How to Refinish Your Black Fireplace Screen

Brass is an alloy made by mixing zinc and copper. There are so many kinds of brasses that can be made by mixing together different proportions of these two materials. These different brasses also come with different properties. Brass is usually a muted yellow and its similarity in color to gold makes it commonly used for decorations. It is also relatively tarnish-resistant, making it durable. Brass is usually used to make fireplace screens, like the ones below.

• Four Panel Arched Screen - Antique Brass by Fireside America. This is a 4-panel screen that is finished in Antique Brass. Each panel measures 13 inches wide. Regardless of whether you've got a fire going, you'll love the way this screen looks.

• Napa Forge Belvedere 4 Panel Screen - Antique Brass by Fireside America. Complete with high-quality brass construction and classic styling, this hearth accessory provides a perfect accent for any fireplace or insert.

• Pilgrim Brass Trim Spark Guard by Fireside America. With a traditional screen with welded kick plate, its frames consist of large diameter steel rods welded to an extra heavy kick plate to provide support.

Because they are exposed to so much heat, a brass black fireplace screen can sometimes require refinishing. Here is a guide to help you do this on your own.

Cleaning and Polishing

Remove stains from brass by mixing lemon juice and salt on a sponge. Clean it with small, circular motions to not damage the metal but still take off any spots. Rubbing alcohol on a soft, non-metal sponge can also help get rid of tougher stains. Low-abrasion cleaner can also work on stains if applied with a damp sponge.

Polish brass by rubbing yellow oil on the metal to maintain the finish. Make sure that you do not use too much oil. After oiling, buff the metal with a soft cloth. This will cause the brass to shine and also create a smooth finish.

Homemade Brass Cleaner

The proper method of cleaning your brass fireplace screen will largely depend on whether it is lacquered or non-lacquered. However, such a distinction is unnecessary if you are intending to re-lacquer the screen.

Lacquered brass should not be cleaned with a cleaner; wiping it with a soft, damp cloth should do. Non-lacquered brass is more versatile and can be cleaned with a dollop of ketchup on a rag. Wipe of any remaining ketchup and buff the surface. For another homemade brass cleaner, combine salt, vinegar and flour to make a paste. Rub this paste on the brass, let it sit, and rinse off to remove stains.

Refinishing Brass

If you doing a massive refinishing job, re-lacquer your screen first. This is usually only necessary if the original lacquer has broken or become cracked overtime. Before you re-lacquer the fireplace screen, remove the original layer.

The next lacquer can be removed with acetone. Next. Polish the brass and remove and excess polish using acetone. Finally, once the polish has dried, spray or brush on a new coat of metal lacquer. This will give the brass fireplace screen a new finish that shines and looks great.

Dressing Up Your Modern Fireplace for Every Season

Nothing quite sets the mood for the holidays like a crackling fire and stockings hung from the mantelpiece. A fireplace is indeed perfect for the winter months -- but what about for the other nine months of the year? Luckily, all you have to do is to be creative with your décor to bring your modern fireplace mantel into the right season.

Winter

Decorating your fireplace should be easy during the holidays. There are so many traditions and obligations to keep your fireplace mantel full right from Thanksgiving all the way to Valentine’s Day.

• Garlands. It is quite easy to plop a store-bought evergreen garland and call it a night, but there are still so many possibilities. Use some leftover Christmas globe ornaments, adding different sizes and colors to create more depth to it.
• Monochromatic. Choosing another Christmas color aside from green and red, like blue or white, can create a stunning theme. Get wreaths and reindeer statuettes in your chosen color.

Spring

After taking down all the Christmas decorations mid-February, the fireplace mental will start looking bare. Look at the new growth around to find the perfect idea to decorate your mantel.

• Fresh flowers. The great thing about flowers is that they come in various colors, sizes and shapes. Prop them up in vases of different sizes and shapes for a more dazzling visual.

• Pressed flowers. If you are not too keen on ensuring that fresh flowers remain watered or buying expensive arrangements, press some flowers and display them in pretty picture frames.

Summer

This is the season where people lose their interest in decorating a fireplace, leaving it covered with family photos. Summer is also the time that the fireplace has the least amount of use.

• Beachscape. Pay homage to the beach and display it in your mantel. Use some decorative driftwood, sand dollars and sea star to being the display back to life.

• Bold colors. Swath your mantelpiece with adventurous colors schemes like cool teal and bright coral. Framed card stock and colorblocked candles will be nice touches.

Fall

Once the nights start to get a little chilly, the whole family will want to congregate around the fireplace. Everyone needs a warm place to enjoy hot chocolate and some ghost stories.

• Rustic. An antique mirror or weathered shutters will make for a great backdrop for a homey mantelpiece. Outfit with wooden candlesticks and decorative lanterns.

• Natural. Take the natural approach and decorate your mantelpiece with pumpkins. Arrange small pumpkins on the mantel for a truly fall experience.

Now that you have some creative and fun ways to decorate your fireplace, here are some of our top electric fireplace picks this year.

• Vernon Electric Fireplace Stove by Well Traveled Living
  
  
  
  
  
• Classic Flame 23 Inches Flagstone Electric Wall Fireplace by Fireside America
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Classic Flame 23 Inches Ranier Electric Wall Fireplace by Fireside America
  
  
  
  Start enjoying the glow of flames in every season!

5 Fun Features for Your Remodeled Basement

It took months of planning and thousands of dollars, but you finally finished your basement remodeling project. Now that all of the dust has settled, it is time to add some furnishings to your new entertainment zone. There are of course the essentials, like a flat-screen television and sofa. But what else can you add that will leave a lasting impression on your guests? Here are 5 fun ideas for distinguishing your basement from the rest!

 

LCD Fireplace

That’s right, the old days of chimney sweeps and splitting logs has been replaced by the same technology that powers our computer screens. LCD fireplaces are not only mesmerizing to stare at, but you won’t need to install a chimney or sacrifice any square-footage. These units can be placed anywhere on the wall, and the majority of them produce 5,000 BTU’s of heat. That is more than enough to heat a 150 square feet by itself.

Surround Sound

It is crazy how much people spend on state-of-the-art televisions and Blu-Ray players, only to settle for the hollow sound that comes through their tiny speakers. At the very least there are two sound components that every basement should have: A soundbar to accent high-pitch frequencies, and a sub-woofer to enhance the low-pitch ones. You can find a quality set of both for around $500. Not only will you enjoy better sound, but this simple addition will turn your basement into THE place to watch the big game!

The LoveSac

What do you get when you pack 80 pounds of foam into a 6-foot, custom designed fabric bag? A LoveSac SuperSac of course. Clear your mind of any bad memories you have of the old bean bags made of cheap pleather that used to leak Styrofoam everywhere. This super-sized bag of fun will instantly become the best seat in the house. And don’t worry about your kids jumping on them, all LoveSacs come with a lifetime warranty and the covers are machine washable.

Karaoke

The last thing you want at your party is to have everyone sitting around watching reruns, which is why you’ll want to add some interactivity to your basement. A karaoke machine is just the thing to spice up the night. For about a hundred bucks you can get an above-average unit that links to your television and includes wireless microphones. Look for models that integrate with your iPod, as this will give you access to the diverse selection of karaoke tracks from iTunes.

Foosball Table

Poll tables are great but they take up a lot of room, and they are downright expensive. Enter the foosball table, which typically measures about 4 feet long by 3 feet wide. Foosball is a fast and exciting game that almost anyone can pick up in a matter of minutes. Up to four people can play at a time, so your guests will have something to do while waiting for their turn at karaoke!


About the Contributor:
Elliot is the ultimate LoveSac fan. Follow his blog at LoveTheSac.com to get the latest news and coupon codes for these oversized bags of foam furniture.

Winter Home Furnishings for a Contemporary Lifestyle

Having a warm and cheery fire is one way of creating a cozy atmosphere in your home during those long winter nights and all through the holiday season. To keep the chill away, modern fireplaces can be easily installed in urban homes. Fireplaces have evolved through the years, and now they do not even have to be built into the structure anymore. There are beautiful vent-free fireplaces that will fit right into your den or family room.

A quick search through the internet or by visiting your nearest home improvement store will give you glimpses of these chic and trendy home accessories that would add character to an otherwise drab living room. There are a variety to choose from: indoor types come in vent-free space-saving models, or even trendy wall-mounted types, free-standing types with glass covers, or electric log sets that look like the real thing. You can also purchase a vent-free garden fireplace for your garden or patio, or the ultra-chic quartz heater for that sleek look.

For individuals with eco-friendly tastes, there are those running on bio fuel. Make a selection that would fit into your family’s lifestyle and preference. It will create a warm and comfortable atmosphere for family gatherings or for entertaining guests during cold nights. You can gather around after dinner and engage in long, pleasant conversations.

You will be delighted with the amazing designs and beautiful craftsmanship of these pieces. Safety features are added to keep your home accident-free. This could be a delightful gift to your old folks who long for a warm and cozy living room to see them through the long winter months.

For your contemporary urban home, a modern electric fireplace is one accessory that becomes a beautiful centerpiece that will enhance your living room or den. Its bright cheerful glow adds character to your home and gives it a luxurious, elegant look. Enjoy these wonderful accessories with your loved ones or with your dinner guests and you will feel their appreciation for a thoughtful and creative way of furnishing your modern home.