Fireplace Accessories - Adding The Finishing Touch To Your Hearth

Back in the day, fireplaces were an integral part of heating the home. People relied on the heat which radiated from their fireplace as their main heat source. Today’s modern heating systems have negated the need of the fireplace in the home, but many people continue to incorporate the fireplace into their existing and new home construction. One of the reasons why this is the case is that the peace and comfort gained from a gently crackling fireplace simply cannot be obtained any other way. Many people like nothing better than a warm, cozy fire on a brisk fall day or cold winter’s night.

While some families use their fireplace to offset the cost of heating their home and build a fire almost daily, others may only use their fireplace on special occasions or every once in a while. But no matter how often you build a fire, the use of hearth accessories makes the task much more convenient.

There are many different types of hearth accessories including grates, damper pulls, match holders, humidifiers and fire starters, just to name a few, and their main goal is to make your hearth experience as easy and stylish as it can be.

Match holders, for instance, can be a very practical solution for storing matches. Instead of keeping your starter matches in a cabinet or drawer a few feet or in the next room from your fireplace, a match holder can be a perfect way to bring your starter matches into arm’s reach. Match holders are also very stylish. You can choose from materials such as oak, brass and copper and styles which range from formal to whimsical.

Grates are more of a necessity than a stylish addition to your fireplace. Available in a wide variety of sizes to suit your individual fireplace, these hearth accessories are generally constructed using durable cast iron.

Some hearth accessories can also be fun. Take for example damper pulls. While these fireplace accessories have a very practical use, they are often stored close to the hearth and present a great opportunity to show off your unique style and personality. Constructed mainly of brass, damper pulls can be whimsically fashioned into your favorite designs such as a flying bird, golf club or pineapple. If whimsy is not your style, you can also find brass damper pulls in classic styles.

If you want to take the headache of starting a fire, Firepots and fire starters can be just the thing to make the whole experience quicker and more enjoyable. And they are stylish too. Ranging in materials from cast iron to solid brass, firepots are a great addition to any hearth no matter whether it graces a Formal home or a Rustic one.

The bottom line is that hearth accessories are a perfect way to make starting a fire in your fireplace more enjoyable and convenient. While many of the hearth accessories that you find may not be a necessity for your fireplace, once you try them you may wonder what you ever did without them.

About The Author:
Pamela Tice is the owner of a number of fireplace websites specializing in Fireplace Accessories
and other Fireplace related products. Visit http://www.FireplaceScreensEtc.com
for a large selection of Fireplace
Screens, Accessories and Fireplace
Candelabras.

Tags: fireplace accessories, hearth, grate, humidifier, fire starter, damper pull, matches,

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Six Amazing Accessories for Your Cinderella or Princess Wedding

Some elements of the Cinderella wedding are downright obvious — the extra-full ball gown, the elbow-length gloves. And let’s not forget the pumpkin carriage that’s sure to show up somewhere, whether it be the place cards, the centerpieces, or a giant prop piece near the entrance.

But with Princess weddings — as with any other kind — it’s the details that make the difference, and getting those right often brings the bride the most satisfaction. Here are some suggestions for feeling that Cinderella magic right down to your glass-slippered toes.

The Headband

No one will fault you for wearing a crystal-studded royal tiara and necklace set. But Cinderella herself wore something a little different. The Disney movie was created in the 50s, when headbands were all the rage, and Ella herself seemed especially partial to them. Even on her wedding day, she wore a sparkling headband right on the top of her crown, in the simple 50s style. A waltz or ballet length veil sat low on the back of her head, almost at the nape of her neck. Without much difficulty, you can still find a rhinestone-studded wedding headband today.

The Neckwear

Cinderella’s choice of neckwear was a little more timeless. Often, you’ll see her don a simple one-stranded pearl choker. But it seems that her favorite adornment was the satin ribbon choker, which she wore in racy, Nicole Kidman-style black. You might not want to be as daring as Cinderella at your wedding, but the satin choker is fabulous, especially if you can purloin an antique ribbon from a beloved grandmother. Now you’re the walking embodiment of elegance, and you have “something old” covered.

The Glass Slippers

It’s common knowledge that you can get dramatic “glass slippers” (actually vinyl) for your royal stroll down the aisle. But glass slippers come in more casual, comfortable forms as well. Look for the open-toed variety, which give off all that fairytale spark, but leave your tootsies cool when it’s time to dance the night away. Sure, Prince Charming might find these less useful as a bridal homing device, but he’s already found his princess.

The Bluebirds of Happiness

Bluebirds played a major role in Cinderella’s rise to the top, yet they usually get short shrift at a princess-theme wedding. Don’t forget these perennial symbols of nuptial good luck at yours. A lovely way to include them is to track down a small bluebird keepsake charm or clip you can affix to your garter, toasting flutes or bouquet. Hallmark has one that simply glows. There you have it — “something blue.”

The Dove Release

You could argue that this isn’t an accessory, but it’s our article, so we’re calling it one. Doves aren’t the key characters in Disney’s version that they were in the original Grimm story — and thank goodness for that — but they still define the moment when the prince and princess unite in marriage. For any Cinderella wedding, they’re a must. But some “dove” handlers (the doves are actually white homing pigeons) have something more to offer the princess bride, such as ornate pumpkin coach carriages that double as cages. These can be placed near the altar for some romantic cooing action, then rolled down the aisle for a dramatic release once you’ve become husband and wife. For the biggest fireworks-like sensation, release the first two doves yourselves, but let pro handlers manage the rest.

The Guestbook Picture Frame

If you’re true Cinderella aficionado, those full-color Walt Disney prints of the royal couple probably get your heart beating a little faster. Buy one framed with a large white matte. Or if you really want the signature frame but don’t want the $150 price tag, buy the print separately and make a few patient trips to the thrift store. At a large one, you’ll typically find a dizzying sample of frames and mattes you can usually get for pocket change. That’s quite the return on something you’ll love looking at for years.

Blake Kritzberg is editor of FavorIdeas. Stop by for continually-updated celebrity
wedding news, remarkable beach wedding favors, exclusive hairstyling articles and gorgeous and unique wedding favors.

Tags: Cinderella theme, princess theme, wedding, bridal, accessories, tiara, glass slippers, signature fra

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Why Are Ladder Accessories Necessary

There are many different ladder accessories that can make your job safer and easier. “Shoes” can make using your ladder worry free because they eliminate the possibility of the ladder losing traction from being on an unstable surface and slipping. Ladder levelers ensure stability on uneven ground or stairs so that you will not be trying to balance on a difficult surface and risking an accident. Stand-offs are a useful accessory for working on your roof and gutters. They are easily attached to the gutter or roof so that you can easily stand and clean or step off safely.

Straight ladders have statistically the most accidents. This is because it is easy to lose traction or tip them over while working. Uneven ground and weather can make working outside on a ladder a dangerous task. With ladder shoes you can have added traction for more safety with very little extra expense. Steel shoes are best for use outside but for extra safety with indoor use, you can easily change to rubber shoes so that you do not accidentally damage any flooring. In addition to shoes, ladder levelers are also a great way to make sure that you are eliminating the risks of using a straight ladder. If you have stairs in your home, you know that it is almost impossible to sturdy a ladder on them. A leveler will give you the boost on either side that you need to be level and safe.

A stand-off is a great way to clean your gutters or climb onto the roof safely. You can also work in corners without putting yourself in danger. Using a ladder usually means that someone else will be present to hold the it steady while you climb or work. This accessory keeps your ladder up to two feet away from the wall so that you are no longer relying on your gutter or roof to prevent the top of the ladder form sliding and causing you to fall.

Ladder accessories are a great way to add extra safety to the work that you are doing. Accidents caused by un-sturdy or un-level ground have fewer chances of occurring with the correct use of various accessories. You can find these products and many others at your local hardware store. The price of safety accessories will vary, but to anyone who puts them to use, they are well worth any expense.

Tags: Ladders

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