The hearth has been the center of the home for thousands of years. The family gathers there for meals and celebration; guests get close for warm conversation. So many times in new homes the mantle appears to be "stuck on" by the builder just because it was suppose to be there. People often use the mantle and surrounding trim as the one place to add a little extra zing to the room or home. It acts as a focal point, drawing people back to the hearth to start the tradition all over again. The following photographs depict the many, many ways a mantle or fireplace can come to life.