Concrete Cast Fireplaces are all the rage. When Global started back in 2001, we rarely came across homes with cast concrete or stone fireplace surrounds. What was popular in magazines then were variations of gothic, renaissance, neoclassical and victorian designs. The East coast has (and had) much history of those designs and not just one or two fireplaces in a home, but sometime 5 or 6. One for every room.
Most homes in our West coast locale that we encountered had either tiled facades, painted wood detailing or stone, especially when the cultured stone craze kicked off! The fireplace was not a dominant theme in the houses. The heavy block structure of the fireplace was largely concealed under drywall.
Slowly the design trends evolved. Designers started coming to us with clean straight lines, predominantly in the grey and white tones. At the same time, the concrete casting world was maturing fast in improving quality, durability and customization. Modern fireplace images adorn the cover of so many interior home magazines and website. Fireplaces are now a very dominant, heavy feature in the homes now, rising two stories floor to ceiling is possible. Concrete, stone, wood and metal are all being mixed to produce an earthy ageless feel, aiming to avoid a trendy downfall.
Looking forward 10 years from now, I can’t predict what direction the world of concrete castings for fireplaces will evolve to, but we are already starting to see hints of old designs blended into modern designs and organic shapes coming into fashion.
We our currently producing various kinds of surface textures and cool stone-like blended finishes. Using advanced equipment we are discovering new techniques for custom molds at reasonable costs so that our clients can have their one and only fireplace. We think the market is in a creative, empowered and happy place where flexibility meets creativity and affordability.
