Retro style copper fireplaces

For sure the primary task of a fireplace is heating, but the exterior plays an important part. Modern designers often make accent on it and turn the fireplace into the central point of the whole room. Fireplaces come in different shapes and sizes, their finishing can also be made of different materials.

We’d like to talk about fireplaces made of copper, because the visual impression they make has a huge influence on the interior design in general. To turn a copper fireplace into the most spectacular place of the living room, the artisans have to consider the interior concept carefully and work diligently to implement the design plan.

Copper for fireplaces

Copper is a material that is characterized by a warm glow and, depending on the degree of finish, can look either rough or thoroughly crafted. This metal gives a pleasant shade to everything it touches, and draws stares. Therefore, a copper fireplace is the solution that will make the room cozier and become the focus of attention.

Copper for fireplaces

Manufacture of copper and brass fireplaces

The word-combination «copper fireplace» does not mean that it is fully made of copper. Indeed, sometimes a fireplace can be covered with copper or brass plates from floor to ceiling, but sometimes it's just the details on the facade, a rectangular strip around the hearth or a copper floor protector or a screen in front of the fireplace.

Copper tones play with the flashes of the flame dancing in the fireplace, creating a mysterious and luxurious atmosphere as if carrying the entire room into a cozy autumn evening. Copper in combination with natural materials - stone and wood has a particularly rich appearance.

Copper is suitable for different interiors: classical, rustic or modern in the style of steampunk, loft or industrial. A skillful approach to the material is able to give the final result a different shade: from the shining light, refreshing the most modern interior to the dark patinated, which is ideal for retro decor.

Retro fireplaces – the secret of a stylish interior

Copper fireplaces are a common thing in the projects of many design studios. We chose 5 most impressive interior designs in which each fireplace is tailor-made in its own special style. Such fireplaces can be an inspiration to anyone who is thinking about applying copper to a fireplace in their own interior.

This interior can’t escape our attention - the dark copper finish of the fireplace, located on the way from the living room to the bedroom, reaches the ceiling:

CG&S Design-Build

The fireplace in the middle of the room is a bold design idea. Screening of the fireplace's chimney with copper looks great against the white walls and the wooden ceiling:

Gary L Holmes Architect, GLH Construction

A modern home is decorated by a panel of copper plates over the white fireplace. The atmosphere is of a quiet Scandinavian home:

Folds Inside Ltd

In the design of this white living room, we see a lot of light, which, reflected from the copper plates of the steampunk fireplace, creates a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere:

The fireplace by Dmitriy Tikhonenko Metal Art Studio

The combination of various textures - copper, wood, stone - in this stove-fireplace in the retro style looks incredibly fresh and harmonious:

Pinnacle Mountain Homes

Copper fireplace floor protectors

A few words should be said about fireplace floor protectors, the main purpose of which is protective. They protect the room from fire and the floor from ash during cleaning. Such screens are fixed in front of the hearth - they prevent the floor from an accidental spark, coal or burning chips.

Sometimes the materials at hand are used as a screen. However, this should not be done. First, the self-made screen does not fulfill its immediate functions. Secondly, its appearance leaves much to be desired. Therefore, the right solution will be to contact specialists who will help in choosing the shape, color and material of the floor protector.

A wonderful idea will be a copper or brass fireplace floor protector, which will not only protect the floor covering, but also allow you to enjoy a pleasant view of this vintage interior item. The size and design of such screens are limited only by the flight of fancy. They can be of different textures and varying degrees of patination, not to mention the shape and thickness. The brass screen for the fireplace is a fresh look at the classic style. The copper fireplace screen gives the hearth a finished look, gives birth to a dance of light and shadow and reflects the flame in such a way that the floor begins to remind of hot lava a little.

The fireplace floor protector by Dmitriy Tikhonenko

The fireplace floor protector by Dmitriy Tikhonenko

The fireplace floor protector by Dmitriy Tikhonenko

Exposed copper wiring as a retro style element

Thus, we see that the phrase "fire, water and copper pipes" (a phrase from a Russian saying about “an old sweat” – “a person who has gone through fire, water and copper pipes) does not always mean difficulties. Those times when copper was applied only for wires’ manufacturing, and fire was imprisoned behind the oven door, passed long ago. All that we concealed and hid behind the walls is coming to the surface, becoming vintage decorative items that, in addition to performing their direct functions, will decorate the house or apartment. An exposed copper wiring has become an interior design item. It is in great demand not only among the owners of wooden houses, but also among the owners of apartments.

Copper and fire in the interior perfectly complement and shade the depth and power of each other: we see this in the example of fireplaces. The combination of copper and water, too, has found application in the manufacture of copper wash basins and bathtubs. There are many other ways to introduce metal into interiors.