Homes.com set out to uncover what Americans want in a dream home by conducting a survey. They asked 2,000 people to envision their dream home. Across the board, fireplaces were a top priority for people of all ages.

A traditional fireplace mantel not only has a warm and inviting design; it also serves as a place to showcase treasures.

The fall season is upon us. The leaves are changing. There’s a chill in the air. It’s the perfect time to replace the inoperable fireplace that’s taking up precious wall space, or the outdated unit that long ago lost its luster.

Whether to mount a TV over a fireplace continues to be a hotly debated issue by designers.

Ortal recently partnered with DesignAgency on the installation of a contemporary Ortal fireplace at the Fairmont Tremblant, a landmark ski-in, ski-out hotel in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.

“Ooh, look—the room has a fireplace, too.”

Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, designer, or architect, Ortal can help you prepare for your next modern fireplace installation and anticipate challenges along the way to help you avoid costly and time-consuming setbacks.

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.