Weve reached that time of yearas temperatures cool down, we embrace the most romanticnotion of cabin fever, one filled with glowing indoor fire, satisfying drinks, good company, and absolute ease.
Fireplaces are often classified as the focal point of every room. After all, it was not too long ago that they were the central source of heat inside every home. Since then, the fireplace has evolved into a highly decorative and architectural form, gracefully blending artistry and innovation. On frigid winter nights, families curl up around them to enjoy their radiant warmth. Whatever its style, be it an intricate stone-carved gothic masterpiece or a high-tech showpiece with clean, bio-fueled flames, a fireplace brings comfort and grandeur to any hearth and home. Here are three elegant Boston-area dwellings with fireplaces to warm the body and soul.
701 Country Way, Scituate| Listed byLiz Roberts
In the homes entryway, a sweeping Brazilian cherry bridal staircaseandintricately carved wooden arches tell the story of a previous eraitwasbuilt in 1893 as a private library for the seacoast town of Scituate. Though it has since been completely updated, the dwelling remains an iconic hallmark of the suburbs history, still emulating the distinctive grandeur of a 19 th century library.
Greeted by an ornate iron fence, stone wall and commanding circular driveway, residents arrive to a light-filled central living area anchored by an inviting tiled fireplace. The gorgeous tiled hearth warms the stylish space,making it an enviable dwelling to call home through the harsh winters. Adorned with cathedral ceilings and views of the outdoor patio and fountain, each room exudes sheer majesty. The private backyard space is ideally designed for relaxation, where residents and guests can enjoy pre-dinner drinks and conversation on balmy summer evenings. The richly-colored study looks especially cozy. With a bar uniquely nestled inside a room evocative of aLondon-look telephone booth, the office space is perhaps the most unique room in this home.Beautiful cherry cabinetry is outfitted with enough shelves to accommodate any homeowners personal library collection. Residents can grab a book, pour themselves a cocktail, and curl up by the crackling blaze.
51 Nauset Road, Orleans| Listed by The Alberti Team
Three indoor fireplaces and a beach-facing stone fire pit are elegant and intimate features to counter the chilly Autumn days and embrace the warmth of summer nights. Twofloor-to- ceiling fireplaces, set inside beautiful stone walls, stand tall on the first floor. Soaring beamed ceilings allow for a higher level of decorative impact. Fixed glass window panes around the perimeters of the main living room reflect the glowing embers. Characterized by its open, airy livings spaces, the main level is the quintessential space for socializing, cooking and dining. Upstairs, an understatedly elegant white fireplace warms the master bedroom, complete with breathtaking panoramic views of the lavish sunrises and sunsets above the Atlantic.
The roaring fire pit, centrally positioned on the homes back patio, serves as a heat source while simultaneously helping extend the outdoor season just a little longer. With stunning views of Nauset Beach, a chic lounge area invites all to enjoy the crisp autumn air, early nightfall, and falling leaves, the natural textures of stone effortlessly complementing the setting. Its circular formation creates an optimal seating arrangement for the space. Gather your family and friends, youre throwing a Fall bonfire.
10 Charles River Square, Boston | Listed and Sold by Allison Mazer
This beautifully renovated Beacon Hill residence is a Georgian Revival beauty, so its no surprise the original fireplaces have been so lovingly maintained. Framed by matching sconces, each fireplace is a master class on symmetry. When the weather dips, residents will be lured into the sophisticated formal room with striking red walls for optimal autumnal coziness. The home itself proffers the finest architectural details: intricate crown moldings, fine interior woodwork, and a whopping six massive fireplaces to suit the needs and desire of every family member. In the elegant dining room, the glow and warmth of the fireplace adds to the ambiance of dinner parties and holiday gatherings, inviting guests to linger over dessert and coffee. Dating back to 1899, the original brick fireplaces positioned in each palatial living room emulate a feeling of age and permanence. The mantels are painted a demur shade of cream, complementing the rich caf-color brick surround.
Enclosed by lush gardens, and nestled in the crescent of a charming European-style cul-de-sac, this hidden jewel of a home faces the Charles River and is one of the Beacon Hill squares largest floor plans, with 6 bedrooms and 4 baths in 4,412 square feet of living space. A private deck off the full-floor master suite and an expansive rooftop space both transport residents intoa magical autumn oasiscarefully sip a hot spiced cider and feast on seasonal Fall ingredientswhile taking in picturesque views of the red, orange and yellow foliage peeking throughBostons skyline.
Sitting by a warm, roaring fireplace is one of the few everyday joys during the coldest months of the year. A fire, burning safely within the confines of a fireplace, is a visible and tangible source of comfortfrom its warmth, the beauty of its flames, and the pleasant aroma that it imparts to the surrounding air.
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