ONLY THE exterior of a house and perhaps its staircase are more indicative of style than the fireplace. The neoclassical mantels of the Federal period, particularly those of Samuel McIntire in Salem, Massachusetts, are considered the apex of design. Arts & Crafts-era fireplaces with their neatly laid brick or art tile are another favorite. For these pages, we’ve deliberately selected some of the more unusual examples.
A mantel is the decorative frame for the fireplace opening. The