We’ve collected photos of vintage brick fireplaces from the 1940s through the 1970s, showing these fireplaces have been integrated into decor over those inspiring mid-century decades – and still maintain their charm as the warming heart of any home.
fireplace
Ever since the 80s, the iconic conversation pit has seemed hopelessly out-of-date. Could it be poised for a comeback?
Built in a style that was super popular at the time, the midcentury stone fireplace didn’t appear overpowering, thanks to the lofty ceiling and extensive glass areas above it and on the sides.
Here’s how one interior designer back in the early 1970s envisioned a retro-futuristic living room – a space filled with fashion-forward furnishings that were modern, fun and colorful.
In this contemporary home from the early 1950s, the beautiful red brick fireplace wall extended all the way beyond the cypress wood paneling on the high vaulted ceiling, and out over the lofty gabled slopes of the roof itself.
Jutting out from the corner wall of this cool, contemporary living room was a fireplace and chimney of very neatly laid natural grey stone.
The white brick fireplace effectively divided the living room from the dining room without obstructing the flow of traffic. It was massive, but the overall spaciousness of the combined areas kept it in scale with the rest of the house.
This large two-sided stone fireplace was perfect for its setting – the double-duty living room of a home in Lake Tahoe, seen here as it was back in the early 1960s.
When this Northern California home was renovated and redecorated back in the mid-1960s, the owners added a charming circular stone fire pit right in the middle of the room.
A contemporary overscaled paisley pattern splashed with lotus blossoms was a vital part of this 1960s home’s colorfully eclectic dining room decor.
A central feature of this impressive mid-century modern living room was the huge, two-story fireplace that reached right up into the very peak of the vaulted ceiling.
Near the very contemporary and quite airy white fireplace, there were charming bursts of bright color from the pair of yellow modern chairs and the royal blue stool.
Mirrors, soft textures and pale colors – plus some unique decorative elements – brought a look of classic sophistication to this elegant 1940s living room.
This wood-paneled 1940s house was held up as a fine example of the maturing character of American Modern architecture. It used no line or material that was not necessary.
This vintage living room decor was set in front of one of this home’s most impressive architectural features: the wide, ceiling-height masonry fireplace wall.
This Beverly Hills mansion’s elegant study décor – seen here in the early 1970s – was a portrait of contrast between warm surfaces of natural wood and solid expanses of deep blue silk.
First of all, there was the focal point of this stylish contemporary 1960s living room: the stone fireplace wall with floor-to-ceiling plants growing on either side of the hearth.
A variety of antique and contemporary textures were so creatively mixed in this chic 1950s living room that they added more than just surface interest.
A two-sided stone fireplace sat between this renovated home’s solarium and game room. It featured a modern style molded plaster hood, and an elevated round marble hearth.
This cozy retro carpeted conversation pit with comfortable built-in sofas drew party guests irresistibly toward the hearth of this dramatic living room from the 60s.
When you look at this vintage home decor from the sixties, you’ll see that the timbered finishes plus team USA colors combined to give this living room a unique feel – a little like modern style met Americana.
To make this roof-high fieldstone fireplace look as if it had always been there, during the home’s renovation in the 60s, it was constructed of the same material as the tall old walls.
This dramatic two-story tall grey and white brick fireplace was the centerpiece of this hexagonal living room – a super eye-catching interior design feature.
Take a look at this vibrant lemon yellow and black retro living room, and you may feel like you just woke up and found yourself back in the seventies.
An exuberant splurge of mixed pattern colored this cool and colorful plaid-filled family room, seen here as it looked back in 1972.
Rather than a typical horizontal edge across the top of the opening, or even instead of an arch shape, this home had a low-peaked triangular fireplace. Take a look!
Where this retro op-art fireplace ended at the top of the wall, a designer added more plaster to match the rest of the chimney breast, curving it up onto the ceiling.
This panoramic living room from the late 1960s included several creative elements, but the main focal point was the huge dramatic fireplace that was set in the middle of the room.
A piece of fabric, in the form of draperies, was the nucleus for this 1950s modern color scheme that was bright and smart.
With just a travertine-topped table, four chairs, a four-door cabinet, and two daybeds, the designer of this vintage 1960s beachside living room achieved a look of remarkable opulence.
Massive beams gave solidity to this contemporary living room, bringing it into line – literally and figuratively – with the fireplace wall and the generous hearth.
The light & spacious 60s living room, although not formal, had a casual dignity about it. Its open spaciousness was enclosed by a simple structure built predominantly of wood and stone.
One of the most beautiful features of this classic midcentury modern home was the tall brick fireplace that sat beneath the living room’s high cathedral ceilings.
You’ve seen brick fireplaces, tall fireplaces, freestanding fireplaces… but what about a mouth-shaped fireplace with scalloped inner edges that looked a lot like teeth?
One important ingredient for this simple retro mod living room: the high walls and ceilings were all painted white wood, giving the tall room a spacious feel.
Here’s a gorgeous home from 1959 that featured a conversation pit by a fireplace – one example of a luxurious vintage midcentury modern home admired all these decades later.
This delightfully eclectic country-style living room from the 1960s is packed full of treasures in an almost Victorian style.
French countryside furnishings, gleaming copper pots, and exposed stained beams on the emerald green ceiling all contribute to the friendly feeling of this rustic retro kitchen from the 60s.
In this 1950s home, the kitchen family room decor in grey and blue had a foundation of gray slate floors, and the fireplace brick was even painted gray for color harmony.
Marvelously spacious, this fresh & airy living room had ceilings 15 feet high, and was created in space that used to be a dark, closed-in garage.
Softly glowing textures of golden beige brick walls and silver-gray carpeting gave this large midcentury modern living room an intimate quality.
There was nothing run of the mill about the decor of this unusual and enchanting modern living room. Here’s a look!
Positioned below a low ceiling’s white beams and planks, the triangular fireplace opening gave this home’s bohemian living room an eyecatching look.
Warm up with a look back at 30 different beautiful vintage fireplaces that were once found in homes across the US.
Check out this collection of beautiful antique Victorian fireplaces – detailed mantels and classic grates – with an elegant style to suit homes of the late 1800s.
For a ’60s-style Christmas, give something out of this world! On the launching pad and ready to go in Santa’s space capsule are a collection of vintage creative holiday gifts for the home.
