Chimney Stacks and Chimney Pots...

One knows one is down to researching the very last details of building an authentic period country house when one gets down to looking at how one is going to detail the chimneys!

Above: Victorian brick chimney pots. Lovely - but not for a Georgian house!

During the whole research process informative blogs such as Treasure Hunt have provided inspiration for many details. When discussing country house chimneys One can't but mention Burghley House, which we visited recently and will be the subject of another installment of the Great Estates Series.

The rooftop chimneyscape of Burghley...

Photo by Jonathan Foyle

Whilst there are many decorative chimney pots out there...

... we are going to stick to something more Georgian and more country house...

But the winner is this one, which is classic, stylish, and understated...

Marble Fireplaces...

We now have to decide on the fireplace settings and mantlepieces for Willowbrook.

There are 8 internal fireplaces and 2 external fireplaces.

Here are some of our favourites so far...

Some of these examples were found at Jamb.co.uk, a company which specializes in high-end chimneypieces, such as the Lansdowne Neoclassical fireplace above, and the Pelham fireplace, below.

Given that English country houses are a hodge-podge of styles, due to additions and alterations over successive generations, we do not have to religiously stick to Georgian period fireplaces, although that period produced some of my favourite stone and plaster work. Anything with a classical and monumental effect will suit well...

I must say that I do prefer natural stone hues to that of more colourful marbles, malachites et al, but they can be pretty...

I am not a fan of ultra tall chimney pieces, but here are a few nice examples...

What are your thoughts???