7 modern fireplaces to warm your heart and home

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but these modern fireplaces are so delightful! There's nothing like a crackling fire to add warmth and ambiance to any home, no matter the style. From contemporary to minimalist to traditional, here's how some of Canada's top home builders are cranking up the heat in the hearth department.

Tricked out in tile

The traditional fireplace feature gets a modern makeover with a facade of sophisticated cream-coloured tile boasting a subtle shimmer. Featured by Empire Communities at Wyndfield in Brantford, Ont.

Two-faced

Why “wall it” when you can take it centre stage? This double-sided fireplace featured by Losani Homes floats between the living room and family room of the Millbank II model home at Fairgrounds in Binbrook, Ont., offering privacy, ambience and warmth to each side.

Barely there

Ideal for open concept spaces, this glass fireplace lives at Maskeen Group’s 4,200-sq.-ft. architect-designed home at the exclusive Bishop Hill community in White Rock, B.C. The fireplace features a clean-lined glass enclosure that leaves the sight lines open from dining room to den.

Dark and dramatic

This slate-tiled fireplace is the much-needed exclamation point in this neutral-hued living room. Featured in Excel Homes’ Hillcrest community in Airdrie, Alta.

Stone cold

Silvergate Homes opted for the classic look of tumbled stone in the family room at the model home of Jacob’s Landing in St. Catharines, Ont. The rustic-chic look instantly inspires visions of a crackling fire, hot toddies and wind whipping against the window panes.

Snow white

Dressed in white from ceiling to floor, this modern, minimalist living room boasts a small but bold fireplace at the forefront – an instant attention-grabber. Featured by Springcress at Ravenhill Common in Ottawa, Ont.

Take it outside!

And last but not least... Calgary's Homes by Avi thought outside the box – and outside the home – by adding an awesome alfresco living room to their 2014 Stampede Rotary Dream Home design, complete with a sitting area and fireplace. Blizzard? What blizzard??