Italian Design Elegance: The Timeless Appeal of Limestone Fireplaces

Italian Design Elegance: The Timeless Appeal of Limestone Fireplaces By Phoenician Stone

Imagine stepping into a grand old farmhouse nestled in the serene countryside.

As you enter, the flicker of a warm fire greets you, casting a gentle glow across the room.

Your eyes are immediately drawn to the magnificent limestone fireplace, an antique Italian masterpiece that stands as the heart of the home.

This is not just any fireplace; it’s a symbol of timeless elegance and a testament to exquisite craftsmanship.

At Phoenician Stone, we understand the allure of such moments and the desire to bring them into your own home.

Our collection of antique fireplaces transports you to different eras and styles, each piece a story waiting to be told.

Whether it's the regal presence of an Antique Georgian fireplace or the intricate details of an Antique Gothic fireplace, each mantlepiece speaks of history and sophistication.

Picture a master bedroom fireplace, an Antique Jacobean design that adds a touch of romance and warmth to your private sanctuary.

Or perhaps a reclaimed stone fireplace in your living room, its rustic charm creating an inviting atmosphere for family gatherings.

Our selection includes the stately Antique French fireplaces, the robust Antique Tudor fireplaces, and the whimsical Bohemian fireplaces, each bringing a unique flair to your home.

Wandering through our showroom is like embarking on a journey through time.

You might find an Antique Medieval fireplace that once warmed the halls of a grand castle, or an Antique Provence fireplace reminiscent of the quaint villas in southern France.

The beauty of our antique stone fireplaces, whether they are reclaimed or crafted from exquisite marble, lies in their ability to blend seamlessly into both contemporary and classic interiors.

Choosing your fireplace from our collection is more than a design decision; it's about finding a piece that resonates with your personal story.

A bastide fireplace can evoke memories of rustic countryside retreats, while a stone mantle can transform a modern farmhouse into a cozy haven.

Our reclaimed fireplaces and stone mantles in situ are perfect for those who value sustainability without compromising on elegance.

At Phoenician Stone, we are passionate about preserving the legacy of antique fireplaces.

Each piece, from the majestic Antique Italian fireplaces to the charming country side fireplaces, is a work of art that adds character and warmth to your home.

Explore our fireplace ideas and let us help you create a space where history, elegance, and warmth come together beautifully.

For more information visit us at : www.MonolithicStone.com or call us directly at: (949) 759-6944 Instagram: @MonolithicStone

Bressan 'Sarrasine' Ancient Fireplaces from the Dordogne Region.

Isolated and scattered across the fertile Medieval French country side, old farms were built according to two techniques. One mixed clay earth, mud filling between weaving timer and stone to make up its walls, the other was strictly made up of Thick limestone walls.

Lanrivain : Manoir du Gollodic, cheminée de la salle manale

The famous “Sarrasine” fireplaces (for foreign in French perhaps referring to the Moors or the Normans) common to both types of Medieval French Farmhouses were shrouded in mysteries. This class of ancient limestone fireplaces which sport massive firebox openings, reminds historians of the Gallic fireplaces found although the region of ‘Bresse’.

Since the 16th century, Bresse cultivates maize which was brought in into Europe from the Newly discovered continent of America. In less than 50 years this plant transformed the French farmland serving as an ideal fuel for both man and beast alike. limestone-over-mantel-fireplace-designFarmers now had somewhere between 30 to 50% more money coming into their pouches every year thanks to corn. The Bress Farmers became the ‘Nouveaux Rich’ of their time and their newly acquired fortunes earned them famous nicknames such as bressans “yellow belly farmers”.

Saracen fireplaces of the Bressan yellow bellies! The lasting evidence of Bressan flourishing rural past, can still be witnessed by the priceless architectural treasures still found in their surviving farmhouses. The millions of ancient hearthed fireplaces stood the test of time and have become the symbol of the Bressan farm house and formed the basis of its architectural heritage.

Wealthy farmers splurged real well on massive living room, kitchen and dining room fireplaces. back then a good fireplace could cost the family as much as their entire farm house but corn was plenty and the money kept on flowing.

What better way to keep up with the ‘Pierres’ than having a bigger and meaner fireplaces than they did?Fireplace medieval kitchen hood limestone Consisting of a central hearth, reminiscent of the original hearth, these monumental Fireplace mantles are called “diffusion heated fireplaces”, “wide heated hearths”, “large walk-through fireplaces” or “Bressane style fireplaces”.

The term “Saracen” or “Sarrasine” spreads in the 16th century, perhaps in connection with the mysterious era of the Crusaders when the French fought a prolonged war against the North African Moors, the Turks, The Arabian kingdoms of Andalusia and Egypt, and Saladin’s hoards. Intrigued by these strange architecture that was culturally mixed, the less educated French Farmer started calling their Fireplaces foreign as if they were the fireplaces of a foreign invader or a ‘Saracen’ hence the term “Saracen fireplaces”.

Another Hypotheses on Saracen chimneys can be likened to traditional Aragonese chimneys from the Upper Aragon region, in the Spanish Pyrenees, that were structurally quite similar to the French farmhouse fireplaces.

The academic jury is still out on the true origins of the Sarrasine fireplaces and for now at least these amazing fireplaces retain their shrouded of mystery.antique-restored-limestone-fireplace-design

Here are a few notable Bressian fireplaces worth noting: – Polygonal (The Planons in Saint-Cyr-sur-Menthon …)

– Square pyramid (The Forest at St Trivier-de-Courtes, The Bresse Field in Romenay …)

– Reliquary (The Mount at Chevroux …)

– Square terminal lantern (The Sougey in Montrevel-en-Bresse …)

In some cases, monumental fireplace featured a “archebanc” (or the bench-chest raised hearth) that once hosted the regional Lords, the elders of the family or distinguished guests.antique sarrasine fireplace design By the eighteenth century, these chimneys were already considered of another age; from there, certainly, the name of “sarrasines” felt even more fitting to those pieces far from any Moorish connection.

For more information visit us at : www.MonolithicStone.com or call us directly at: (949) 759-6944 Instagram: @MonolithicStone

The South of France less traveled By Monolithic Stone

Languedoc-Roussillon is an area in southern France of ancient Roman structures, wooded valleys, breathtaking gorges and some 135 miles of sandy coastline.

Montpellier is the largest city, both medieval and modern, with easy access to the Mediterranean Sea.

Further inland is the city of Carcassonne known for the massive citadel that’s been called the world’s largest medieval theme park.

Nimes, closer to the border of Provence, is celebrated for its remarkable Roman monuments.

In the rural areas of the region one can still hear locals speaking a version of French known as Occitan.

Languedoc-Roussillon is a major wine growing area due to its grape-friendly Mediterranean climate and soil.

The wine region is three times larger than its counterpart in Bordeaux.

In 2016 Languedoc-Roussillon merged with neighboring Midi-Pyrénées into a region called Occitanie. Sunny Midi-Pyrénées is the largest region of France with Toulouse as its capital.

Outside of the city, however, it has one of the lowest densities in western Europe.

Midi-Pyrénées is farm country--boasting the most farms in the country.

Pretty market towns, miles of traffic-free lanes and an unhurried way of life give the region a tucked-away feel.

The Canal du Midi starts here connecting Toulouse with the port of Sète on Languedoc-Roussillon’s Mediterranean coast.

The great waterway, built in the 17th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The region attracts cyclists, hikers and white-water sports enthusiasts.

It is also a place to be pampered. Midi-Pyrénées is well known for its thermal baths as well as for its culinary specialties like foie gras, black truffles and Armagnac.

Prices for classic farmhouses, bastides (manor homes) and village houses rise the closer to Toulouse. Country properties, typically constructed of local stone and originally built by wealthy farmers, have become summer and weekend homes of Toulousians.

There are no restrictions for visiters, the countryside is not Paris. It's welcoming and friendly everyone is a friend as long as you have a bit to spend on local souvenires.

This renovation and restoration project was fully supplied by us and tons of architectural antique stone elements from fountains, fireplaces, tiles, flos and walls were installed in this one of a kind project. For more information visit us at : www.MonolithicStone.com or call us directly at: (949) 759-6944 Instagram: @MonolithicStone