Making a Fireplace

This practical guide covers planning, building, adapting, and operating domestic hearths, combining construction details, troubleshooting, and aesthetic treatments. It explains masonry and metal hearth forms, mantels and facings, unusual or recessed designs, and adaptations for small flues or coal grates, with illustrations and diagrams. Detailed advice on fuel selection and storage, fire-lighting technique, and maintenance emphasizes dry wood, proper stacking, use of andirons and backlogs, and an ample ash bed for efficiency and lasting embers. Short sections address accessories, mending poor fireplaces, and stylistic choices for informal and formal interiors.