A fireplace is meant to be the centerpiece of your living space, the heart of your home. Sometimes, however, this focal point is less than impressive and more than lacking in the drama factor. If your fireplace is bland, plain or simply unattractive, a quick color change can do wonders. The secret is using multiple coats to build up depth and create a faux finish, rather than just painting on one flat color.

You will need three complimentary colors for this project in progressively darker shades. Natural stone and earthy colors, such as grays and browns, are ideal. A quart of each color will be more than enough to complete your fireplace. Flat exterior paint works best, providing better resistance and more clemency for the hot environment of the fireplace surround than interior glossy paint.

First, choose a color for your base coat. This should be the lightest color of the three. For instance, if you are going for a stone look, choose a medium gray.

The next color will be used for ragging over the top of your base. This color should be several shades darker than the base color and will provide dimension to your finish.

Finally, choose an accent color. This color will be used in moderation, to highlight and further enhance the finish. It can be a varying color from the first two, as long as it is natural and complimentary.

Begin by protecting all surfaces you don't wish to be painted with drop cloths and painters tape. Apply an even coat of your base color with a paint roller or large paintbrush. A second coat may be needed, depending on the surface and color being painted.

Once the base has completely dried, you can begin applying the next color. Working in one small area (for instance, if your fireplace is brick, do one brick at a time), daub several uneven streaks of paint on the surface. Using a rag, rub the paint, spreading it and pulling it randomly. Continue with another small area until the entire fireplace is complete. A spray bottle of water can be used to dilute the paint while you're working, making it easier to spread and thinning out some areas, creating a more authentic look.

After you have ragged the fireplace to your satisfaction, use the third color to highlight some crevices, corners and other key areas (It is not necessary to rag this color on the entire fireplace). Use the same technique with the rag and spray bottle to soften the edges of the paint.

In addition to painting, you can enhance the look of your fireplace with a few tiles, appliqués, onlays or other architectural elements. In no time and with just a little paint and a few decorative touches, it can be simple to change a plain, ordinary fireplace into a showstopper.

What Consumers Should Know When Using Pour Gel Products Recent incidents highlight the need for consumer education and safety Racine , Wis. - The US Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with Napa Home and Garden on Wednesday announced a voluntary recall of the following products:

• Napafire and FireGel fuel bottles and jugs

This recall is for the Napafire and FireGel bottles and jugs only. No other gel fuels are involved.

Real Flame, a Racine, Wis.-based company that has sold gel-fueled products for more than two decades, urges that consumers read and follow all labels, instructions and warnings when using Real Flame or any fire-related products.

"We take consumer safety very seriously," said John Ridgeway, vice president of sales and marketing for Real Flame. "We have sold get-fueled products for nearly 30 years and have an outstanding safety record."

"Gel-fueled products, just like log fireplaces or any other fire-related products, carry with them the risks associated with fires, but are safe as long as proper care and attention are taken when using the products."

He urges consumers be aware of the following points and "best practices" to prevent unexpected ignition, fires and potential injuries when using pour gel products and outdoor fireplaces and pots this summer season.

• As you should with any flammable product such as lighter fluid, torch oil and so on, you should always carefully read all labels, instructions and warnings before using flammable products, Make sure labels and directions don't get thrown away with the packaging.

• Do NOT add fuel of any sort to any existing fire for any reason. Follow the cool-down directions exactly. Lighting a gel-fueled product before it has properly cooled can result in injury.

• Real Flame's pour gel fuel labels clearly call out the fact that they are a fire-related product. Real Flame uses the international symbol for fire on the front along with specific warnings regarding the use of the product.

• The directions for Real Flame products begin with bold print informing the customer to never add fuel to a reservoir when it's already burning or hot. The instructions clearly state that the consumer needs to allow our products to cool at least 20 minutes before lighting it again.

• In case of an accident, consumers should use baking powder or a dry chemical extinguisher to extinguish a gel fuel fire. Do not attempt to pat the fire out or throw water on it.

• Treat all fire-related products with extreme care and caution. This includes charcoal grills, a wood burning fire, an oil-based torch or any fire-related product. Fire adds a beautiful ambiance to any setting, but if use and care directions are not followed injury can occur.

• Real Flame works closely with fire departments throughout the United States many times each year to test and approve products for burning at major trade events. This includes: infrared heat testing, stability of product, flame height and risk of injury. Real Flame has an outstanding record with the Chicago, Las Vegas and Atlanta Fire Departments and will continue to work with each for many years to come.

Ridgeway says that consumers should also be aware there are different formulations of pour gel fuel in the marketplace today with different qualities and burning characteristics.

Real Flame Pour Gel

• The experts at Real Flame recommend ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (IPA)-based canned or pour gel products.

• Unlike ethanol-based fuel, IPA-based gel fuel burns with a vivid orange flame, which is easier for a consumer to see. That can help a consumer avoid pouring gel fuel on an existing fire, which can cause the fire to flash or flare. However, extreme care should be taken to ensure the fire is completely out since most fires can become difficult to see toward the end of a burn.

• Real Flame works closely with its fuel manufacturer, repeatedly testing various formulations of Real Flame's exclusively blended gel products in its offices and giving the fuel supplier feedback regarding burn characteristics.

• Our exclusive formulation has been sold in seven countries for close to 30 years, and we have established an outstanding safety record using our IPA-based gel fuel products

• Real Flame - Committed to Safety

• Real Flame has been in the fire-related business for nearly 30 years and has an outstanding record of safety.

• The company is committed to research and development to ensure products have undergone several steps of testing before they are introduced to consumers. It has worked with independent labs as well as fire departments at major cities.

• Real Flame has worked with fire-based products for close to 30 years, and has designed and patented some of its own products.

Media Availability

John Ridgeway Vice President Sales and Marketing for Real Flame would be happy to assist any media or retailer in any way to help you better understand this business and answer your customer questions. He is available to conduct in-person, phone and satellite interviews regarding best practices and consumer tips for safe use of fuel gel.

To schedule an interview, please call Lori Richards at (414) 390-5500 or lrichards@muellercommunications.com .

About Real Flame Company

For nearly 30 years Real Flame Company, a division of Jensen Metal Products, has been the leader in the production and sale of gel-fueled fireplaces and accessories. All of its products are manufactured to the highest standards and, of course, safety is the top priority in all of its designs.

Real Flame's Gel Fuel is an exclusive premium alcohol-based blend that requires no ventilation when burned. No chimney, no gas hookups and no electricity needed.

Tested and approved for indoor and outdoor use, Real Flame Gel Fuel meets all clean air requirements established by both OSHA and the EPA.

Many people find the beauty of a natural wood fire hard to resist. However, traditional fireplaces are ineffective for home heating, and tests have shown that they draw a large amount of warm air out of the house while delivering little heat. Conventional fireplaces also exhaust particulates and other toxic combustion products to the outdoor air. More

If your fireplace firebrick is cracked or broken, you should replace the refractory brick before continuing the use the fireplace. Universal firebrick from Hargrove offers a simple and inexpensive method of replacing the fireplace firebrick.

How to easily repair the inside of your fireplace

Panels are 3/4" thick and can be easily cut to fit with a skill saw and masonry blade. The fireplace panels have large brick pattern and will adapt to almost any fireplace. You can order multiple panels to fit larger fireplaces. Firebrick panels can also be used on the hearth (bottom) of your fireplace. Panels are 24" wide and 28" high.

A direct vent fireplace is often a gas fireplace that does not require a chimney. Instead, a direct vent is placed from the gas fireplace to an exterior wall on your home. Fireplaces which use direct vents let you place fireplaces in just about any room in your home. The direct vent routes harmful chemicals and by-products found in natural gas out of the home while allowing you to enjoy the warmth of your fireplace.

Energy Efficient Direct Vent Fireplace for Your Home

When you want an energy efficient direct vent fireplace, you should shop at Copperfield Chimney Supply . This company provides quality hearth products for your entire home and has been in business for over thirty years. You can find Napoleon and Majestic brand direct vent units available in a variety of designs and styles to fit the décor of any room in your home.

Now you can easily do so with the Anywhere Fireplace™ . The high style and distinctive contemporary design of the Anywhere Fireplace™ allows the ambiance of a fireplace to be enjoyed in any room and with certain styles even designed to use outdoors.