From Mike’s Desk

I am no fan of winter, but like everything related to time, it’s going to come sooner than later.

We have a Rumford masonry fireplace at home, and this is the time of year when we start getting wood ready for the winter. Cutting, splitting, stacking, and letting it season. It’s a project that comes up every year, and it’s one I know will always be needed. It is kind of crazy how much wood you can burn between a fireplace and making maple syrup.

I love everything about a real wood fire. From building it to the sound, there is nothing quite like that experience. The stone, block, and firebrick structure hold and retain so much heat. It makes winters “tolerable.”

For those who aren’t familiar with a Rumford fireplace, it’s a masonry woodburning fireplace with a taller, shallower firebox. The shallow design, large smoke chamber, and simple design make them a choice for people that want to have a campfire in their living room (keep reading for details on our next CEU on fireplaces).

AUGUST WEBINAR RECAP: STONE JOURNAL Presents a Case Study: NATURAL STONE IN CUSTOM RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

We were joined by Amy Conner-Murphy of ACM Design and Kevin Reed of Bluestone Construction to talk about an incredible custom home in North Carolina. With Amy Sneider, Editor-in-Chief of Aspire Design and Home magazine moderating the discussion, they walked through so many aspects of this project and their collaboration with the owners.

There was a level of pride listening to them discuss all the thoughts and details that went into this project, and for us to be a part of it was so enjoyable. In particular, it was fascinating to learn about their thoughts on stone selection (Fond du Lac Tailored Blend), making sure to incorporate cut stone (Indiana Silverbuff), and how this project was deeply impactful to them on almost a spiritual level.

One of my favorite points came up towards the end, as Kevin discussed his attention to detail on waterproofing. It may sound like a silly thing to get excited about, but to me, it is an area that is often underappreciated. We get calls on “stone issues” from time to time, and it is difficult to explain after the fact that in most situations it’s an issue with some aspect of installation; from flashing, to weepholes below grade, to improper caulking, just to name a few of the things that can affect the life of an installation. Watch the webinar here…

Which brings me back to fireplaces and the details each fireplace installation should consider.

UPCOMING WEBINAR: September 3

NATURAL STONE FIREPLACES: PLANNING YOUR NEXT DESIGN FROM THE FLOOR UP

On September 3, I’ll be hosting our next CEU, Natural Stone Fireplaces: Planning from the Floor Up.

The idea behind this one is something I’ve been a part of for a long time: a fireplace install does not start with the stone. I realize that it might sound strange coming from me, but as a former fireplace salesperson, I appreciate all the details that are needed for a good fireplace install. Is it a full masonry fireplace like my Rumford? Is it zero-clearance? Woodburning, gas, or electric? Where is it located? What does the structure underneath it look like? Is the fireplace supposed to heat the room, anchor the room visually, or both?

Those decisions can affect everything that comes afterward, and then we can start talking about design. What else is happening in the room? What are we doing with the flooring? Cabinetry? Furniture? Lighting? What does the homeowner want the space to feel like?

Once these are taken care of, then you can talk about the stone. There is one point in the presentation that I hope people remember: The stone may be the most permanent design decision you make in that room. That fireplace could still be standing there generations from now, so it’s worth taking the time to get it right. I hope to see you there.

PEOPLE BEHIND THE STONE

Last month I held our quarterly meetings with all our Rockstars to review the year so far. I always enjoy these presentations, helping everyone see how things are going. It feels impossible to accomplish goals unless everyone is on the same page and knows where we stand.

The thing about setting goals is they need to be a bit lofty, otherwise (in my opinion) it’s not really a goal, it’s just a to-do. That’s the great thing about teamwork. Even if a goal is off track at this point, there is still time to rally around it for a common vision. Without that vision, people are just coming to work and putting in time. In my experience at least, people want to know they are contributing to something more, and the time away from their family has meaning.

You don’t get that kind of meaning by just doing the same thing day after day.

Closing Thought

Sure, we do have 3-5 months before winter strikes, and maybe I’ve got firewood on the brain, but all these updates seem to have a consistent theme. A good fire in January starts with work you did in August. A great fireplace starts well before someone picks out a stone sample. End of year goals are accomplished with months of work. All of them are the result of making sure you plan ahead.

You do the thinking ahead of time. You prepare. You rely on good people who know their roles. You must pay attention to the details and the plans that get you to the end goals: a great fireplace, an award-winning custom home that hits all of the owners’ wants and needs, and a team that truly understands what it takes to get where we need to go.

Because eventually the work is done, the fire is lit, and potential problems were avoided to make it all come together. Everyone is just enjoying the results.