Woodstove adds warmth without dominating room

Perhaps the popularity of televised shows on antiques will persuade the trendy among us that interiors don't have to be filled solely with modern furnishings, art and accessories in order to qualify as stylish.

In fact, I've always regarded rooms with a mix of styles as generally more attractive than those based a single period or look.

Moreover, the individual pieces in an eclectic setting don't all have to be "pretty" in order to produce an interesting design. I'm thinking, for example, of Victorian-era antiques such as stoves and fireplace mantels that may actually appear a bit grotesque.

Of course a room shouldn't contain more than one or two pieces of that sort. The whole point, remember, is to achieve well-balanced variety.

And please also note that a successful outcome won't be automatic. Interiors meant to be eclectic often wind up looking chaotic.

Q: With cold weather on the way, we're considering heating part of our home with a freestanding stove. We're planning to install the stove in a corner of a room with a wooden floor, so something small and minimalist in design would be preferable to a decorative focal point. Any suggestions?

A: I was hoping you'd say you wanted a potbelly stove. It's not hard to find one at a flea market, and after it's been polished you'd have a good-looking heat source for part of your home.

But since you prefer something minimalist, I've chosen the model shown in the accompanying photo.

This stove is featured in "Fire Places," a practical guide to stoves and fireplaces, for indoors and out. This book, written by Jane Gitlin and published by the Taunton Press, shows how a contemporary-style stove can be safely and unobtrusively placed in the corner of a room.

You should surface the section of your wooden floor nearest the stove with a noncombustible material that sparks and embers won't ignite. It can be stone, brick or any fireproof material that would be used on a hearth.

The blue-gray ceramic tile on the wall in this setting complements the color of the stove itself. Tile of this type might be a good choice in your own situation because it will serve to camouflage the stove while also effectively shielding the walls from burns and discoloration.

You should know, however, that a fireproof finish isn't necessary on an adjoining wall if the stove is properly insulated.

Rita St. Clair is a syndicated columnist with Tribune Media Services Inc. E-mail general interior design questions to her at rsca@ritastclair.com.