But designers are seeing fireplaces return to basics, where the fire itself is the star of the show. Behold the modern fireplace.

"More people are gravitating toward minimal surrounds," says Jonathan Kelly, manager of Fireplace & Bar-B-Q Center in Overland Park, Kan. "Fireplace interiors are becoming more streamlined, too."

Until recently, gas-insert manufacturers tried to replicate real logs. But now tumbled glass or river stone inserts are becoming more popular.

"People don't want to look at big, massive logs," Kelly says. "What's soothing and relaxing are the flames."

Design consultant Kim Ebner of Kansas City, Mo., went to a more streamlined fireplace when she remodeled her Dutch Colonial home a few years ago. She replaced the patterned green-tile and wooden mantel with three large pieces of unadorned limestone that reach to the top of the 8-foot ceiling. No mantel.

"I wanted the fireplace to look sculptural and simple," says Ebner, an artist.

Instead of wood logs, the fireplace uses gas. The insert is made of cement spheres.

"I love the organic look of the ball shape with the linear surrounds," she says.

Because she loved the warmth and ambience that a fireplace provides, she added a ventless gas fireplace between the kitchen and dining room. It is a see-through glass firebox simply surrounded in drywall. She had the black box painted silver for a more updated look. The look is pared down but elegant, like a classic black-and-white photograph framed in a white wooden frame instead of an ornamental gilded one.

Ventless fireplaces have a few downsides, Kelly says. It means hiring a plumber to install a gas line. The fireplaces also can produce an odor that some customers worry about.

But because of ventless and newer fireplace options, such as biofuel burning, interior designer Sara Noble of Olathe, Kan., is seeing fireplaces in more areas of the home. One of her clients, Wendy Lucas of Overland Park, installed one in her family's new home that is visible in the master bedroom and bathroom. It is a modern, unadorned look with a rock gas insert.

The focal point in Lucas' living room is a concrete fireplace by Liquid Stone Designs of Lenexa, Kan., with a dramatic floating hearth—perfect for sitting around.

"I love its patina, its color and its smoothness," Lucas says. "It's modern yet organic."

Noble says more of her clients are going for a modern look, and therefore, more modern fireplaces. In her home, her husband, Todd Noble, tiled over the ivory porcelain square tiles of the fireplace and removed the dentil molding. The couple incorporated horizontal gray glass, slate and marble tiles in a style that's reminiscent of the style of HGTV designer Candice Olson, who likes to mix in a bit of bling.

"Just this little bit of material made a big difference," Noble says. "I get more compliments on the fireplace than anything else."

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RESOURCES

Chiasso, www.chiasso.com

EcoSmart Fire, www.ecosmartfire.com

Fireside Custom Hearth Collection, 10312 W. 79th St., Shawnee, 913-831-6366, www.firesidekc.com

Fireplace & Bar-B-Q Center, 10470 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 913-383-2286, www.fireplacecenterkc.com

Kim Ebner Designs, Kansas City, 816-797-9655

Liquid Stone Designs, 10673 Widmer Road, Lenexa, 913-649-8960, www.liquidstonedesigns.com

Midwest Fireplace, 1351 Old 56 Highway, Olathe, 913-764-5575

Noble Designs, Olathe, 913-558-1139, www.saranobledesigns.com 3 UPDATE IDEAS

Simple screen: In lieu of a scrolling metal screen, a clear glass screen with stainless steel legs is modern and classic. (Casa screen, $348, Chiasso)

Snazzier insert: Those who don't like the look of fake logs for their gas fireplace now have lots of options: glass pebbles, stones and cement spheres, cubes and pyramids. (Starting at $350, Fireside)

Cool tools: If traditional blackened metal fireplace tools aren't your thing, there are silver-finish shovels, brushes, tongs, pokers and stands. (Set with stand, $159, Crate and Barrel, 4601 W 119th St., Leawood, 913-469-5100, www.crateand barrel.com)

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BIOETHANOL BURNERS

There is no need for a gas line or chimney. These fireplaces use denatured alcohol — not gas or wood — as fuel.

The odorless flames don't emit smoke. There's a slight smell of rubbing alcohol that dissipates when the fire is extinguished.

1 1/4 gallons of fuel (found at hardware stores) burns up to seven hours on maximum and up to 20 hours on minimum.

While they mostly create ambience, they do provide a little warmth: about 13,000 BTUs vs. 36,000 to 80,000 BTUs from gas fireplaces.

They're versatile from room to room. But if wall-mounted, they should be installed on a solid, fireproof wall. The room should be well-ventilated, and it should have at least an 8-foot ceiling and be about 250 square feet.

12-by-12-inch burners start at about $1,680. Surrounds are separate.

Screens are available that attach to the fireplaces, protecting children and pets.

Electronic burners will be available next year so people won't have to manually switch off burners.

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Fireplaces have become more energy efficient in recent years. Expect to pay $3,000 for one that is 80 percent efficient.

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CONCRETE

The Lucas family of Overland Park has a modern fireplace made of concrete by Liquid Stone Designs of Lenexa. Five-year-old Ivan Lucas sits on the 10 1/2-inch thick hearth.

TILE

Interior designer Sara Noble of Olathe, Kan., chose the materials and her husband, Todd Noble, tiled their family's living room fireplace with horizontal glass and natural stone tiles. The materials cost about $350. "Doing work yourself can be a good cheap trick," she says.

DUAL EFFICIENCY

Kim Ebner loves turning on the fireplace in chilly weather because it heats the dining room and kitchen. "I love how it looks, but it also makes it nice and toasty." This stainless steel wall-mounted fireplace uses biofuel.

$1,298, Chiasso Freestanding Igloo glass fireplace (35 1/2 inches tall, 38 1/2 inches wide, 19 1/2 inches deep) by EcoSmart uses biofuel,

$4,700, Fireplace & Bar-B-Q Center