January 2016 Newsletter - Old World Stoneworks

Company News: A Great Way to Start 2016

This year, we want to start off wishing well to those affected by the brutal winter storms of the last few weeks.

We ship all around the continental United States, so we would be happy to brighten your 2016 with one of our cast stone masterpieces. With lots of evenings dipping into the 30s this month, we’ve kicked off the New Year with a series of roaring fires.

Last year we launched the Before and After section of our website. It’s been slowly growing, thanks to our loyal customers. We’d love to hear from you about your experience revamping an old fireplace with a new mantel from Old World Stoneworks. So please send us photos of before, during and after the installation. Here’s a before and after look at one family’s project

Expert Tip: Great Historic Fireplaces

Since January begins the New Year while bumping up against the old, we thought we’d look forward and back this month.
First, looking back. Fireplaces and mantels have an important place in American history. Early settlers used fire for warmth and cooking. Over the centuries, they got fancier with the home decorating trends of the Georgian, Federal and finally Victorian periods. Note this opulent Victorian fireplace below.

Now, for the looking forward part. At Old World Stoneworks, we hope to work visits to a few historic fireplaces into our 2016 travel plans. Maybe with a little help from USA Today, which recently published awonderful article about some of the country’s best hotel fireplaces, we can make that happen. Here are a few we’d love to visit:

In California’s Yosemite National Park, fireplaces of The Ahwahnee Hotel incorporate Arts and Crafts, Native American and Middle Eastern design elements. And, since this is the National Parks’ centennial year, what better time for a road trip to one of the country’s most beloved parks?

Wisconsin’s Canoe Bay Resort includes a cottage designed by John Rattenbury, the protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. And an amazing 30-foot stone fireplace, located in the main lodge.

If you like to combine rustic and luxury, you can’t beat Big Cedar Lodge in the Missouri Ozarks. Built by Bass Pro owner John Morris, this wilderness resort features pony rides, kayaking, jetted tubs and a truly gorgeous fireplace. Many rooms also have their own, smaller fireplaces.

We’d love to get a look at the antique marble fireplace at Orange, Virginia’s Holladay House B&B. We hear it’s made of black marble with taupe and gray highlights, and has a cast iron inset. This historic fireplace dates back to 1859.

For a Native American-themed stay, the La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe has a big fireplace that shows off terracotta artwork based on Hopi and Zuni tribal stories.

Okay, enough dreaming of exotic fireplaces. Back to working on our own beautiful offerings to the world. If you’re inspired to make your home a warmer and lovelier place, contact us today.