Nothing warms a home quite like a fireplace, and of course we mean that in every possible respect. Working flame features into an interior can be an art form unto itself, and a unique one in that it's the frame, not the contents, that make the masterpiece. Our properties north of New York City are a diverse bunch representing just about every epoch, style, shape and color, giving our inventory an endless diversity of that covers everything from Colonial-era hearths and cast iron stoves to gas-plumbed modernist walls of fire. We went on the hunt for the most standout mantels snuggling up by the fireplaces of our current listings:
LARCHMONT | 9 Locust Avenue | $2,795,000
Larchmont Manor is best known for its stock of Queen Annes, Colonials and Shingle Styles with wraparound porches and few-blocks walk to the beach, making this Spanish-style manor all the more exceptional. A towering carved limestone mantelpiece and overmantel anchors a dreamy sunken living room, soared over by coffered ceilings with hand-painted insets and accented with wrought iron railings, columns and Mission arches.
SOMERS | 413 Route 202 | $2,495,000
Built at a time when country homes effused simple elegance, the stone mansion of circus entrepreneur Gerard Crane captured uniquely urban sensibilities, with grand proportions more akin to Brooklyn Heights brownstone. The Cranes' cosmopolitan tastes are fully apparent in the ornamentation found throughout the lower level. In the library and formal living room, a duo of hand-carved Italian marble mantelpieces complement plaster moldings, pilasters, friezes and cartouches, playing to a shared theme of talons and the heads of great literary figures.
CHAPPAQUA | 48 Haights Cross | $17,900,000
Kitchen fireplaces aren't incredibly out of the ordinary, but Chappaqua's Rosewood estate, composed of 86+ prime acres in northern Westchester, possesses exceptional mastery. A brick arch and millwork mantelpiece sits flanked by booth seating on both sides. We're pretty sure the aroma of fireplace coupled with whatever is cooking off the designer appliances throughout this lavish cucina is bonafide olfactory nirvana.
WAPPINGER'S FALLS | 8 Turner Mews | $1,499,000
A Colonial-era tavern walked into a house. That's not a one liner that isn't; it's our most accurate description for the heart of this 1743 Hudson Valley farmhouse, authentically restored by the family of none other than fireside music legend Bing Crosby. The original stone farmhouse portion of the structure (which predates amazing fireplace peer The Beekman Arms) was expanded into a center hall Colonial in the the 1770s. The spacious great room, bolstered by hand-hewn posts and beams, is complete with a robust hearth framed by a solid hardwood mantelpiece, set just a few steps past the bar.
RYE | 15 Hilltop Place | $7,500,000
Hand-carved marble mantelpieces occur twice in this Mediterranean-inspired estate on Rye's exclusive Apawamis Club golf course, designed by renowned architect Grosvenor Atterbury. The elegant manse is walking distance to downtown Rye and Metro North, making it a truly unique offering.
SCARSDALE | 35 Birchall Drive | $6,950,000
This circa 1950 stone residence in Scarsdale boasts elegance well beyond its years, and the elaborate wood-paneled study, accented by a fireplace with illustrative etched mantelpiece, is truly a sight.
WACCABUC | 19 Schoolhouse Road | $2,150,000
Behold, the hot seat you want to be in. The facade of this oversized block fireplace at this Tudor in Waccabuc plays two roles: bench seating and curio display.