The air is shifting from crisp to cold, frost is beginning to settle and the season of gathering and giving is upon us. No matter what you celebrate, nothing captures that spirit quite like a warm hearth, a crackling fire and loved ones close at hand.
There’s a reason fireplaces hold such a timeless, almost mythic place in home design. Even as technology has advanced—and it truly has—we continue to gravitate toward them as symbols of warmth, comfort and connection.
Whether your style leans toward the historic and traditional or the sleek and modern, we’ve gathered some of our favorite hearths and fireplaces for you to explore:
When revamping the lower level of a Warren home, Maria Bowers of BDesign’d introduced color and texture by enclosing the stairs and then adorning the new wall with blue tile. The final upgrade? An electric fireplace for warmth, and an ideal video conferencing background when the man of the house works remotely.
Comfort rules in the family room of this home in Upper Saddle River, designed by Jennifer Pacca of the eponymous design studio. Done in shades of warm gray, plush, cozy seating faces a fireplace and mantel—perfect for unwinding or gathering with friends.
Designer Kristina Phillips of the eponymous design firm created her own Ridgewood home, and treated herself to something beautiful in the family room. The quartzite fireplace is topped with a Slim Aarons island image, complementing a room bathed in natural light.
A Verona colonial built the year FDR was first elected presented unique design challenges, but Leslie Kramer of Lighthouse Home & Design was more than ready to meet them. The living room is drenched in a moody dark green, and built-in shelves elegantly frame a fireplace worthy of a holiday card.
This Florham Park home, designed by Jean Heron, is the perfect marriage of the style preferences of a newly-married couple. The marble fireplace is a showstopper, made even more eyepopping with the dreamy watercolor hung above.
Under the expert hands of Linda Granert, a Tudor-style home in Ridgewood grew to match the owner’s favored transitional style. The fireplace was completely revamped, gaining added built-ins with grass cloth accents.
Chic, modern and a little bit funky, Abby Gruman of Abby Leigh Designs designed this home in Demerest for her friend’s exact style preferences in mind. The goal of the great room was a sense of “elevated ease,” achieved here with the dramatic dark mantel around the fireplace.
The big, comfy sectional was the most important goal when Megan Pisano designed a family room in Chatham. Settling it in front of a stone fireplace (topped with a TV perfect for movie nights and game days alike) was the room’s “ta-da!” moment, according to Pisano.
Everything in this Tinton Falls townhouse, designed by James Yarosh, is lush and luxurious, including the fireplace. Ensconced between hand-painted wallpaper, it beings even more light and warmth to an already plush space.
Want to see more of the best home designs from all over the state? Flip through the latest issue of NJ HOME.