Q–We have a fireplace in our home that we never use. The reason why is it is a wood-burning fireplace and it’s a pain to deal with. My husband wants us to look into something called a masonry ...

Dear Jim: I have seen pictures of beautiful European masonry fireplaces that can heat an entire house with only one short fire each day. How do these fireplaces work and are they applicable to ...

I’m departing from my usual question-and-answer format this week because I was blessed to have an interesting email exchange with one of my newsletter subscribers. I want to share it with you as an ...

September 17, 2011 Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google If you're remodeling a room and the new colors don't match the brick fireplace, painting the fireplace is an ...

Brick fireplaces can be total stunners, but depending on the color, age, and condition of the brick, they can also feel like “a very dull sea of brown,” per Emily Hauffler of House and Hens. Fear not: ...

Every winter, I get quite a few emails from readers who suffer from smoky fireplaces. Just a month ago, one of my amateur radio friends reached out to me with the same problem. After asking him some ...

If you have a brick, wood-burning fireplace in your home — congrats, you won the cozy lottery. But with great power comes great responsibility, as there are some hidden downsides to having a ...

A brick fireplace is a common sight in many Westchester homes, but it may not fit more modern tastes. Here’s what to do if you want a change. We recently moved to a 1960s, contemporary-style house ...

With so much to gain from a well-maintained fireplace, homeowners can learn to spot signs suggesting a unit is in need of ...

Your fireplace will look better than ever just in time for long winter nights Clean brick fireplaces with a vinegar-and-water mix, avoiding harsh chemicals that can damage porous brick. Vacuum, scrub ...

A mantel, be it bold or traditional, provides a glowing focal point for your living room, bedroom or patio. Here, designers ...

Brick fireplaces may be cozy and charming, but they also blacken easily. Smoke and ash penetrate the brick during every fire and leave behind dark stains. Cleaning brick can be very challenging ...