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Afireplace adds instant coziness to a living room, bedroom or patio—whether there's a fire lit or not. With a fireplace comes the opportunity to craft an elegant vignette, one that reflects personal style and adds warmth and ambiance. So how do you go about transforming an existing fireplace or designing one from scratch in a way that feels at once functional and stylishly impactful?

We’ve been seeing mantels trend bolder (dare we say hotter?) than ever before. Even so, says ELLE DECOR A-List designer Rayman Boozer, it’s best to keep things classic when designing a timeless fireplace. “The key to any successful contemporary design is to limit the number of materials used and let them be the story,” he says. In a Harlem duplex we showcased in our October 2024 issue, for example, the designer paired a bold Calacatta Viola surround with sky-blue trim that matched the room’s walls. “Many of our clients don't want traditional mantels anymore,” Boozer continues, noting he tends to steer clear of clichéd materials like stone and brick. “They opt for a flatter profile with nothing distracting from the hearth and surround; this allows the fire to be the focus.”

If you’re working on a budget, there are plenty of DIY solutions to give your mantel that special spark. “Any mantel can be gessoed to achieve a plaster finish. You can buy gesso at any art store, and it looks just like plaster,” says Toronto-based interior designer Colette van den Thillart. “Paint remains the cheapest way to refresh anything,” affirms Boozer. If you have an old mantel, try painting it the same color as the walls. This will make it look fresh and new.”

And if all else fails, says van den Thillart, “Place a basket of logs beside any gas or electric (or even empty!) hearth, as it renders the effect more cozy and inviting.”

ART DECO-INSPIRED MARBLE FIREPLACE