Designed by Dan Kiley. Photo: Lionel Freedman •º Designed by Palmer & Krisel for Midwood Construction Co. Photo: Douglas M. Simmonds

Now the fireplace serves the family room, the new center of activity (above). Right: The fireplace is almost like a storage wall, its design simplified, direct.

Today's fireplace fits in many kinds of rooms ...

Dual-purpose fireplace extends its hearth to form a serving counter in this fresh example of the new fireplace that does several jobs