

total-1 — This stunning French limestone fireplace mantel was realized in the Provence style and was the main feature of this frugal French farmhouse in Provence.

Camina Di Massa-3 — This simply designed French fireplace making tradition of the 18th and 17th centuries. Its classical simplicity speaks volumes about the period in which it was conceived.

Reclaimed Mantle-Suzan-L-03 — Selecting the right piece of stone and choosing the direction of placement shows off a stunningly beautiful natural work of art. It’s an ancient piece of stone, yet it reads like a contemporary abstract painting with all the artistic carvings.

greatroom1a — This is a unique Louis XV limestone fireplace from Provence dating back to the 17th century.

Montecito-034 — Baroque and Medieval inspired bedroom fireplace with a modern flair.

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Deck your fireplace during Christmas

A fireplace is often a focal point already, but when holidays come, it takes on added significance —with Santa coming down the chimney and all. Encircle your Christmas stockings with mantel decorations to suit the holiday spirit. Once your fireplace is cheerful, it’s time to light a fire, sit back with a glass of wine and soak up that heart-warming feeling of the holidays at home.
A fireplace is always on display, but this time of year it’s especially under the spot lights, with friends and family warming up in front of a roaring fire or huddling in the living room for an evening of games or movies. The stone mantel, which usually is an added value actor throughout the year, lands a starring role around the holidays, with beautiful, stockings and string lights draped across it.
Here’s few of Ancient surfaces mantel fireplaces decorated in a very stunning way to add Christmas spirit into the room

92035061_o — A mostly white color palette with pottery, tea lights and snowflakes contrasts dark foliage and garlands. Looks beautifully matched with the Christmas tree. Gives feeling of warmth.

sedona 003 — The stone fireplace shown in here follows a Romanesque Revival or, more specifically, Romanesque style. Located in the home’s formal living room, it has a very robust and masculine look.

sedona 101 — A French Provence Antique Limestone Fireplace adorned by Garlands, flanked by stockings and decorated with Mistletoe, Red Roses and Christmas shrubbery.

P1250441 — Natural greenery, wreaths, candles, silver, gold and white … white bee lights covers this beautifully cared mantel stone fireplace that sets a truly Christmas spirit for this room.

c2fa8f4f1e8c31782350a1e97d7b4af0 — Very simple and clean fireplace, very warm yellow lights are dispersed around the fireplace and on the stove along with reindeer and a tiny Christmas tree to create a special mood and get into the Christmas holiday feeling.

DSC_0388-b — A traditional Southern Italian Fireplace with a Baroque Puglia Style Christmas Decoration focused on Angelic Cherub decoration and Sicilian ceramic in the Majolica Melograno style

DSC_0417-c — An Authentic French Pyrénée mountains Fireplace carved in the style known locally as the “Cheminee Montagnard Des Pyrénées” finished with a minimalist natural garlands, wine flasks, organic homemade Bees wax candles and an antique Candelabrum.

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Simple vs. Classical Beauties. which fireplaces will you choose?

They say nothing lasts forever, but we all know that one can own a few items that may last for generations to come. No, we’re not talking about a girl’s best friend to quote Marline Monroe. Even though our stones can’t be worn on your wrists or fingers, they still can be a crowd pleaser none the less. Installing an antique limestone fireplace in your family room can be the one design element that everyone in your family agrees with and is comforted by especially when it starts raining or snowing outside.

Pedigree (History and Provenance) of the fireplace aside, what design elements one should consider when selecting a fireplace that may last you a lifetime in some cases?

You always need to keep in mind that your fireplace selection will have to be a permanent fixture in your home and is supposed to live through any design change your room or home will be going through in the future. What would you rather go for? A well carved fireplace or a simply hand carved one? Let’s consider the positive aspects of both choices and see how they may pertain to your taste buds.

Fully carved stone mantles:

When considering a fully hand carved limestone fireplace close your eyes and think of a complex and rich multi-layered ‘Taurasi’ wine blend from ‘Campania’ that’s been well aged in oak barrels.

What nuances would your eyes savor? Can you envision tasting the Southern Italian Baroque acanthus leaves free flowing on this mantle corbeled sides or the rich and velvety pallet of the sprawling and spiraling vined foliage that can grace the front face of your unique fireplace?

Can you imagine the glowing heat radiating from inside the stone built firebox of such a captivating mantle? The reflected shadow of the flame dancing on the medieval carved limestone coupled with the intoxicating sound on the flickering burning wood becoming one with the melody of slowly decanted bottle of Barolo from Piedmont…

If you picture yourself in that frame, allow yourself to be captured by an antique well carved limestone fireplace that’s been salvaged from centuries old Renaissance or Baroque castles by Ancient Surfaces.

A fully carved fireplace of that era will define the look of your entire room and anchor your whole house with an authentic design persona.

Simple carved Fireplace:

Simply carved fireplaces allow visual evenhandedness between styles, finish patina and shade of the room and the stone of the fireplace. In a simple fireplace the design focus shifts from the carving to the actual antique limestone itself as it becomes the predominant design feature of the mantel instead of its minimal carved elements.

When it’s simple it goes with everything else right? Well yes that is true, but one has to be careful that going with everything doesn’t turn into a disappearing act where the mantle itself totally blends with its environment in the same way a window frame blends with the wall.

Simple architectural fireplaces when realized symmetrically and when created and carved under the golden ratio and the golden mean will carry more of a creative punch than most of its other ornately carved counterparts. Minimalism when portrayed in well-defined and harmonic ratios, guarantees you a powerful visual output and a soothing organic feel that will satisfy your design vision for that space.

With a simple yet elegant antique hand carved fireplace you’ll be looking more at the architecture, structure and patina of the fireplace and how its various component simply integrate together with your space.

As a wise man once said: “the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.” William of Ockham (c. 1287–1347)

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Top 5 tips to choosing your Outdoor Fireplace

Only second to an outdoor limestone fountain, a fireplace is an architectural element that’s guaranteed to make your backyard the place where everyone wants to be. It easily becomes the focal point of an outdoor living space, drawing both friends and family together around its warm glitter.

An outdoor fireplace that’s hand carved out of limestone can turn a regular yard to an ‘Al Fresco’ living room. Adding a harmonious and exciting space for kids to hover over as they roast marshmallows over a rustic wood burning flame or relaxing with a glass of wine in the evening with friends and loved ones are some of the numerous mood and climate altering applications of any outdoor antique limestone fireplaces you’ll find at Ancient Surfaces.

Choosing a fireplace may seems like a daunting task until you contact us. It pays to work with a company that has 50 years of field experience in the art of fireplace design, making, reclaiming and installation. So if you’re dreaming of adding an outdoor fireplace to your yard here are the top 5 key things to consider beforehand:

Increase resale price: Studies like the CV report have shown the RIO or return on investment on both, outdoor and indoor fireplaces are the highest out of all other remodeling projects you can undertake in your home. If you are considering selling your home sometime in the future, an outdoor fireplace can be very beneficial at sale time. Accented with comfy outdoor living furniture, it will help potential buyers to easily imagine themselves in that space.

Select your burn- fireplace vs. fire pit: Built-in fire pit can be either contemporary or old world looking. Ironically, on many occasions, we’ve converted ancient rounded and rectangular wellheads into fire pits. Their lower height 20 to 22 inches allow them to be placed virtually anywhere in your backyard as they embrace your open space without any visual interruption.

Stone fireplaces are more majestic and monumental in nature. They’ll help you add an architectural presence to any given outdoor location. Offset your fireplace a few feet from a neighbor’s property wall will help you turn a major outdoor design minus into a plus. The fireplaces can be the same as the ones you are used to seeing inside villa style homes in Europe.

Wood vs Gas burning: You can always purchase a prefabricated firebox that range in price from a couple thousand dollars to brand name boxes that are double that figure. Your other option is to have a mason build you a wood/gas burning box from scratch. In both cases you’ll still need to stone clad or stone tile the return and chimney stack in a stone element that complement the stone fireplace mantle you are after.

Without going into your city ordinances and local construction codes on wood vs. gas burning fireplaces or debating the environmental impact of each option, we believe that from an aesthetic and design standpoint a wood burning fireplace offers a unique source of heat that warms people on so many levels while providing you with a mesmerizing audio-visual show that is like no other. In most cases, people settle for a dual Wood/gas burning firebox that offers its users a flexible solution, that is both, romantic and practical as the flames continue to burst out heat long after the logs has turned into cider.

Built-in versus freestanding: Installing an outdoor fireplace is a big architectural plus no matter how you look at it. However, before settling on a plan, think about how you envision yourself using the space. Do you have an open or roofed patio? Do you have an expanded opened-air space just a few step away from your pool of Jacuzzi that can be complemented with a freestanding fire pit?

Consider, but don’t be narrowed by your home’s architecture: The fire pit shown here from ancient surfaces has a lustrous, modern look yet fits in charmingly with any traditional old world looking home.

If you are having trouble imagining how a certain fireplace would look with your home, consider taking your search into the digital realm by starting a free Houzz profile and a Houzz idea book. Start piling in some of the hundreds of photo ideas we have parked in our Houzz database.

One good advice we could give you though, is to choose a stone chimney-piece you really enjoy looking at. Whether it’s the focus of your pool patio or centered on a side property wall, chances are you’ll hopefully live with it for a long time.

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Captivating antique limestone patina hundreds of years in the making.

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At Antique Surfaces we are humbled by one of the most extensive stock of mesmerizing architectural antiques ever to be assembled under one roof. As a first tier reclaimer of various stone elements we have been lucky to work directly on unique reclamation and restoration projects from around the world. We help bring into our clientele homes a much needed connoisseur-ship backed by a solid 40 years old field expertise.

The restoration process of any original carved stone element is undertaken with extreme care and is focused on meticulous attention to details. Salvaging and restoring limestone from privately owned ruined villas, farmhouses, manors and even castles gives us an unobstructed birdseye view and insight into the boutique European stone reclamation business.

Every time we reclaim a never seen before antique limestone fireplace design, we are quickly reminded of the vast and seemingly unlimited ingenuity of stone carvers and stone designers of past centuries.

Being in proximity to antique limestone objects of infinite beauty and character turns anyone into a firm believer in the importance and need to preserve our collective carving traditions from the unforgiving wrecking balls of progress and the unstoppable path of modernization and standardization.

The patina created by centuries of exposure to natural elemental forces is in its own right an art worthy of preserving and safeguarding. Our Arcane limestone fireplaces don’t even look like they belong to our earthly realm and are considered by many top designers and architects to be the pinnacle of antique fireplaces.

If you like this current blog entry we invite you to keep on browse the rest of our entries as they contain more images of dreamy, in situ, antique stone fireplaces that are part of our premium Ancient Surfaces stone mantles collection.

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Call us at: 212-461-0245 // 212-913-9588

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