When it comes to beating winter chills a fire with flickering flames is so appealing - and an ideal focal point. And there is an added bonus, apart from toasting your toes, fires add value to a property, according to recent research by estate agents.

Jo Aldridge, of Stacks Property Search and Acquisition, said: "There is nothing like a beautiful open fire to reel in a property purchase.

"Any estate agent worth his salt will light a fire in a grate before taking interior photos so canny vendors should make sure the fire is lit to welcome prospective purchasers.

"At this time of year especially, a blazing open fire inspires comfortable and cosy feelings in a homebuyer," Jo added.

Paul Chesney of fireplace specialists Chesney's confirms the trend: "There is a huge resurgence of enthusiasm for fires and fireplaces which are now considered fundamental to the design of rooms.

"A beautiful fireplace as a living room focal point is almost on a par with a good-looking bathroom or kitchen as a home essential.

"There is an acceptance that fires bring rooms alive as well as being a practical heat source."

But Aldridge sounds a word of warning about fuel costs and the growing drive to be green, and urges that heating should be efficient and economic as well as attractive.

"As much as an open fire is a wonderful thing, consider how much fuel it consumes - fuel costs are rising - and how much heat it gives out.

"It is important to consider the practicalities as well as the look, and ensure that an open fireplace isn't also a source of draughts," Paul said.

Those energy-efficiency and eco considerations are fuelling a trend for stoves - which have shed their practical but dull image and are now visually appealing.

But combining an open fire' with other heating is hugely popular, as Paul points out: "Flame-effect gas fires are now so sophisticated and efficient it is almost impossible to distinguish between those and the real thing."

So, if you want to turn up the heat, follow our guide to the hottest options around.

TOP TRENDS Paul Chesney said: "Limestone fireplaces in a simple style without fussy carving but with stone mason moulding are the most popular choice. The fashion favours those which are a chic blend of contemporary and vintage.

"In general, wooden fireplaces, apart from mahogany, have fallen out of favour as they can often clash with other woods in the room. But marble is making a comeback and in 2008 a trend for coloured marble in black, dark green or brown will emerge."

FLAMING TRADITIONAL Capture the Victorian look with the Kensington surround from Wickes (above), incorporating a gas fire. It is cast iron, pairs with a marble or black granite hearth, and costs £499. Valor's Dimension range of electric fires includes a Classica brass or pewter fire (left) - a chic twist on an historical design. Fires start from £599.

Elgin & Hall's classic range is comprehensive and comes in a variety of finishes and effects. Mimic regal grandeur by having fire surrounds from After the Antique which create replicas of those from royal palaces.

They include two from Kensington Palace - a white marble surround from Princess Margaret's dining room, and a marble surround from Queen Victoria's bedroom. They start from £785.

Top Choice: Chesney's limestone Burlington fire surround £1,469, and the Nash in marble, from £3,466.

CHOOSING A FIREPLACE Framing that open fire with the right fireplace is essential.

Paul Chesney advises: "If you're installing a fireplace for the first time, don't feel you have to go for a design that matches the age of your house.

"It is far better to be guided by your decorating scheme. Choose something you find attractive which is also the right proportion for the room."

Ceiling height, room depth and the chimney-breast width need to be considered so the surround suits the room's proportions.

Chesney said: "Take a photo of the room or arrange a home visit and seek professional advice before buying."

OFF THE WALL No chimney needn't mean no fire. The Wickes range of gas or electric Hang On The Wall' feature fires with flame effect don't require additional ventilation.

Appropriately named after artists, there's a Turner gas fire, £1,199, electric log effect Manet, £999, and an electric Dali fire (below), £399. Valor's Visia electric fire (right), with a black and white finish and flickering fire effect, can also be hung on the wall. It costs around £499.

Mounting a flat screen TV above a fireplace can leave you with a crick in your neck, as a standard-height fireplace means the screen is often too high on the wall for comfortable viewing.

A new limestone and granite fireplace, Visionary (below, right) by After the Antique, has proportions designed to allow room for the screen to be hung at the correct viewing height and costs £2,400.

STYLISH STOVES Once only common in Scandinavia these are rapidly gaining popularity here, possibly because of their energy credentials. While a traditional open fire is estimated to throw out about 20 per cent of its heat, some of the latest stoves claim to generate around 80 per cent heat efficiency.

Simon Holden at specialist company, Euroheat, advises: "Before making a stove choice think about your lifestyle.

"Some people love making up fires, but if that is too time-consuming, consider a gas or electric stove rather than a wood-burning model."

But Declan Walsh, general manager at Morso, which makes wood-burning stoves, says they are definitely the choice of the green brigade. "Environmental concerns have prompted a boom in demand for stoves, as burning wood is carbon neutral - meaning that the same amount of carbon dioxide is produced as if the wood was left to naturally rot on the forest floor."

He also points out that the wide range of designs means they suit a broad range of interior design schemes.

"They are no longer made just for the traditional country cottage market," Declan added.

Morso's new collection includes chic contemporary stoves and it also sells two gas-powered models (right). Stoves start from £1,206.

Or, get the look with an electric log-effect black cast iron Bijou stove from Wickes (top left). Its stoves start from £79 to £299, while Valor's electric Eden stove, with flame effect, is £149.

12:12pm Tuesday 22nd January 2008

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