December 10, 2015
Contributed Art/Kurfiss.com
This French chateau in New Hope features six ornate fireplaces.
Much as one might wish, this trend of 65-degree weekends in December will not last. Winter is coming, even if it appears to be running late, and when the temperature drops, nothing will seem cozier than the idea of lounging in front of a flickering fireplace.
So in a preparation for a time when the weather will be more frightful, here’s a list of homes with delightful fireplaces – because nothing makes a living room worth living in more than a warm hearth (and a mug of hot chocolate to go with it).
1. On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…six French mantels! New Hope, $15,000 per month.
There are six spectacularly over-the-top fireplaces with French-style mantels in this massive chateau, but the one pictured above is my favorite. It finally solves that age-old dilemma: If you want to treat your special someone to a romantic evening, do you take a dip in the Jacuzzi or snuggle up in front of the fire? It’s so hard to choose, but now you don’t have to. The other bathrooms, by the way, are also described as “Lord and Lady ready” in the listing.
See the full listing here.
2. Warm meals and warm beds in Kennett Square, $2,249,000
Built in 1930, this six-bedroom gem in Kennett Square features a gorgeous tiger maple kitchen that opens out to a dining room with an antique fireplace wall and floor-to-ceiling windows. Another lovely feature is that the master bedroom has a fireplace too, so that you can keep your toes extra toasty in bed.
See the full listing here.
3. A mantel for kings in Cranbury, New Jersey, $920,000
The home is a Federal-style Colonial in historic Cranbury, but the mighty fireplace looks like it would fit well in a castle. The mantel is made of antique marble from the 1860's. Here's a bonus: there's two of them, one in the living room and one in the Great Room.
See the listing here.
4. A zen space in New Hope, $499,000
With a vaulted ceiling, towering fireplace and rows of windows overlooking the garden, the beautiful great room in this home exemplifies tranquility.
See the full listing here.
5. Marvelous stonework in Erwinna, $1,248,000
Again: what is it about a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace that is just so magnificent? The home sits on a pristine, nine-acre wooded lot with views of Tinicum creek, but when it's too chilly to enjoy the outdoors, relaxing in here is a great second choice.
See the full listing here.
