On my list of "must have" features for the place I call home, a fireplace consistently ranks right up at the top. Whether I'm feeling like I just want to escape the world with a cappuccino and the morning newspaper, snuggle up with my sweetheart for a romantic evening, or simply pause for a few moments in the midst of a busy day, there’s something inherently appealing about watching flames dance in a hearth .

So as I step into Dynasty Fireplaces in Richmond, I can't suppress a long sigh of appreciation. Here I'm surrounded by fireplaces — fireplaces with ornately carved, iconic motifs and detailing; fireplaces with the crisp sleekness of contemporary minimalism; fireplaces that can be raised so they appear to float against the wall like a masterpiece in an art gallery, and angled fireplaces that tuck neatly into a corner providing both warmth and a niche for art or a television

screen. The sheer variety of shapes, textures, and colour is astonishing — and delightful. I've just succumbed to an urge to run my fingers across the satiny smooth surface of a model carved from rich, buttery-coloured Egyptian granite when I spot Marketing Coordinator David Shen and owner Nick Zhang heading my way. Their smiles assure me I'm far from being the only showroom visitor to be smitten by the refined sensuality each of these fireplaces seems to exude. "This is one of our Italian series," David explains, adding many of their Italian and German designs are Dynasty exclusives.

Natural Beauty

All Dynasty fireplaces, I discover, are made from natural stone creating a sophisticated, long lasting beauty that's totally different to the wooden fireplaces more commonly seen here on the West Coast.

As we wander through the rest of the showroom — which seems to go on forever — David and Nick point out some of the unique characteristics of the many different stones on display. French limestone, for example, is interlaced with luxurious goldcoloured veins giving it a texture totally unlike the pure white of Turkish limestone. "French limestone is very new here in Vancouver and is really proving to be popular," David notes.

We check out a grey sandstone reminiscent of acid polish concrete and a soft, earthtone granite with matte finish. As I pause in front of one snow white mantel, David tells me the Beijing marble is identical to material once used for the Chinese Emperor's palace — personally, I can't help thinking it redefines the word "elegant." On another, this time a wall-flush model perfectly sized for condo dwellers like me, I find a luxurious ebony granite — polished to a mirror sheen with naturally occurring flecks of white dusting the surface, this one remind me of stars twinkling in a midnight sky.

"Only ten percent of natural stone can actually be used for fireplaces because naturally occurring stains will mar the finished surface," Nick tells me, adding Dynasty purchases stone from quarries around the world.

Complementing Your Unique Lifestyle

With 150 different models available — 50 on display and 20 more arriving next week — Dynasty Fireplaces has a design to fit every lifestyle. "People are still surprised by how affordable our stone fireplaces can be — especially when they realize we custom make and install them," David says. Add in easy care, wipe-and-go maintenance, and it all adds up to a fireplace that's tough to beat.

Road in Richmond. For more information call 604-821-1009, or you can visit on the web anytime at www.dynastyfireplace.com.