Atmosphere is a critical component of the restaurant dining experience—in fact, some studies have found it’s just as important as an establishment’s menu.¹ Lighting, artwork, spacing, music, and furnishings commingle to create the character of a space.

Burning wood for heat is a practice as old as humanity, yet it’s no longer necessary to the extent it once was. Technological advancements have inspired the development of cleaner, more efficient, elegant modern fireplaces that provide all the benefits of wood-burning hearths with significantly less maintenance and virtually effortless operation.

In a previous post, we talked about how to upgrade your mantel so that it belongs in the 21^st Century. Now it’s time to modernize the rest of your fireplace with the latest designs and the most up-to-date technology. Whether you have a Traditional Fireplace complete with a mantel and hearth, or a contemporary Tunnel Fireplace with a see-through design, the following features and add-ons can give you more beauty, safety, and comfort.

Architects and builders have trusted Ortal fireplaces for over three decades. That’s because we manufacture modern gas fireplaces that meet modern needs—fireplaces known throughout the world for their beauty, efficiency, and safety. Keep reading to learn more about the advantages of an Ortal fireplace.

Mantels may be associated with the traditional fireplaces of yesterday, but that doesn’t mean they’ve gone the way of the chimney and the wood-burning fireplace. Indeed, modern fireplaces haven’t killed the mantel; they’ve forced it to evolve. Updated designs and new materials have transformed the most time-honored fireplace element and brought it into to the 21^st Century. Here are a few examples of people who took their fireplace mantel to the next level with clever design.

A fireplace in the kitchen? Why not? They’ve become nearly as popular as islands and stainless steel appliances, in recent years, and the reason is simple. They’re unique. Unexpected. Enchanting. Cozy. Last, but not least, they’re warm, which makes all the difference if you struggle with long winters, big kitchens, and cold floors.

Between the merely functional and the purely aesthetic lies the true home. Those spaces that invite you in, then make you feel safe, comfy and relaxed. The rooms that appeal not only to the eyes, but to the whole person. But what does it? What separates a pleasant room from a practical room? How can you design a space that’s as welcoming as it is stunning? From a wall fireplace to a chunky wool blanket, here are a few ideas that can help you achieve that “lived-in” quality.

One common problem homeowners face when renovating their homes, if they want to add a fireplace, is where it can be placed in the room. In the past, you were limited to specific locations due to venting requirements. These inconveniences required making alterations to your interior designs, resulting in a fireplace in a location where you really did not want it.

It’s spring. Time to sweep away the dust, clean out the closets and bring out the flowers. For many, it’s also the perfect time to rethink the kitchen or remodel the master bedroom. If you want a spring project that’s more ambitious than wiping down the counters and less intensive than a full home renovation, consider replacing your old mantle, hearth, and chimney with a modern direct vent fireplace. Here are a few modern fireplace designs that will inspire your spring makeover.

It’s easy to fall in love with a Lyric indoor fireplace. Beautiful, cozy, versatile, efficient—it’s everything you could want in one convenient package. Here’s why Ortal’s latest line of modern fireplaces is winning hearts and minds all over the world.