Southern Home – September-October 2019

103 SOUTHERN HOME | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019

W

ithfalljustonthehorizon,wecanfinallytrade

summer’sheatforthewarmglowofcrackling

logssetwithinaninvitingfireplace.The

appearanceandsizeofa well-proportionedfireboxand

surroundingmantelcanhaveasmuchimpactona room

asanyothersignificantdesignelement.

Sincea fireplaceis typicallythefocalpointofa room—

regardlessofhowmuchit is used—itsetsthetenorand

reflectsthearchitecturalstyleofa house.Fromtherefined

demeanorofa European-inspiredestatetotheintimate

simplicityofa rusticfarmhouse,thematerialsanddetails

associatedwitha particularaestheticoftendeterminethe

selectionandconstructionofallthingsfireside.Toemphasize

thisconnection,LindsayFournier,theSoutheastandGulf

CoastRegionalDirectoratFrançois& Co.,makesit her

Impeccable

MANTELS

architecture journal

BE THEY HUMBLE PLACES TO DRIVE AWAY THE CHILL OR PROMINENT FEATURES THAT

COMPLETE A ROOM, FIREPLACES ARE MORE THAN SOURCES FOR FIRELIGHT AND WARMTH.

THEY ALSO POSSESS THE ABILITY TO REINFORCE A HOME’S DESIGN CONTINUITY.

mission to help homeowners strengthen this alliance between

hearth and home. “More than any other homes-related

feature, I find that clients devote special attention to picking

just the right mantel,” she says. “They intrinsically know that

a fireplace is where their family will often gather around, and

in the process, create memories for years to come. Ultimately,

it’s an emotional decision for them.”

When it comes to a myriad of beautiful mantels to choose

from, François and Co. offers a broad array of antique and

finely reproduced profiles, along with other impeccable

building materials, such as flooring, tile, surfaces, and range

hoods. Based in Atlanta, the company uses a process called

scagliola, which was developed in 17th-century Italy to create

and repair ornamental stonework. “Our craftsmen achieve

this method by layering pigments, limestone dust, and marble