Ugly House Photos

Design Through the Decades - Part 31

Fireplaces in Phoenix, Arizona had different purposes over the decades.  In the 1950s, they were for warmth.  In the 1960s, for design.  In the 1970s, for dominance (they took over the room).  In the 1980s, for conversation & gathering.

By the 1990s, Phoenix fireplaces became the forgotten stepchild.  If someone wanted a fireplace, fine, they got one, but it was small, camouflaged, or put in a corner.

Here’s a typical fireplace of the 1990s.  White walls, white paint, white tile surround.  No hearth.  No mantel.

1990 Phoenix home.  Everything’s white.

Still white in 1994.

Another fireplace in 1994.  Wow, there’s some color, but notice how the fireplace just blends into the room.  It’s not set up for furniture to be arranged around it.

The gigantic entertainment niche reduces the prominence of the fireplace in this 1996 Phoenix home.

This 1997 home threw the fireplace in the corner.

Just a wallflower at the dance of life in 1998.

Sometimes a 1990s fireplace was reduced in size and put at an angle so no one would have to look at it.

Why even bother having a fireplace?  Where would you place furniture?  Can’t put anything to the right, because the dining is there.  Can’t put it to the left, because there’s a door.

Simple design element of 99-cent eight inch tile surround.

Outdoor fireplaces in the 1990s were rare.  Most people bought clay chimineas or portable firepots.  This beehive fireplace is from a 1995 Carefree, Arizona home.

Coming Up:  Wait ’til you see what happened to Phoenix fireplaces in the 2000s.