The Inglenook

An "inglenook" refers to a "little room within a room," or an enclosed hearth surrounding a large fireplace. This has its origins in practical medieval architecture as a space for cooking or gathering for warmth. It can most popularly be found in modern lodges, or Arts & Crafts homes or Prairie homes, as a cozy bench or corner tucked in next to a large, open fireplace.

For a fascinating article describing the history and structure of the quaint inglenook, follow this link to the This Old House website:

This Old House article describing origins of the inglenook

Pictured here is an example of an inglenook in Frank Lloyd Wright's Heurtley House in Oak Park, IL (above, right),...




...and a room within a room inglenook in a Stickley Arts & Crafts home (at left),...






...and a medieval Tudor inglenook at Manor House in Monkton Combe, Somerset, England (at right).