Nothing says the holidays better than a roaring fire.  The warmth and glow are the perfect antidote to the chilling temperatures and make for cozy winter nights at home. Many fireplaces transcend mere functionality to become an important architectural element of the house.

Here are a few of our favorites featured in a selection of our luxury homes for sale:

Francophiles will appreciate the Renaissance-style fireplace in the Great Room of Maison Normande 123 N Salem Rd Cross River, NY  - just one of the spectacular architectural appointments in this converted Barn that has been stunningly transformed into a charming French country house.

If these walls could talk! Host to many illustrious guests over the years including Sinclair Lewis and Ernest Hemingway, we know that many stimulating conversations have taken place in front of the fireplaces of renowned Troutbeck Inn and Conference Center 1 Troutbeck Ln Amenia, NY . In fact, W.E.B. Dubois is believed to have launched his plans to create the NAACP right here and his friend Colonel Spingarn, the former owner of Troutbeck, went on to become the second president of that organization.

No matter what the season, the oak-paneled living room at Sassafras Farm 44 Boway Rd South Salem, NY displays an elegant ambiance thanks to its stately fireplace, one of the impressive enhancements made to this historic residence, once the homestead of Clark Mead, a member of South Salem's founding family.

What could be more relaxing than sitting by the fire while listening to the gentle music of a waterfall. It's easy to do at the Mill House 665 Titicus Rd North Salem, NY, a magnificently restored 1840s mill house set aside the Titicus River.

For more information on these and other luxury homes for sale, please visit us at www.houlihanlawrence.com