Fireplaces are commonplace in homes. However, you shouldn’t install a fireplace solely because you see it in another house. First, consider what it brings to the space so you can learn how it will help you. A fireplace will make a big impact on your home, and that impact can be for the better. Browse these reasons to install a fireplace in your home to see why it may be the perfect upgrade for your property.
Category Archives: For Home Owners

Precast vs. Cast Stone: What’s the Difference?
Fireplaces warm up a home, but you can make certain design choices that influence their aesthetics. You can lean into a natural stone texture, or you can move in a different direction. Knowing which path to take to meet specific preferences requires learning what separates the available options. For example, you can install fireplaces using cast or precast building materials. So, when comparing precast vs. cast stone, what’s the difference? Let’s look at what makes each method unique and worth using in your home.

3 Ways To Make Your Living Room Look More Luxurious
Your home may look nice, but does it lack the level of luxury you want? Every homeowner has their own personal taste. That said, everyone can still follow the same steps to convey elegance in the living room. A luxurious living room is particularly powerful because it’s a space for socializing and relaxation. Try these ways to make your living room more luxurious if you want your creativity and personality to shine through.

Introducing Our New Architectural Cast Stone Capabilities
We are happy to announce that Old World Stoneworks is now a full-scale manufacturer of architectural cast stone products
Over the past 20 years, we have been a full-service manufacturer for both custom cast stone and custom stone products that are used in residential and commercial properties alike. Now we are expanding! Our new cast stone production facility allows us to offer a full range of architectural services for our customers.
Old World Stoneworks has manufactured beautiful fireplace mantels, range hoods, accessories and more for our customers. Now we are able to provide even more services and products with our improved architectural cast stone capabilities.
Why Cast Stone Is a Popular Choice for Builders
Architectural cast stone, which is a man-made limestone, is a cost-effective alternative to natural limestone because it maintains the inherent characteristics and appearance of real stone. It is popular with home builders because it can be used to create stunning and unique features without breaking the bank.
The budget-friendly nature of cast stone also makes it desirable to commercial builders because they are able to use it for large projects that would be prohibitively expensive otherwise.
Of course, choosing cast stone is about more than just saving money on a building or renovation project. It also is beautiful, fully customizable and durable. Cast stone can be used inside and outside and in any part of a building project. It is used in kitchens, entryways, living rooms, windows, archways, columns and much more.
Cast stone can be utilized well in private homes, apartment complexes, high-end condos, restaurants, office buildings, public gardens, government facilities and more.
Our Cast Stone Services
We are proud that our man-made limestone emulates Indiana limestone, also known as Bedford limestone, which is the highest quality quarried limestone in the United States.
Our new cast stone production facility provides us with the capabilities to provide all of the following cast stone products:
- Facades
- Columns
- Pedestals
- Window Surrounds
- Door Surrounds
- Arches
- Finials
- Entries
- Stairs
- Banding
- Signage
- Wall Caps
- Balustrades
- Urns
- Corbels
- Pavers
- Fountains
- Ornaments
- Tables
- Fireplace Mantels
- And More
Our New Facility
Check out our new production facility!
We are able to continue to craft the highest quality indoor and outdoor cast stone pieces, regardless of the size of the project. Our customers range from those who are working on small-scale projects in an individual residential home to those working on significant, large-scale commercial properties.
We also are capable of producing materials at a higher volume than ever before, thanks to the capacity of our new facility.
We are located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which means we are perfectly situated to quickly ship our cast stone products nationwide to wherever you are building.
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Take a Look at What We Have to Offer
We are here to help you find the right cast stone product for your new build or retrofit project. We can assist you with specifying, measuring and planning. We also look forward to answering any questions you have about our cast stone products.
In the meantime, we invite you to look at testimonials from our satisfied customers as well as the photo gallery of our work with six La Madeleine Country French Cafe locations. A video of our Normandy fireplace mantel in the dining room of La Madeleine can be seen on our YouTube page.
Contact us through our website or give us a call at 800-600-8336 to talk about how we can help you find the perfect cast stone product for your build.

10 Kitchen Range Hoods That Make a Statement
At Old World Stoneworks, we think a big, bold kitchen range hood makes a powerful statement. Here are 10 of our favorite kitchen range hood styles – some made by us, some by other artisans. Continue reading

Range Hood Styles For Your Kitchen
Depending on the setup of your kitchen, one style of a kitchen range hood will probably work better than another. Whichever kind of kitchen range hood you install, your kitchen air quality and atmosphere will improve dramatically! Range hoods for kitchens help to remove excess heat, provide additional lighting, make the air cleaner and generally improve your property value. Check out the main styles you will find when looking for the right range hood style to fit your kitchen.

Home Improvement Projects to Use Your Tax Refund On
Oh, the agony and ecstasy of tax time. Many Americans dread preparing their tax return, yet rejoice at the refunds. Today we’ll focus on the ecstasy part of the equation: the wonderful tax refund, and what you can do with it. Continue reading

Saint Patrick’s Day Decorating Ideas
If you’re like us and you enjoy decorating your mantel for every occasion, chances are you’re arranging images of leprechauns, shamrocks, and pots of gold right about now. This week we’ll look at the meaning of these familiar Saint Patrick’s Day symbols. Continue reading

What’s Hanging Above Your Mantel? Surrealism
Surrealism is not for everybody. This art movement’s alternative – some might say warped – view of reality can be unsettling. But many art fans find surrealism intriguing and mentally stimulating. As we know, art is in the eye of the beholder. Here’s a little background on surrealism to help you decide whether it’s a good fit for your mantel. Continue reading

Valentine Fireside Romance
Fireplaces have a reputation for putting people in the mood for love. A 2014 University of Alabama study concluded that watching a fire together lowers people’s blood pressure and makes them feel more relaxed and sociable. Matt Rossano, an evolutionary psychologist at Southeastern Louisiana University, says people are wired to get together around fires at night and converse. Continue reading
5 New Year’s Resolutions for your Home
Getting in shape, losing weight and getting out of debt usually tops the list of most popular New Year’s resolutions. But if your home could talk, what would it want for 2018? Here are five ideas for making your home – and its inhabitants – happier in the new year. Continue reading

Make a Wreath to Hang Above Your Mantel
Wreaths are a favorite symbol of the holiday season. Hang one on your door, and it provides the first welcome to your visitors. They’re fun decorations because while traditional, they can easily be personalized for your family and home. Continue reading

Hot Holiday Gifts For The Home
It’s that gift-giving time of year again when everybody is trying to find just the right thing for friends, family and coworkers. At Old World Stoneworks, we’re always looking for the hottest holiday gifts – that is, those that have to deal with fire. Here are a few ideas for those folks on your gift list who live by their hearths. Continue reading

Thanksgiving Entertaining Tips
At Old World Stoneworks, Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays. It has everything – great food, time spent with family and friends, a focus on gratitude, and the chance to light one of the year’s first fires. The challenge of a successful Thanksgiving is to balance the comfort of the guests with the stress level of hosts and hostesses. We hope these tips will make for a happier, more harmonious holiday in your household. Continue reading

Spooky Mantel Looks for Halloween
The Halloween season is the only time most people want spiders on their fireplace mantel – and the bigger, hairier and scarier, the better. Same with ghosts in the house. Usually, not so welcome. But at Halloween, ghost motifs reign supreme. Here are a few ideas for a spooky Halloween mantel for your personal haunted house. Continue reading

Art Focus: Understanding Printmaking
For those of us who love our fireplaces, decorating our mantels and the surrounding area is irresistible. Often this involves finding the perfect piece of art to hang above a mantel — to make a statement, to tie a room’s décor together, or just because you love it. But as we talk to customers, we’ve realized many don’t feel confident in their art knowledge. Printmaking is especially mystifying. So this week we will seek to better understand this varied art form. Continue reading

National Dog Day – Cuddle Up with Your Furry Friend in Front of One of Our Mantels
It’s something of a mystery how wild wolves evolved into the loyal dogs who share our homes today. As National Geographic has put it, the evolution of dog/human relations has been more about survival of the friendliest, rather than survival of the fittest. Some time long ago, a bold yet friendly wolf must have hung around a caveman long enough to start to form a bond. In the next 15,000 years, friendly wolves slowly developed into the labs and setters, the goldendoodles and chiweenies, we so love today. Continue reading

June 21 is Summer solstice and International Yoga Day –celebrate by your outdoor fire pit
As summer begins, unless you live in a very cool climate, you’ll probably not be lighting indoor fires for a few months. Instead, summer is the time for outdoor fires at the beach, campfires, and time spent by your backyard fire pit. A backyard fire cooks your dinner and warms you up as darkness falls. It’s the perfect backdrop for playing acoustic guitar or telling ghost stories. And it’s a good place to get into the spirit of International Yoga Day with a pleasant outdoor evening practice beside your fire pit. Continue reading

Art Focus: What’s hanging above your mantel: Contemporary Artists
At Old World Stoneworks, we love to support artists from all over the country. And we hope you do, too. Our clients live all over the world. And so do contemporary artists whose works are worthy of hanging over your mantel.
This week, we’re going to celebrate contemporary artists – a few from Texas, and some from other states. And we’ll recommend how to find and support artists in your area. Whether you’re hanging an original work of art or a quality print, your art choices personalize your home and help support the arts. What could be better? Continue reading

Preparing your Fireplace for Winter
You might not be feeling the cold yet—but you will soon. And the best time to prepare your fireplace for winter is before cold strikes. Then, when the temperature drops, you’ll be ready for a nice, cozy fire.
Proper prepping is crucial for your safety. Done right, your fireplace is a source of warmth and joy through the long, cold winter. Done wrong? Fire hazard. Continue reading