Light my fire Shoparound

"Every interior environment needs a focal point. Traditionally, the fireplace was it. And it still is, for very good reasons," says Brian Jennings, director of Douglas Wallace Architects.

The type of fireplace you choose sets the tone of the room. Do you want a dominant piece of design or would you prefer something discreet that comes to life only when lit?

"Plain, simple lines are what customers want from the more traditional-style fireplaces," says William Buckley, director of Buckley Fireplaces. "Wooden surrounds have fallen from grace in favour of off-white limestone surrounds," he says.

But in an increasingly looks orientated world has the public turned its back on the real fire? While consumers crave convenience nothing beats the special-occasion real fire. "We are and we remain a nation of fire builders," says Justin Maguire, Bord Na móna brand manager.

What of gas, electric and solid-fuel options that burst into flames at the simple flick of a switch? "There is a trend back towards solid fuel as gas and electricity both become prohibitively expensive," says Buckley.

Despite price hikes there is still a demand for open-gas fires, says Adrian Cash, of Hearth and Home.

"Our customer is after the aesthetic on offer as much as the heat-seeking solutions."

Pellet and wood-burning stoves (for which grants are available) are being selected for efficiency rather than their rustic appeal. Glass-fronted stoves are 80 per cent energy efficient whereas an open fire is only 25 per cent efficient.

Hearth and Home's (01-620 0100) Bodert & Gonay wood burning Phoenix 850, is creature comfort central (€3,965). "Most homeowners prefer simple, frameless styles, comparable to the direction taken by televisions plasma screens. Many want their fire at television level and their plasma screen installed above it," says Cash. Buckley Fireplaces' (01-293 6952) Infinity VSC convector fire is picture perfect. Price €1,250.

For those who want their fire to be more than a means to a heating end there is also a huge amount of choice. The bespoke Round Table, (€20,645) from Belfast-based Gosh Design, (048 9023 9037), is pure Fred and Wilma Flintstone - if they had been part of the Wallpaper generation.

"These pieces become the focal feature in a room. The style statement they make outweighs any efficiency issues customers may have," says Gosh's Nicola Graham.