Most of us are probably well into our spring cleaning. Now that you’ve swept and polished the nooks and crannies, are you thinking your kitchen could look a tad more gorgeous? Maybe what’s missing is the old world charm of our Florentine or the traditional lines of our Bentwood range hood. Our line of cast stone range hoods are all crafted right here in the USA. For a fraction of the cost of carved limestone, you get the same look and feel. We make them to order, so they work with any ceiling height.
As always, we love to see what our customers are up to. If you’ve added one of our mantels or range hoods, please send us before and after photos and the story or your project. Maybe you’ll be featured in an upcoming newsletter or blog post!
Summer Travel
Soon the kids will be out of school and it will be time for family summer travel. At Old World Stoneworks, we like to use travel opportunities to check out fabulous, famous and/or unusual fireplaces. Here are three vacation ideas that incorporate visits to fireplaces into fun summer destinations.
The Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina and Frank Lloyd Wright fireplaces: all over, but especially Oak Park, Illinois
The Biltmore was modeled after an English Palace. You can spend the night, or poke your head in for a peek at the enormous mantel and triple-hearth fireplace and browse through the lobby gift shop. While you’re in Asheville, take a Blue Ridge Mountain hike, stop in one of many art galleries and visit the Asheville Pinball Museum.
Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) was America’s most famous architect. Five hundred and thirty-two of the structures he designed were completed, and most included at least one massive, commanding fireplace. Wright described the fireplace as “the heart of the home itself.” Cheers to you, Mr. Wright! We recommend visiting any Frank Lloyd Wright building that’s open to the public. If you find yourself in Chicagoland this summer, swing by the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio in Oak Park, Illinois. Wright lived there from 1889-1909. Other fun things to do in the area include shopping boutiques, visiting Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace and museum and taking in a movie at the art deco Lake Theater.
Sistine Chapel fireplace: Vatican City, Rome, Italy
If you’re taking the family even farther afield this summer, we recommend Vatican City. While you’re at the Sistine Chapel you should certainly admire its famous ceiling. But don’t overlook the chapel’s unusually important fireplace. When the conclave of bishops elects a new pope, it uses the wood-burning stove in the fireplace to signal that they’ve come to this momentous decision. While in the Catholic city-state, don’t miss touring the Vatican’s art collection. And while in Rome, do as the Romans do. Dress up, prowl the streets, drink espresso and eat lots of good food.
Wherever your summer travels take you, stay safe. And if visiting fabulous fireplaces inspires you to upgrade your home setup, call us. We’re happy to help you dream up your own fireplace haven.