Hearth Accessories have virtually disappeared. Our business was built on accessorizing fireplaces..glass doors, screens, firetools, woodbaskets, etc.  I counted two glass door suppliers and maybe three accessory lines displaying in Orlando.  To cap it off, the industry wide Vesta Awards  listed "No Winner" under the Hearth Accessories category.....Indeed!

 

Where's the beef??  The biggest and supposedly most innovative firebox manufacturers were a no-show. It would be like Microsoft and Intuit not showing up for a major software show... I know times are tough, but come on!!!

 

Contemporary linear fireplaces, along with glass and stones persist.  Multiple colors of glass gems is an interesting and welcome new twist.

 

Ethanol based fireplaces are making some headway. this is the one item I actually placed an order for at the show!! It's an alternative when gas piping or flue venting is not possible.  Stop in and see em burning in our showroom sometime. Blackandstone.com 

 

Electric fireplaces are strong as ever.  They account for 20% of all fireplaces sold in the US.  In fact, the Best in Show Vesta Award went to the Optimyst electric fireplace by Dimplex.  I have to admit, it's pretty cool. check out the video at: Optimyst on YouTube 

 The chart above shows the attendance statistics for the HPBA Expo over the last 10 years.  As you can see, it is a reflection of the overall economy and especially the level of homebuilding/construction.