Although attractive and functional, cast-iron firebacks are too heavy for many people to manage easily. Their weight also adds to their shipping costs, and therefore to their total price.

A more modern fireback design, one that is growing in popularity, is made of a sheet of very gently curved, tempered stainless steel. These stainless steel firebacks warm your room in two ways. First, like cast iron firebacks, they radiate heat of fire forward into room. But they also reflect heat, as well as light, of fire into room.

Stainless steel firebacks weigh only one-sixth as much as a similarly sized cast iron fireback, so they are easier to manage and less costly to ship. But their main appeal may be their price: They cost only a fraction as much as their cast iron cousins. Whereas a cast iron fireback, depending on size, can cost $250 to $700, stainless steel versions usually go for $50 to $150.

Both cast iron and stainless steel firebacks dramatically increase room-warming capacity of your wood or gas fireplace fire. The addition of this simple fireplace accessory to your hearth can mean warmer toes and lower heating bills.

Susan Penney appreciates simple ways to make our homes renewing spaces for our families. She invites you to visit http://www.FireplaceMall.com for fireplace accessories to serve your fire-less or your fire-filled fireplace.

If you've never used anything but wax candles, try one of new gel candles. Gel candles are translucent and their shimmering glow is irresistible to eye. You'll find gel candles ready to display in their own attractive glass containers.

Candles and Fragrance

Scented and aromatherapy candles make an excellent choice for kitchen, bedroom or bathroom. Consider odor-neutralizing scented candles a necessity for kitchen when you entertain. They serve triple duty by quickly neutralizing cooking odors, adding a pleasant scent and a touch or warmth. Larger scented candles often include interesting texture, shape and color variation.

Candleholders and Display Options

If you use your patio as a three-season outdoor room, float citronella votives in water on patio for a lily-pads-in-the-pond effect. You'll scare away mosquitoes and other flying irritants at same time. Place all citronella candles a few feet from table so that you don't run off guests along with insects.

Votive holders have blossomed into every imaginable shape, including butterflies, bejeweled beveled glass holders, and seascape holders. Many of votive designs are ideally suited for an outdoor environment.

Hurricane lamps add light and atmosphere to outdoor table in evening. Eve lights can produce harsh lighting, and hurricane lamps provide enough light to see without detracting from atmosphere. When selecting a candleholder for outdoor use, it's important to select one that shields flame from wind, and hurricane lamps provide ample protection from wind.

If you haven't seen newer tea lamp candleholders, you're not going to believe your eyes. These candleholders are every bit as elaborate and intricate as their electrical counterparts. If you prefer formal look of a chandelier, consider a chandelier candleholder for a soft, diffused light. The next time a storm or tornado blows through your area, leaving you without electricity, tea lamp, hurricane and chandelier candleholders will be ready and waiting.

Whatever your décor, imaginative use of candles and candleholders allows you to change your décor as often as you change your mood.