Energized by the success of the popular, new Ortal fireplace design competition with Dwell in Los Angeles in March 2017, Ortal is pleased to spring into the May design season in New York.

The kitchen is the most used room in the average home (a quick Google search confirms this). It’s no surprise, really. Food brings us together, and for the culinarily-gifted among us, cooking is often much more than a necessary chore—it’s an enjoyable, creative outlet, and even a stress reliever. Make this important space all your own with a look that captures your style and personality. We present three unique design ideas below.

How you arrange your furniture around an existing fireplace or design a room with a fireplace from the ground up depends largely on how you want to use the space. Below we present five ideas for creating an inviting seating arrangement around a fireplace.

An average fireplace helps heat a home. An outstanding fireplace provides warmth, acts as the focal point of a space, and inspires people to come together.