Fireplaces

Hand-made stone fireplace, Cobbossee Lake, Maine

Many cabins come standard with fireplaces, but many urban apartments do not. Or not that you can light a fire in anyway. My apartment doesn't have one, but there is a sign of there once being a wood stove in the kitchen. Modern appliances have long since replaced it, which is what probably got us into this no-fireplace mess.

So how to bring the warmth and relaxation of a fireplace to your apartment?

-If you have a fireplace that doesn't work, try cozying it up with some faux logs

-Look for a wood mantelpiece on Craigslist to go on a bare wall (a quick search found one for $75 near Boston!) and place a basket in the center

-Set up a (tiny) indoor fire using fire gel and a planter

Whatever you do, keep the fireplace rustic, and then load it up with pinecones and knick-knacks!

Helen Palmer's rustic 'place