How Reclaimed Wood can Make a Fireplace Snap, Crackle and Pop

Our reclaimed wood paneling was mentioned recently in a Sunset magazine article on how to transform an uninspiring fireplace into a stunning focal point. As the article highlighted, today’s fireplaces bust out of the old brick mold to incorporate materials such as tile, recycled glass and warm woods. Reclaimed wood, in particular, lends a warmth, richness and unique character that’s perfect for highlighting the hearth of your home.

Willamette Law School, for example, used our Jakarta Market Blend – Dark Sort reclaimed wood paneling to frame one of its fireplaces, resulting in a gorgeous work of art that lures students and visitors to come sit by the fire. Here are a few ideas for using reclaimed wood to make your fireplace pop:

Go ultra-light. One of the most effective ways to brighten up a too-dark den or great room is to emphasize the fireplace with a light-colored wood, such as Doug fir reclaimed wood paneling. This honey-toned wood draws the eye with a glow that radiates from within and seems to magnify the light of your fire.

Keep it rough. If it’s a more rustic look you’re aiming for, consider a darker wood with more variation in tone, such as our Jakarta Market Blend – Rustic reclaimed wood paneling. Reminiscent of cabin-style décor, this paneling can transform an unremarkable fireplace into a hearth fit for a lodge.

Double the warmth. Emphasis your fireplace’s role as source of heat with a warm, rose-toned wood such as redwood paneling made from wine casks. You can almost feel the warmth radiating from a fireplace that’s outlined with this redwood paneling – even when there’s no fire lit!

[Photo by: tristanf, via CC License ]