Grate and the good

No home is complete without a fireplace - the focal point of any room, say JOY and PETER PLASKITT

ONE of the great things about the British climate is that the changing seasons give us the opportunity to use our homes in different ways at different times of the year. In the summer, we can spend time in the garden eating al fresco and lighting the ubiquitous barbecue, but in the autumn and winter we retreat indoors, turn up the heating and light the fire.

We would hate the thought of living somewhere like California where the temperature rarely changes.

Nearly every holiday cottage or weekend break hotel brochure boasts 'log fires'. There is something so romantic about a real fire, and more and more people are happy to cope with the general mess and extra labour a real fire creates.

A fireplace in a room creates an instant focal point, and it is an important factor as far as character, atmosphere and period are concerned for the interior design of a room. We are very lucky that in York many houses still have the original fireplaces from the time the properties were built.

Unfortunately many Victorian and Georgian fireplaces were ripped out in the 1930s and 1950s to be replaced by the 'modern' tiled type with gas fires.

In the past two centuries the variety of styles, materials and levels of sophistication achieved in fireplaces is amazing. Elegant 18th-century chimney pieces with classical motifs, country inglenooks, glorious Victorian marble surrounds with tiled inserts and Edwardian grates with copper hoods evoke each successive period of design.

If you decide to rip out modern, ugly or unsuitable fireplaces from rooms which are clearly intended to have something better, it will probably be the best investment you will have ever made.

Designer's Choice

The Milan fireplace, an ultra-modern surround using beech and aluminium, is a very stylish solution for a new house rather than the dreaded mock-plastic Adams-style favoured by builders. It is just one of many fireplaces available from Focus Fireplaces, tel 01904 400525, or visit their showroom at Unit 27 The Bull Commercial Centre, Stockton-on-the-Forest.

For the best selection of original fireplaces and period light fittings look no further than Old Flames, Long Street Easingwold, tel 01347 821188. Jo and Phil, who run the shop, are experts in their field. With constantly-changing stock from their buying trips both in England and France, you never know what gem you will find.

Problem of the week

Question: I live in a period property and do not like the modern radiators in my sitting room. I have considered radiator boxes but I think they may affect the level of heat in the room. Do you know where I can buy radiators with a more 'old fashioned' look?

Answer: There are some very good reproduction Victorian-style radiators available. One of the best companies are MHS radiators, for a brochure call 01268 597100. Alternatively, salvage yards often have originals, but take care when buying, and make sure they will be compatible with your boiler. If in doubt, check with a qualified plumber first.

We are happy to answer your interior design queries in our column. We cannot reply individually to each inquiry so please do not enclose an SAE. We aim to ensure all products and companies mentioned are reputable but readers must deal with them and follow advice in this column at their own risk. Please send your questions to us at Plaskitt & Plaskitt, 8 Walmgate, York YO1 9TJ.

Peter's tips on fireplaces

1 Ensure that you are not endangering the structure of an old fireplace in the process of removing a modern grate. It may need temporary support. If in doubt seek advice.

2 Look for the evidence of old fireplaces which may have been blocked or hidden behind later plaster finishes.

3 Look at the outside of the house and trace chimneys to their appropriate fireplaces inside.

4 Do buy cast iron fireplaces or alternatively choose from among the many excellent modern reproductions which have been cast from old patterns.

5 If you are choosing a new fireplace, converting an old one, or just re-thinking a nasty little war-time model - think big. Everything that goes with fires wants to be as generous as space will permit. We had a terraced house in St Johns Street with a massive fireplace and it looked fantastic.

6 Fireplaces do not have to look bleak and empty when not alight. In the summer fill them with interesting shaped logs, shells or large smooth pebbles.

7 Check if you live in a smokeless zone before ordering those logs!

8 The newer type of gas coal-effect fires have come a long way in recent years, sometimes it can be difficult to tell them from the real thing.