Dress Up Your Hearth

The right screen and accessories add the finishing touches to a cozy night by the fire.

You can find some really great trips on decorating the mantel, but the hearth is often overlooked.  But if the hearth is not addressed, your total vision for your fireplace may fall short.  A fireplace hearth is the fire-resistant material placed in front of the firebox.  Like mantels, hearths vary in height, depth and width - all of which you need to consider when decorating. 



Measure not only the depth of your hearth to make sure any pieces you will buy will fit.  In addition, measure the width of the space from the sides of the firebox to the outer corner of the hearth.  Keep the measurements with you because you never know when you will find a new treasure.