Being a brand ambassador for Mendota Hearth has been an educational experience as a designer and for our clientele. In the past, I may have thought that a fireplace insert, is a fireplace insert—pick brass or chrome accents. After working with the innovative fireplace and insert company, I have discovered the design considerations could be so much more, making a space better than I originally knew.
Before my work with Mendota Hearth, I had retrofitted our wood-burning fireplace to a simple fireplace insert as California was not allowing very many burn days. If there is anything I have to have during the cooler months, it’s a fire, so I was going to do whatever I needed to do to see that flicker and create that ambiance. Hence, my home in its “before Mendota” state.
Before
Recently, after specifying several Mendota Hearth fireplace inserts for my clients, I realized it was time to make it right in my own home. For clients, I saw how we could pick a herringbone liner or accents from a variety of metals that coordinated with their home’s interior. These details made such a difference in their design and now I wanted it for our home.
Knowing that in the Fall we will be refinishing our floors to an espresso tone, I selected an espresso liner. Realizing that I would like a little contrast to tie in our family room cabinetry, I selected birch logs. Wanting an understated accent finish, I selected Swedish nickel—and had to have the tone-on-tone removable corners and rivets. The rivets remind of my Cartier watch. I just love it when interior details mimic fashion moments and the rivets on the corners do just that.
After
We know that the change looks better—we can actually see a larger fireplace window instead of a big black hole. The great news is it also performs better. With a blower, our new Mendota Hearth Grace Front insert heats our room more quickly, making comfort not only beautiful but efficient.
Thank you Mendota Hearth for the education and for updating our home for our friends and family to enjoy for years to come.
