I'm dreaming of...

Beautiful outdoor spaces. Especially ones with outdoor fireplaces, like these photos. There are lots of place in the city where you can't have a fire pit in the backyard, but what about an enclosed fireplace? Not the same bonfire effect, but still warm and cozy. I once saw an article about a family who's fireplace was double sided - it was in the living room on the inside of their house, and on the enclosed patio on the outside. Amazing.

Full House.

myfireplacedesigns.com

fireplaces without fire.

I just recently stumbled upon this interesting article in Real Simple - a magazine about home and food and fashion. The photos show ideas for how to fill an empty fireplace hearth, when it's not in use for the warmer seasons. They fill it with plants, unique vases, a mirror, birch wood, and a ball of lights. Gone are the days when you only displays pretty things on the mantel of your fireplace, I suppose? I'm okay with that...