Applications: Fireplaces Location: New Hampshire
The homeowners of this beautiful New Hampshire lake house envisioned a fireplace that would not only provide warmth but also serve as a majestic focal point in their spacious living area. Their goal was to replace an existing freestanding wood stove with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace that better complemented the room’s grand scale, featuring soaring wood ceilings. The new fireplace needed to look as if it were original to the home, a seamless integration of rustic charm and natural elegance. They sought a design that would enhance the room’s existing character and create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Thin stone veneer proved to be the ideal solution for this project. Full-thickness stone would have required significant structural modifications, including the removal of the existing wood stove and the creation of a new footing. Thin stone veneer offered the desired aesthetic of a substantial stone fireplace without the added complexity and expense of structural changes. This allowed the homeowners to achieve the look they wanted while working within the existing framework of their home. A special thanks goes to Robert Huston Masonry, the skilled installer who brought this beautiful fireplace to life.
The Colonial Tan Thin Stone Veneer was selected for its blend of warm, earthy tones. The homeowners were drawn to its color variations, noting how it complemented the abundance of wood throughout the house, including a prominent accent wall in the kitchen. The Colonial Tan’s blend of tans and subtle highlights perfectly matched the Douglas Fir mantel, an antique barn beam dating back to 1880, that they had chosen prior to the project. This careful selection of materials ensured a cohesive and harmonious design.
‘The fireplace design incorporated several key elements to achieve the desired look. A blend of Ashlar, Ledgestone and Square and Rectangular pieces was used, creating a rectangular shape with a mix of seam face and split face textures. Larger, square pieces were carefully arranged to form the arch above the fireplace insert, adding a touch of architectural interest. A raised custom two inch granite hearth from NH Thin Stone elevated the fireplace, enhancing its presence in the room.
The homeowners emphasized the importance of complementing the lake setting, noting how the stone’s natural textures and colors reflect the surrounding environment and enhance the craftsman-style, post-and-beam aesthetic of the home. They are most looking forward to enjoying the dramatic floor-to-ceiling view of the fireplace every day and seeing the warm light reflecting off the stone’s texture at night.
New Hampshire Hearth: A Lake house Fireplace Photo Gallery
