Fireplaces more often than not have bragging rights in home real estate listings. Who doesn't love the flicker of flames and the warmth that the hearth imparts?

Sometimes elegant, sometimes architectural, often romantic, a fireplace -- with a handsome mantel or as part of a whole wall -- is a focal point in interiors. It's a magnet for intimate seating, with sofa, chairs, ottomans and coffee tables likely to gather around.

These days, fireplaces can be installed in nearly every room of the house, as well as outdoors, largely thanks to direct-vent gas technology, which actually was introduced by manufacturer Heat & Glo in 1987. Where wood-burning fireplaces are tethered to chimneys, direct vent requires a double layer pipe (to bring direct air from the outside and expel combusted air) that can be run virtually anywhere. And today, the "log" choices are much more realistic than early models.

But another seismic shift has been the advent of what the hearth industry calls the linear fireplace.

By now you've probably seen it in magazines, and it's a popular style at designer showhouses all over the country. Like the move from a 4:3 to 16:9 format in TVs, this propane or natural gas-fired fireplace is long and lean. The rectangular insert is set into a wall, framed like a piece of art, or frameless. Often the flames themselves create a dancing, mesmerizing pattern. The bed sometimes is dressed with sparkling glass, pebbles or beachy stones, depending on the ambience you prefer.

As interiors have been trending to more modern, clean styles, it's no surprise that this look is attractive.

"Modern styling is becoming more mainstream," says Becky Scribner, marketing director for Heat & Glo. "We work with a lot of builders, and they're starting to put in linear gas fireplaces instead of wood-burning."

An easier installation than a full masonry wood-burning fireplace adds to the appeal.

Another category is the vent-free fireplace, which, is said to be nearly 100 percent energy-efficient. As it requires only a hole cut into a wall, with no vent kits, vent-free fireplaces are up to 75 percent less expensive to install (starting at around $2,500, depending on style, mantel choice, etc.)

However, since these rely on indoor air for combustion, there is some debate about indoor air quality. Vent-free fireplaces are not approved for installation in Canada and are restricted in some parts of the U.S., such as California, so be sure to check local codes. Needless to say, these do require installation by a gas or plumbing contractor, but most manufacturers will tell you that with proper installation, there shouldn't be any problems.

In addition to gas models, bioethanol technology also has been touted for its environmental friendliness because it burns clean with no smoke, sparks or fuss. From handcrafted freestanding pieces of "fire" furniture to grates for traditional fireplace conversion to firebox inserts for custom built-in designs, companies such as EcoSmart offer options fueled by bioethanol, a renewable liquid fuel whose combustion produces heat, steam and carbon dioxide. EcoSmart ethanol-burning models are priced from $500 to $10,000, depending on style.

Stunning installations include feature walls -- where the linear fireplace takes center stage -- asymmetrical placements or teamings with high-definition TVs. Their shapes can even be round and two-sided, just like some options with aquariums.

Many people with traditional wood-burning fireplaces are changing over to new technology for more efficiency and ease. Some, who don't want to sacrifice real wood logs, combine with gas, so there's an option of working both ways (gas-assisted wood burning).

While remote controls have been available, Heat & Glo is actually introducing a Wi-Fi enabled gas fireplace controlled app at the Building Show in Las Vegas in early February. Now you can warm spaces before coming home as well as check to make sure the fireplace was turned off before you left. In addition, there are some first-to-market safety features, including a child lock and hot glass indicators.

More ultramodern styles are on the docket as well, including Heat & Glo's new model called REVO -- a slender, 7-inch-deep profile that comes in square, horizontal and vertical shapes that can be hung on the wall like art. It features the company's patented razor burner, which produces a particular pattern and a reflected glass interior. Multicolor LED accent lighting also is available.

Similarly, a stylish vent-free model from Napoleon features a torch flame design with porcelain reflective radiant panels. Shown on its website (www.napoleonfireplaces.com) in a contemporary bath, its burner comes with decorative glass embers. Some safety features include an energy-saving "no pilot" gas valve control system that automatically shuts off the supply. Accent lights to mount underneath and above are optional.

If an inherited traditional mantel seems old-fashioned -- say, a dark wood or turn-of-the-century oak that is just not your style -- you can change the finish or paint it, as well as visually lighten up the surround, with tile or stone. Where brick walls may date a fireplace, again, an update with paint or even a new stone or stone veneer face will do wonders.

Chicago designer John Wiltgen says he has enjoyed playing with fireplace design for more than 30 years, and has retrofitted many existing fireboxes, combining antiques with new technology.

"We consider fireplaces a pivotal element of design, says Wiltgen. "They can be stylish examples of one-of-a-kind functional art and architecture."

A few years back, Eldorado Stone, which manufacturers stone-lookalike materials for cladding, introduced a series of composite mantels that have the heft, scale and look of stone without the weight and cost (prices start at about $1,500). They come in a range of styles, including some beautifully classical profiles as well as more clean-lined designs with mitered corners. They'll stand out on a plain or textured stone wall.

One of Eldorado Stone's newest mantels is an elegant hand finished surround called the Dylan. It's composed of real limestone aggregates and hand-finished in a four-step process that makes each piece one-of-a-kind. It's a crisp design that easily transitions between traditional and modern decor.

"There's been a growing trend toward contemporary living spaces," says Brent Spann, vice president of marketing for Eldorado Stone. "With its modern lines and artfully beveled edges, (the Dylan) is ideal for the types of fireplaces that grace contemporary homes, high-rise apartments, condos, lofts and bungalows."

Tile offers still another option not only for surrounds, but also for dressing fireboxes. Motawi Tileworks, a boutique artisanal company based in Ann Arbor, Mich., shows a variety of examples for tile mantels as well as tall feature walls. All of their tiles are done by hand --trimming, sanding, dipping and glazing -- with each piece handled 28 times.

There's been a tremendous uptick in fire pits in outdoor rooms, but the flexibility of some of the new fireplace designs has ignited interest -- especially linear burners, which are being installed on tables.

"Outdoor fireplaces are growing like wildfire," says Scribner -- pun intended.

No matter which style you choose, you can create a welcoming gathering spot that offers visual warmth as well as real welcome heat when it's cold outside.

Sources

-- EcoSmart Fireplaces, 888-577-3925, www.ecosmartfire.com

-- Eldorado Stone, 800-925-1491, www.eldoradostone.com

-- Michael Fullen Design Group, 949-715-1633, www.michaelfullen.com

-- HearthCabinet, 212-242-1485, www.hearthcabinet.com

-- Heat & Glo, 888-427-3973, www.heatnglo.com

-- Lennox Hearth Products, 800-655-2008, www.lennoxhearthproducts.com

-- Motawi Tileworks, 734-213-0017, www.motawi.com

-- Napoleon Fireplaces, 705-721-1214, www.napoleonfireplaces.com

-- Spark Modern Fires, 866-938-3846, www.sparkfires.com

-- Regency Fireplace Products, 604-946-5155, www.regency-fire.com

-- John Robert Wiltgen Design, 312-744-1151, www.jrwdesign.com

-- Felicia Zwebner, 917-868-8994, www.feliciazwebner.com

-- Wittus Inc., 914-764-5679, www.wittus.com

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)

Portability and connectivity -- with the explosion of iPads, notebooks, tablets and Wi-Fi -- have been real game changers in the way we think of home offices. They have expanded the options for working just about anywhere, including at 40,000 feet.

Even the peripherals have downsized, such as supersmall printers and compact projectors for those PowerPoint presentations or family slide shows.

So a trend to more minimal desks started taking root two or three years ago, as the need for mega-footprint towers, printers and monitors lessened. Just as bulky TVs have given way to uber-slim models, hulking furniture is not necessary for your personal workstation, unless it's your style to rock a honking executive desk.

Still, in spite of the fact that you might even set up shop in bed (say it isn't so!), it is nice to have a clean surface for at-home work.

"We see work styles and work places all over the country really evolving these days," says Kim Shaver, a spokeswoman for Hooker Furniture. In the past few years, the country has aggressively researched sites like Houszz, Pinterest and design blogs to get a pulse on how people are solving their work-at-home issues, and they have been impressed with a range of creative ideas.

"When you bring work home from the office or check email or pay bills online, you want to stay connected to the people and activities around you," says Shaver. "You're looking for an unconventional office -- one without walls. Because of portable electronics, we want to seamlessly integrate them in the home with multifunctional, high fashion, high style pieces that can go into any room. That allows you to blend work and family life."

Some recent furniture introductions nod to beautiful classic pieces that are as decorative as they are functional -- 18th century, 1930s Art Deco or mid-century modern styles, for example, made from exquisite woods and veneers, allowing their craftsmanship, form and style to speak volumes. Other desks are more generic, with simple lines, pleasantly traditional with familiar details such as cabriole legs or reeded aprons, transitional, like campaign styles with crossed legs, or ultra modern.

Even the sleek offer surprises. One simple design (the Torino) by Manuel Saez at CB2 has a matte lacquer white top that sits on a white oak stretcher base with U-shaped legs that are braced with intentionally exposed hardware. According to the description, "the immaculately clean" desktop may be "the sign of a highly organized, compulsive neatnik." Peek inside: With an integrated pull, the top opens to reveal 9 square feet of stash space for laptop, iPhone, iPad, projects, books, planners, folders, smalls and supplies -- even hidden cord cutouts to charge electronics.

There especially as been an uptick in the industrial look with metal or raw, grained, often reclaimed woods sometimes combined with steel and iron. These materials lend themselves well to clean-line designs. There's also the allure of the backstory, such as the use of reclaimed telephone poles that celebrate distressing, knobs, drill holes and splits, at Crate & Barrel.

A desk with rounded corners anchored by cast arched trestle legs at Restoration Hardware is a faithful reproduction of a 1950s English garment factory table. Also at RH is another 74-inch metal desk with an ample-sized surface, complemented by a symmetrical pair of curving, open compartments for storage, a slatted shelf stretcher and a hidden slide out panel beneath for a keyboard. It's truly an elegant form.

Most retailers now feature home-office categories, as well as those dedicated to storage.

With so many options, some are looking to stand out from the pack. A new desk from the Keno Brothers, the popular antiques experts from the PBS "Antiques Roadshow" series, for example, has a hidden WOW factor. The petitely proportioned, mahogany burled veneer make it a little jewel, but open the top and the big reveal is a brilliant blue lacquer.

Not that this device hasn't been employed before, but it's always a fabulous furniture tour de force. One recent bold example is a glamorous secretary designed by Marjorie Skouras for Currey & Co. It's finished in faux malachite and dazzling with a drop-down desk in poppy red.

Manufacturers also seem to be promoting the idea of double duty. And why not?

"First of all," says New York-based designer Jena Hall, "when people are not furnishing a home office, they don't think about desks. Often (existing) furniture is used impromptu -- like sitting at a dining or breakfast room table."

Tables that morph into desks or desks that convert to dressing tables are so practical, especially when space is limited. A nearly 8-foot cherry veneer topped table with a zigzag stainless base, from the Italian company Selva, takes on a dramatically different look when teamed with tall-backed bergere chairs rather than a desk chair.

Similarly, the Strut table, with angled wood legs, a floating glass top and X-bar support that is integral to the design, is shown at Crate and Barrel in several settings -- including dining.

"A desk is a multi-function value," says Hall. "It makes a room more interesting stylistically as well as functionally. I like a desk as an end table next to bed, instead of a matched nightstand. It's a more eclectic look."

So is floating a desk behind a sofa where it also serves handily as a table.

"With mobility and wireless (devices), you may think of eliminating desks," says Hall. "But you still need a surface to spread papers out." And besides the functionality, says Hall, the decorative aspect can't be overlooked, especially with more creative placement.

As an interior designer as well as someone who designs furniture, Hall does think about consumers' needs in concert with home layouts. "I like desks in bedrooms, for example, at right angles, perpendicular to a wall. It helps break up space. A desk can even make a wonderful dressing table in a bathroom."

As far as corralling potential clutter is concerned -- the rest is up to you. Right up there with losing weight, getting organized makes most everyone's top 10 resolutions list every year.

Sources

-- CB2, 800-606-6252, www.cb2.com

-- Crate and Barrel, 800-967-6696, www.crateandbarrel.com

-- Currey & Co., 877-617-1032, www.curreyco.com

-- Hooker Furniture, 276-656-3335, www.hookerfurniture.com

-- Restoration Hardware, 800-910-9836, www.restorationhardware.com

-- Selva, 336-885-2239, www.selva.com

-- Somerton Dwelling, 951-898-1616, www.somertondwelling.com

-- Universal Furniture, 336-822-8888, www.universalfurniture.com

-- West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com

SIDEBAR

MINIMALISM TO THE MAX

Glass-topped work surfaces especially seem to beg for tidiness. What the more minimal desks demand is a clutter-free zone. Where to stash all that paperwork and tools?

File cabinets, of course, are an obvious go-to. At stores such as CB2, we've seen hip colors over the years, with a still popular powder-coated steel model that features a couple of drawer for pens, staplers, paper clips and smaller items on top and a file below, with the whole thing on casters for easy movability. We've seen them in orange, lime, lobster red -- they're currently offered in charcoal, white and a soft blue-green called Mint. Ganged in three, under a white parsons table on casters, and set in an eclectic, modern living room with an elegant traditional fireplace, the collection spells industrial chic.

While color lifts the spirits of such storage pieces, they still may be too office-y for some tastes. And there are some very cool new options -- furniture that easily transitions from room to room.

The wood Strut cabinet (actually a companion to the desk/table with the same name at Crate and Barrel) is a no-nonsense design, handsome veneer in an appealing chocolate hue. It stands on short splayed feet to match the angle of the table legs.

A lot more sassy is the Pilsen file cabinet from CB2 in a tangy shade of paprika. Its glass top rests on a frame that is boosted from the base, creating a ledge handy for stowing magazines or a Nook.

But what about charging all of your devices, you may ask. Hooker Furniture has a couple of answers for that.

And when the company previewed its e-charger station on Facebook before the October furniture market in High Point, N.C., it went viral. That's because the studly, nailhead-studded, turquoise-painted cabinet totally disguises any possible eyesores and is a pretty cool looking piece of furniture.

"We got more likes comments than with any single post we've ever had," says company spokeswoman Kim Shaver. "It elicited responses like, 'Where has this piece been all my life? Such a great idea.'"

There's a lot to love about it. Up to five devices may be charged at one time, with wire management and nice details.

"It's a station that can go anywhere -- hall, bedroom, living room, family room," says Shaver. "It gives you a place where you can organize and keep everything in one spot rather than all over the house. You can grab your cell phone or tablet, and you don't have to see those ugly cords. Plus the shallow drawers are lined with felt so you won't scratch (anything with a screen)."

"All households struggle with how to charge and organize multiple electronics and 'grab them and go,' when you're ready to leave for work or an appointment," says Cindy Hall, director of merchandising for Hooker Furniture. (These pieces) take it "to a whole new level of problem-solving, de-cluttering and de-stressing furniture."

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)

No matter what style of home you live in, holiday decorating can bring it to life. It doesn't really take that much: a garland here, a few candles there, touches of evergreens, a few spangly baubles. Whether you go for glam or for more homespun, dialed-down expressions, it's all about creating a little coziness -- something that makes it all magical for you, your family and guests.

Sounds like the jingling of bells or strains of "Silent Night" or "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas," plus aromas of pine, balsam or fir, or freshly baked cookies trigger that warm and wonderful sensation for many people.

However you light it up -- with thousands of LED sparklers, holiday cheer throughout every room of the house or with minimal punctuation -- there are plenty of places to go for direction. Some like to take cues from public spaces, such as hotels, restaurants and shops, or even city or town streets and squares -- with some scaling down for home applications.

Whether you're looking to add to your traditional decor repertoire or start fresh, there's more design advice than ever before, not only from shelter magazines but retailers with catalogs or online blogs. For those who stare at the front of their homes and don't know where to start, Pottery Barn invites: "Call us today and we can help. Free design services." Its website offers online how-to articles and videos. Wisteria has a storyboard holiday blog with suggestions, including four different ways to design a mantel. Neiman Marcus (and Pottery Barn) breaks down its decorations according to theme (like luxe lodge, classic, elegant or coastal), which makes it easier to identify the looks and colors you like.

CB2 dishes personal decorating advice from the hip design duo of Robert and Cortney Novogratz. "Every Christmas we hang a giant peace wreath on the front door to welcome our friends and family. While the design is rustic and understated, the message speaks volumes." (A lighted vine peace wreath from their collection was sold out well before Thanksgiving). And WE (West Elm) riffs on the song "Have Yourself (a Merry Little Christmas)" by inserting its own sentiment: "a holiday that's carefully crafted just for you."

Craft and curated are key buzzwords these days -- in the sense of creating a personalized look, one that at least appears to be one of a kind, something done by hand.

Flipping through a stack of holiday catalogs that could be a record weight this year, we found a number of interesting themes.

Outdoor decorating has ramped up. We've always seen the wreaths and garlands, lit and unlit. But this year, there are more options for treetops glistening. Restoration Hardware is selling what it calls starlit trees or winter wonderland trees in snow and bark or wrapped with birch. A cool alternative to green, these minimal twig-like forms, battery-lit with LEDs, are absolutely enchanting en masse. They can be used indoors or out. Grandin Road's outdoor lights include large shooting stars with light trails.

In addition, there are a surprising number of outdoor accoutrements -- kind of prop-y objects that you might see in retail displays, such as stacks of colorful presents. Grandin Road's range up to 20 1/2 inches square by 24 inches tall and these "artisan gift packages" are crafted from hand-painted, stressed wood with aged tin bows. At Neiman Marcus, there's a big sleigh that looks like molded iron, with is actually a synthetic mix. There are reindeer, and nearly life-sized figures, including a bronze-like Santa (58 1/2 inches) and a 3-foot-tall angel and nutcracker. The idea is to decorate the front stoop, veranda or steps as you might with pumpkins for Halloween, creating ambience before you step inside.

Artisan-made decorations in felt, needlepoint or fabrics that are appliqued, stenciled or beaded seem to be even more plentiful this year. They add warmth and a soft touch.

Perhaps drawing on that softness, you'll see plenty of critters -- owls and other fuzzy animals as ornaments or motifs on pillows. And reindeer are having a bigger moment than usual. The silhouette can be part of mantel or table decor; and antlered deer heads create a nice anchor for wreaths. The most over-the-top example is one 7-inch-tall reindeer studded with thousands of bronze, silver and gold Swarovski crystals; it's available at Frontgate for $4,695.

If you're taking the time and making the effort to decorate, you'd best be entertaining. One of the most fun ideas is West Elm's party in a box, offered in white with silver and gold or in bold colors. Included are statement decorations, champagne coupes, a cocktail shaker and even confetti.

Happy New Year signs may not be the only messages you see. The trend of vintage illuminated marquee letters has been translated for the season. Restoration Hardware jumped on it with PEACE, JOY and LOVE words that stand just over 13 inches tall (they start at $149). There also are green topiary style letters that spell out NOEL. At Pottery Barn, there's 3-foot scale wall art in iron with bronze finish that spells LOVE in the style of the first LOVE postage stamp in 1973. Also, your choice of real moss letters, available for $79 each. Just spritz to keep fresh.

Script also is popular on pillows, with sentiments such as "All is bright" (that looks like it has been written on a blackboard). Or "jingle," in Old English style message in red on jute, with a few bells attached for fun (both at Pottery Barn).

If your wall space is limited (or if you're looking for a more intriguing way to display decor), consider hanging something from the ceiling. The most dramatic suspension: a tree from Grandin Road (it also can be placed upside down in a stand). At CB2, a wreath converts to chandelier, with lights, ornaments and greenery laced through.

Of course, garlands on mantels, doorways and stairs in a range of decorated greens are a standard, but how about changing it up with glittery ball or felt garlands?

Dress-ups like festooning the backs of chairs have graduated from DIY fare to magnificent ready-made fabric wraps and adornments at Grandin Road. The idea of adding a bit of holiday spirit to chairs is especially appealing for kids. PB Kids has slip-on chair covers in the form of Santa hats, heads or letter holders for Mr. Claus. Wreaths of any kind also are an easy spruce-up, either on bare or slipcovered chairs.

Seasonal themes like poinsettias, winter berries, snowflakes, snowmen and trees are favorite motifs for pillows and bedding -- and changing them out for the holidays spreads the cheer throughout the house. Don't forget powder rooms and bathrooms; embroidered hand towels with traditional or whimsical motifs such as the offbeat elf or fanciful reindeers of Patience Brewster might even be teamed with a few decorations -- garlands or small ornaments hanging from a mirror.

Anything reflective adds welcome sheen to the decor. That's why metallic accents in gold, silver and copper are huge, as well as mercury glass (votive holders, bowls) and anything glittery, such as sequins and beads. One of the most mesmerizing objects of the season is what's described as a 1920s French glass cloche, available in several sizes (up to 30 inches tall) at Restoration Hardware. They're shown in the catalog and online filled with "starry string lights," teeny lights in amber on copper wire or diamond with silver wire, bundled up in a tangled web, looking as if thousands of miniature fireflies were captured within. Utterly beguiling.

Beyond the glittery, the bright and nontraditional hues are here to stay. Shuffling the deck with orange, hot pink, violet, turquoise and cobalt adds a jolt of fun, and the expansion of color palettes suits a variety of home styles. One of the more unusual wreaths is crafted with iridescent peacock feathers, glittery cedar twigs and ornaments in apple green and turquoise on a bed of leaves, cedar and myrtle. It's available at Gump's, which also sells a set of similarly hued, small, feathered trees dusted with glitter.

If you have DIY skills, a feathered wreath is the kind you might tackle yourself. Of course, Martha Stewart still is the reigning diva of stylish DIY holiday decorating. (Check out www.marthastewart.com and nose around for Christmas crafts for everything from paper snowflakes to star projects, pine cone crafts to gingerbread houses, even snow globes!) Another excellent source is Real Simple (www.realsimple.com), where you'll find, for example, details on fashioning a wreath out of kumquats, clementines and limes, colorful and sweetly aromatic. Some ideas are really simple -- filling apothecary jars, for example, with small colorful ornaments or red or green and white mints, foil-colored candies, cranberries or colored glass marbles.

When all is said and done and you're delighted with your efforts, you may want to boast about them on Pinterest or Instagram. Most of all, sit back and soak in every moment of this enchanting season.

Sources

-- Ballard Designs, 800-536-7551 www.ballarddesigns.com

-- CB2, 800-606-6252, www.cb2.com

-- Crate and Barrel, 800-967-6696, www.crateandbarrel.com

-- Garnet Hill, 800-870-3513, www.garnethill.com

-- Grandin Road, 866-668-5962, www.grandinroad.com

-- Frontgate, 888-263-9850, www.frontgate.com

-- Gump's, 800-284-8677, www.gumps.com

-- Olive & Cocoa, 800-538-5404, www.oliveandcocoa.com

-- Pottery Barn, 888-779-5176, www.potterybarn.com

-- Pottery Barn Kids, 800-993-4923, www.potterybarnkids.com

-- Restoration Hardware, 800-910-9836, www.restorationhardware.com

-- West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com

-- Williams Sonoma, 877-812-6235, www.williamssonoma.com

-- Wisteria, 800-320-9757, www.wisteria.com

Sidebar

HOMESPUN FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Handcrafted objects have gained traction in home design in the last few years, so it's not at all surprising that they are showing up more and more in holiday decor. From elegant hand-beaded tree skirts to rustic patchwork to whimsically appliqued stockings, some are so beautiful that they can become family heirlooms. At the high end, there's the magnificent 64-inch rust-colored beaded tree skirt by Kim Seybert at Neiman Marcus ($545). Or richly embroidered and beaded Jay Strongwater stockings ($450; www.jaystrongwater.com).

As antiques can be a buffer in ubermodern spaces, well-chosen crafted pieces can shine, especially in minimal interiors where decorations are moredialed down. That's where a bit of color, glitter and something soft can be fun.

CAPTIONS AND CREDIT

(NOTE: These photos are for ONE-TIME use ONLY. At Home photos, with the proper credits, are to be run ONLY with At Home stories. Conversion to black and white is OK.)

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)