Building A Stone Fireplace...
Think Outside the (Fire)Box!

When building a stone fireplace,  look beyond the usual "suspects,"  i.e., sources, for inspiration.  Think not only outside the firebox . . . but out-
side the firePLACE, as well!     Stone is an incredible artistic medium for creative expression and -- for millenia -- has been used to erect every-
thing from temples to tombs.

Why not look at other architectural and sculptural elements for  exciting ideas when building a stone fireplace? One that is truly unique. One that reflects both your individuality and your personality!

Welcome to a new way of seeing what is possible for your fireplace de-
sign!   By the time you finish reading and viewing the photographs in this two part series,  you will never look at a fireplace in the same way again. More  importantly,  it will stir your imagination and curiosity to seek addi-
tional  sources  of  inspiration for building a stone fireplace that you may have not previously considered!

Enjoy Your Journey Of Discovery!

Creative Stonework above & at top, right, by Ancient Art Of Stone

PART I OF II

(For Both Indoor & Outdoor Fireplaces)

One of my favorite sources of inspiration for designing and building a stone fireplace is to look at  stone  walls  and  fences  --  particularly dry stone (without mortar)  walls  and  fences.     Dry stone walling techniques have evolved over the centuries into a veritable art form,   and  the  pride  with which many practitioners of this art take in their work is enviable.    It is a nearly  global  phenomenon  and, thanks to a growing number of helpful re-
sources, this age-old art form is making a comeback with a new generation of enthusiasts!

The four close-up images that follow provide just a  small  sampling  of  dry stone walls and what is possible when building a stone fireplace.   Note the dramatic differences in type, size, shape, color, texture, and pattern in the placement or arrangement of the stones.     The potential combinations are virtually limitless!

Pictured  below,  left (Photo Credit: Royston Vasey), is a striking dry stone wall by British artist and sculptor, Andy Goldsworthy.    The intricate stone wall pictured below, right, is located in Bali.

The beautiful stone walls pictured in the close-ups below were created by British stone masonry company, Riverdale Stone.    Both very colorful, the design on the right boasts an unusual herringbone pattern.

Each of the four dry stone wall designs pictured  above  could  readily  be worked into a fireplace mantel and/or overmantel design  --  in whole or in part -- or any combination thereof. With a little imagination and creativity, countless design schemes for building a stone fireplace can be created  by incorporating any one of the stone wall designs pictured above!

To  give you a better understanding of how  the  use of decorative stonework in wall construction can be  applied  to fireplace design, the image below (with close-up at right) provides a good vis-
ual  example and overall perspective of one of many possibilities for creating a truly unique stone fireplace. Crafted by master stone mason Chuck Eblacker of Eblacker & Stone,  based in Rochester, New York, USA,  it is the focal point of a wine cellar . . . except,  perhaps, for the wine itself!

See one of Eblacker & Stone's Dry Stone Outdoor Fireplaces!

Another  stone  artisan  with  a   very unique and distinctive style  is  Robert Pierson of Pierson Masonry.    Residing
in  a  remote  area of the Sierra Neva-
da Mountains  in  California,  USA,  he derives his inspiration from nature and the wildlife that abounds around him.

Pictured  at right is a section of an in-
tricate  stone  (and brick)  wilderness wall mural created by him.     Crafted
with bricks, quartz, ledger stone,  riv-
er rock and granite, its undulating ter-
rain and variations in depth evoke the natural environment.     The multi-col-
ored stonework above the trees repre-
sents mountains, sky and clouds.

Pictured below is another section of the same stone wall mural.    Crafted from the materials referenced above, in addition  to  slate,  it  features  a raccoon walking along a streambed.

Wilderness  and wildlife scenes such as these would be great for a striking overmantel  --  that area extending upward from the top of  the  fireplace mantel shelf to the ceiling.    Alternatively, it could be reduced in size and placed along the frieze -- the area between the top of the firebox opening and the bottom of the mantel shelf.   Either way, it would be a striking ad-
dition to your fireplace design!

Pictured  at right and below are two more  examples  of  Robert Pierson's extraordinary  stone wall mural work. The beachfront scene  at  right  fea-
tures  snowy  plovers  scampering a-
midst the froth of ocean waves rush-
ing ashore.    It is crafted from sand-
stone, quartz, serpentine,  and  bou-
quet canton ledger, as well as sculp-
tured accents.

The majestic mountain lion mural pictured below was created with ledger stone, quartz, limestone and granite.    Though part of an outdoor stone wall, it would make a dramatic overmantel above your fireplace!

To see more of Robert Pierson's unusually creative work, please view the six minute video that follows.

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR PART II:

Creative Building Outdoor Fireplace Ideas...
Gravity-Defying Stonework!

Please check back often or subscribe to our  RSS feed,  as  we  fre- quently add creative and exciting ideas for building a stone fireplace to our website.

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