Coal, wood and gas have long been the standard fuel sources for heating our homes and powering our appliances. One alternative fuel source is gaining momentum and is super efficient — pellets. They're made from industry byproducts such as sawdust and wood chips, burn clean and can be used any a variety of heat sources such as fireplaces, furnaces and boilers. We recently attended a presentation on pellet appliances, find out what we learned about this super fuel source, after the jump. More

A couple of years ago my sister gave me the fun job of helping her to update an adorable Craftsman-style home she bought with her husband in an historic neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. I was really looking forward to seeing the inside of the house, since the outside was pretty perfectly preserved. But then I walked in the front door and came face to face with this. Click through to see the big reveal and learn how we dealt with this fireplace disaster! More

Reader Dale Mackey sent in these beautiful images with the note: Hey There, We just finished decorating for Christmas and I'm so loving our little holiday vignette, I thought I'd share. We just got a new kitten, so a big tree that she could climb up and destroy was out of the question. We bought this small living potted fir, adorned it and put it on the mantle. The bunting that hangs below it is made from paint samples I strung with ribbon. And then we of course had to add a little fire with our iPad…Happy Holidays! More

EcoSmart's Fusion Fireplace burns denatured ethanol made from renewable resources like sugarcane, potatoes, bananas, and beetroot. This portable fireplace is avaliable in red, white, black or other custom colors, so put it in an apartment or other small space then take it with you when you move!
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Recently, I was talking with a friend about the virtues of wood stoves and was surprised to learn that, though she could appreciate the efficiency of the wood stove, she would sooner bring home a pet elephant than have a wood stove in her living room. More

While the fireplace may be a heat source in the winter, it becomes a sort of glorified shelf in the warmer months. It's long been a favorite topic of ours to find alternative ways to put it to use. And here's one more today: Each of these examples shows plants showcased on, in, or around the fireplace: More

Outdoor entertaining season is here! If your outdoor space allows for it, nothing beats a fire pit or outdoor fireplace for socializing on a chilly evening with friends. Here are 9 of my favorites, and archive links to even more: More

The renovation of an Edwardian semi-detached house in Golders Green, London by AOC Architects is named after the homes new focal point — a marvelous poured-concrete hearth with a subtle herringbone pattern. More

The multi-functional design for the Vulcan Stove is ideal for a small space — a cast iron stove is enveloped in insulators and then topped with powder-coated steel sheets to form custom shelving and storage. More

When you think 1960's ski lodge, think Malm. Designed and manufactured in Sonoma Country, Malm has been making freestanding fireplaces for over 50 years. From retro to modern, Malm heats things up in a variety of groovy colors and finishes. More