Guest Blogger Kate Arends of Wit & Delight: Fireplaces
PORCELANOSA has partnered with Kate Arends, creator of the lifestyle site Wit & Delight to bring readers a blog series dedicated to interior design and home décor ideas, bringing you everything you need to know to live a life well designed.
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It’s just about that time of year again. Time to get ready for the long winter, at least that is what I am doing here in Minnesota. As I begin preparing for days spent inside, I am thinking about how to update the façade on my fireplace. If you are familiar with my personal blog (Wit & Delight) you are already aware that I am in the middle of a home renovation of my kitchen and lower level. Knowing that we are merely days away from moving back in to our home after spending the summer with in-laws, I’m inspired to update the fireplace to fit within the new aesthetic.
I’ve had a bit of a challenge choosing materials and finishes for both the kitchen renovation and what I am currently considering for the fireplace. My taste tends to run modern, but the renovation is leaning more towards traditional. I think I’ve finally accepted that a sleek, modern look is wonderful, but it just doesn’t fit my home (or my life). What I really love about Porcelanosa is they have so many options for the fireplace that run the gamut between the two styles.
While gearing up to transform my fireplace, I’ve been bookmarking some photos to help with the final decision. Above are some of the looks I’m currently coveting:
The Ferroker collection by Porcelanosa marries the clean modern look I crave, with a more traditional look and color. The tile has the appearance of a patina copper, which provides a rustic vibe to the fireplace. It’s a chic alternative to the traditional brick and mortar fireplace I currently have in my home.
Speaking of “brick and mortar”, the textured black brick pictured above, is anything but expected. I love how the Globe Brick Bhutan provides additional depth to the fireplace. Both the rich black color and sculptural tile placement ensure the fireplace is the centerpiece of the room.
Melding the sculptural elements of the Globe Brick Bhutan tile and the bucolic styling of the Ferroker, is the Strip Nepal collection. This tile has both the color and texture of stacked stones. When dreaming up my perfect cabin, this tile is my top choice.
I am most likely leaning towards a tile that will not only stand out, but also fit right in with the overall look of my home. My own personal philosophy on decorating is to first start with pieces that will last the test of time, and then add in accents that can be swapped out depending on mood/season. Aston Acero is the right choice for this fireplace refresh. It features modern clean lines, with a classic gray that will last season after season. With the Aston Acero, I will be able to update the living room with different pieces if I want to skew towards one style of décor over another.
While I’ve learned quite a bit from this renovation, I can’t wait for it to be complete. The fireplace update is a bit more bite-sized, and more importantly, won’t keep me out of my home for weeks on end. With any luck, I’ll be enjoying a cozy fire with an updated hearth before the first snow.
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Kate Arends wears many hats: blogger, product developer, branding consultant, designer. In 2009, she founded Wit & Delight, a lifestyle blog that has garnered a tight-knit following with an edited yet approachable point of view on decor, fashion, and entertaining. The website has since broadened it’s focus to include mental health and wellness topics. In 2014, she introduced a limited-edition line of products with Target Corporation. Kate is a proud resident of St. Paul, where she resides with her husband, Joe Peters, and their sweet English labrador, Winnie.