Many up to date fireplace designs are in appearance very uncomplicated to look at . They are usually made up using clean straight lines and are without the lavish and classical curves that you can get from the more traditional styles of fireplaces. The new range ones come in a matted finish in either a silver colour or can sometimes be made of polished wood. There are lots of different styles of modern fireplaces and you will have to do your research when deciding which style would suit you most.
Cast Iron Fireplaces usually come with an inserted polished cast , this cast will make your modern fireplace seem a lot older in appearance than it is and will help to give you a traditional look for half the cost that it would for instance if you just got a timber surround. I think there are a lot of things to consider when choosing a fireplace and one of the main factors is the style of your home and whether you choose a modern or traditional fireplace.