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When there’s a chill in the air, nothing makes a room feel more cozy than a fireplace.  It becomes the focal point of any environment, instantly creating an atmosphere all its own.  Who doesn’t have fond holiday memories of sitting in front of a roaring fire, sipping hot chocolate and sharing special times with family and friends?  No matter the style – traditional, contemporary, eclectic or ultra-modern, a fireplace has a unique way of touching something deep inside us.

Modern alternatives tend not to be as imposing as traditional stone fireplaces and may be found these days in master suites and even bathrooms.  There’s a wide choice of materials to blend with any décor.  But in Carolina mountain homes, the look of stone remains popular and blends perfectly with the warm color palette our residents tend to prefer.

A fireplace can be designed in just about any configuration.  You can choose the height of the opening, the shape of the hearth, how to incorporate mantels and lighting, and, of course, the materials that will cover it.  As our mild Lenoir North Carolina weather begins its wonderful segue from Summer to the Fall foliage season, let’s look at some of the options available here at The Coves Mountain River Club for making a fireplace the perfect centerpiece for your home in the foothills.

Stones look great when used with other earth tones in the natural setting of a mountain or lake home.  Stone fireplaces make us think of a warm blanket and cushions.  Some of the more rustic designs may also incorporate wood and even metal.  Choose from sandstone, granite, limestone, river rocks, local stone and more.  The uneven shapes and sizes of the stones create an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Natural stone offers a random, unplanned look that can convey a rugged image.  It can also be saw-cut into flagstone pieces that work perfectly with a contemporary style.  At The Coves Mountain River Club, you can see examples of the ways design specialists have employed natural stone to enhance our distinctive Carolina mountain homes.

The traditional, rustic fireplace is made of fieldstone – pieces that look as if they were found on adjacent property.  Ledgestone, a very popular material, is small strips that are applied to look like tiny ledges.  And there are convincing and durable man-made stone veneers, available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors.  Because of their lighter weight and standardized sizing, installation is easier and less costly.

Some of the alternatives to stone used in fireplace construction are steel, concrete, brick, stucco, tile, metal, wood, marble and plaster.

As the holiday season approaches, the Lenoir North Carolina weather begins to provide us with more opportunities to enjoy the unique sights, sounds and scents of a wood-burning fireplace.  Old memories are stirred, and new ones are created.  It’s a special time of year at The Coves Mountain River Club, where we never cease to be awed by the sheer splendor of our surroundings.

Mountain homes here are built to be at one with the land – to take full advantage of elevations and views and elements of nature.  And when you return from a day spent hiking, fishing, golfing or enjoying any of the many other outdoor activities available in the foothills, the warmth of a stone fireplace seems like the perfect complement to your experience.

The Coves Mountain River Club is everything you’re looking for in a mountain community.  Stay as active as you want to be, and savor all the pleasures of country living while still having easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment and cultural opportunities.

Stop by soon and take a tour.  Talk to some of our residents.  See our innovative home designs. 

Have a glass of wine on us, and then just sit back, watch the sun set over the mountains and imagine yourself living life to its fullest. That’s life at The Coves.

Call 828.754.0700 to schedule a visit to our one-of-a kind mountain community.