Firewood and the overall fireplace area are not commonly at the top of designers' agendas. While these areas are sometimes elevated with mosaics, tiles, and paints, they're often seen as primarily functional. However, in true Martha Stewart style, she's made one of the most mundane parts of a room feel more elevated.
On the celebrity-style team, watching archival clips of Stewart is our not-so-guilty pleasure. Most recently, we revisited Stewart's time-honored log store ideas, focusing particularly on the area around your fireplace. In the clip, she recommends various containers that are simultaneously functional and aesthetic – and although the exact pieces are no longer available, there are some almost identical matches on the market.
'I don’t think there’s anything cozier than a beautiful blazing fire any single night of the year – and especially during the winter time. I store my firewood in containers like this,' Stewart says.
First, Stewart draws attention to a wash dolly that's around a century old at the time of filming. It's a reminder that decorating with antiques doesn't need to be reserved for the most beautiful pieces in your living room, and, often, they can be practical. They've already proved they can stand the test of time, after all.
'This is an old wash dolly, probably from the earliest part of the twentieth century. It’s made of galvanized metal, it has a wonderful patina on the outside, and it’s strong and big enough to hold almost an entire day’s supply of logs,' Stewart says.
Though this bucket was initially designed as a planter, it's just as perfect for storing firewood inside your home. Each planter features an irregular pattern along with a tinge of green, with a patina rust finish on the smooth surface. They feel rustic and beautifully distressed – perfect for farmhouse-style living rooms.
Next, Stewart addresses a material that's a consistent favorite here at Homes & Gardens: wicker. 'Another great container for wood is a very sturdy [wicker] basket. It is really wonderfully sturdy. Logs can stand upright. It would be really good next to a small fireplace. You can carry it with its handles; I really like that feature,' she says. This basket from Wayfair is the perfect modern home alternative. It would fit seamlessly in a minimalist living room; however, with wicker, you really can't go wrong anywhere.
It's impossible not to enjoy wicker's retro charm, no matter your house's style. This woven storage basket is made of natural dried plant fibers and robust metal, meaning it's strong enough to hold whatever you need (including firewood) in style.
'Another nice container is this basket. It looks like an old clammer’s basket. It’s made out of metal with wooden handles, it’s easy to carry, and the logs lay flat down in the bottom,' Stewart continues. 'It’s great if you’re going to be burning decorative logs, and I just like it so much.' However, you should approach this basket with caution.
'It will scratch your floors, so you have to either put it on a rug or on a metal plate underneath it,' she warns.
Each of these baskets is crafted from a combination of metal and bamboo, creating a rustic, mixed-material look that's not dissimilar to the one Stewart first used over a century ago. The rectangular shape and nesting design make these baskets versatile for organizing decorative wood, instantly upgrading your fireplace in the process.
'There are other things to pay attention to when you’re bringing your firewood into the house,' Stewart notes.
'Before you carry it in, always knock the logs together – allowing any dust or dirt to fall off the logs and, of course, to dislodge any insects that might be in the wood. Brush off any obvious structures, such as cocoon webbing too.'
It's also important that you bring aged wood to your fireplace. As Stewart explains, freshly cut wood is still green or full of water, which means it will spatter and spit when it burns in your room. 'Dry wood makes less smoke and less ash and takes about six months to get to the right dryness before you bring it in to use in your fireplace,' she says.
'At my house, I like to stack wood outside every doorway. I keep some out by the kitchen door, and I keep some out the back door... It is easily accessible, and I can take out a container like this, or even a log carrier, and bring the wood into the house so that I have plenty on hand.'
If you have a basement, Stewart recommends saving some space for wood so you don't need to go out on cold or wet nights. 'You can just go down your cellar stairs and bring out firewood for your fireplace,' she notes.
'If you’re fortunate or lucky enough to have a fireplace, make sure that you do have a good, sturdy firewood container – and make sure that you choose the right wood for your fireplace. The right size is very important, too. You’ll have some lovely fires to carry you and your family through many chilly seasons.'
