Baby, it’s cold outside. Unless you’re one of those ultra annoying people currently all over my Instagram feed, sunning yo ass on the French Riviera, somewhere in Portugal or the south of Spain, or possibly on one of the Greek Islands. In which case, your life is officially better than mine, you make me feel sick, and FYI – I have probably already unfollowed you… Ok, I know that’s a bit harsh, but as I said, it’s cold out there and I’m a bit grumpy about it.
In any case, I decided to take matters in my own hands and put together a Story that will makes us all feel cosy, warm and toasty. And what better way to do that than sitting around a beautiful open fireplace. With a nice big glass of red. Or a whiskey. (Or coffee & tea, in case you’re reading this in the morning and my whiskey reference is making your porridge curdle in your stomach – sorry guys!).
All jokes aside, the real reason for this Story is the sole fact that fireplaces are kind of a big deal. Not only can a fireplace turn a house into a home, they are often big ticket items that also open doors to a bunch of building complexities that need to be resolved. But the reason we love them so much is that, not only can they provide a major focus in any room, fireplaces are also the ultimate social lubricant. So much better than a television, a lot more interactive than a dumb heater. They have this natural pull, and everyone always wants to sit around a fireplace if one is available in the room. The soft flickering of the light, the feeling of gentle heat enveloping the space, the warmth on our faces… It’s all so alluring and mesmerising. There’s also an element of nostalgia to fireplaces. Like moths to a flame, people have worshiped fire in the ancient times as the only source of warmth, and this very idea taps into our primal instinct until this day.
Having worked on a number of projects with fireplaces, I’ve come to realise that choosing the right solution is not always an easy task. We are often limited by space, budget, building structure, usage of the room, client’s and/ or our own lifestyle. And then there’s another crucial question when choosing a modern fireplace, one that ultimately guides our design choices – do we chose gas or wood burning? Well, we all have our preferences, or course (i.e. for me, it’s wood burning all the way!). Having said that, gas is advantageous as a clean source of heat that can be conveniently concealed behind glass doors, in turn making it a ‘safer’ option. However, if the space you’re working with already has the infrastructure and masonry walls to facilitate a wood burning fireplace, wood stands as an eco-friendly choice that will provide an unparalleled ambience.
Today we take a tour of seventy five (no shit!) projects with fireplaces — both wood and gas burning — divided into ten categories: Central, Custom Formed, Concrete, Brick, Marble Clad, Open, Corner, Built In, Freestanding and Outdoor. Enjoy!
Central fireplaces, as the name suggests, act as the focus, nay the hero within a room. In many cases they deliver the feeling similar to that of sitting around an open campfire – a space that offers a place to gather and exchange stories (and drink schnapps).
In some cases these fireplaces make a pimpin’ statement – i.e. Bate Smart’s circular fireplace for Vibe Hotel in Canberra is inspired by the geometry of Walter Burley Griffin’s plan for the city of Canberra. At other times they act a structural element – like Liddicoat & Goldhill’s Ancient Party Barn conversion that partially supports a new mezzanine floor with it’s tapering brick chimney.
In all cases, central fireplaces act as a linking device between various spaces, in turn becoming room dividers, or ‘space definers’ that naturally occupy a large open area, thereby giving them purpose and meaning.
A fireplace is always a big design opportunity, and there’s nothing like a custom formed steel number to create visual impact, be it classic or cutting edge look we are after.
Suspended, freestanding or built-in, what these guys all have in common is that they were designed to fit into the spaces where they are located.
I mean, what can I say. Concrete fireplaces are rather jaw dropping. End of story. That’s because in most of these cases, it’s not the fireplace or the firebox itself that’s made from concrete, but rather it’s the material that surrounds the fire.
This particular category is more about the overall architecture, than the fireplace itself. So if your project is a concrete fest, don’t forget to use the opportunity to go to town on a little bit of architectural fireplace gymnastics. (But don’t forget to do your stretches first ;p)
Brick and fire have been excellent mates from way back, so it’s not surprising to find so many delicious examples of brick fireplaces that add a homey, sophisticated touch.
Brick communicates a more relaxed, casual vibe than some the other masonry material choices, also acting as the perfect surface that’s happy to receive an open flame in all it’s glory. Double win.
Just as one would expect, marble (and other stone) creates a more upmarket, urban vibe when used as a fireplace surround. In addition to marble, the most popular types of fireplace stone include limestone, granite, slate and travertine – a contemporary nod to antique marble mantel pieces often found in heritage homes.
These two-for-the-price-of-one situations create an effective visual anchor. A stunning see-through fireplace allows us to add architectural interest and ambiance to multiple spaces in a creative way. One fireplace – multiple rooms of enjoyment. And who doesn’t love a bit of bang… I mean, for their buck ;)
Casa Malaparte (Villa Malaparte) Isle of Capri, Italy by Adalberto Libera.
Corner fireplaces are a hybrid between central and open/ see through fireplaces, very much acting as the hero.
There’s something so romantic about these modern corner shapes, they will probably make romance rise to a whole new level. Yeah baby! They are a sculpture, a divider, a piece of built-in furniture. Except, there are very few pieces of furniture that will make you feel this satisfied and relaxed.
Social Building for the Young in Spain by Esther Luengo Martinez & Francisco Munoz Vazquez. Photo by Fernando Alda.
BUILT IN FIREPLACES.
Perhaps the most common kind of them all, built in fireplaces need not be less exciting than their floating, centrally located counterparts.
Built in fireplace has been the most prominent architectural element in the home for centuries – a feature that can send real estate agents into a spin. From the height of the firebox opening, to the shape of the hearth, to incorporating mantels, sculptural shrouds, even lighting, the options are virtually endless. You wish you could say the same about budgets on all your projects, right? I feel ya.
It goes without saying that by virtue of acting as a visual anchor and traditional focal point within a space, freestanding fireplace needs to do more than just provide heat – it also needs to be beautifully designed, act as an efficient warm heart within a room, much like a functional piece of art. Which, let’s agree, all of these guys here are doing just beautifully.
When I grow up, I want to have an outdoor fireplace just like one of these, so I can toast marshmallows whenever I feel like it. In addition to this obvious life win, outdoor fireplaces ultimately redefine open-air spaces, turning them into year-round rooms for entertaining. Al fresco perfection!