How to Choose the Right Fireplace for your Home
The perfect addition to your home during the current Australian winter season is a fireplace. Fireplaces create a stylish focal point while adding character and sparkle to any room.
There are a number of exciting designs available today from freestanding wood fireplaces to minimalist insert fireplaces among many others. With the wide range of heating products available, it is understandable that many people can get overwhelmed when choosing the perfect one for their home.
Read on for practical tips on how you can select and get the most fitting fireplace today.
Selecting the Perfect Fireplace
There are several key factors to look at when choosing a fireplace. You first have to decide whether the fireplace will be your primary source of heating for your living room. Is it for aesthetic reasons and creating a charming atmosphere, or do you want one that can provide both?
Clearly defining what you need is an excellent first step in identifying the best fireplace for your home. You can also include things like budget and style preferences here to get a clearer idea of your ideal set up.
Deciding how you’ll fuel your fireplace or heater is also a significant consideration. Here is a breakdown of the features of using gas, electric, or wood fireplaces.
Wood fireplaces
Wood fireplaces are reasonably straightforward to use and maintain as they run on firewood. As the most conventional and oldest fireplace choice, people choose these fireplaces because they enjoy that authentic smell, look, and sound of burning timber as well as generally heating larger areas.
Pros
· The atmosphere of a freestanding wood fireplace is unmatchable, with its welcoming aroma and sound of burning crackling logs
· Wood Fires offer a way to stay warm, have light and cook if the power goes out during winter
· These fireplaces work anytime provided you have kindling, wood, and a matchstick or firelighter
· Wood can also be a reasonably cheap source of fuel.
Cons
· Wood fireplaces require moving and storing wood, which means some extra work is necessary
· Traditional open wood fireplaces aren’t very efficient, but slow combustion fireplaces can be very efficient potentially heating a whole home
Gas fireplaces
While people still treasure their wood-burning heat sources, many people today in Australia live busy lives. For such people with limited time to deal with firewood, a gas fireplace offers a hassle-free solution from zonal or multi room heating.
Pros
· Gas fireplaces turn on instantly and can generate large amounts of heat.
· They also offer more control over the heat production through additional features like remote controls and thermostats
· Gas fireplaces have minimal maintenance needs as you don’t need to clean any ash, only an annual service
· Gas fireplaces are efficient as well as decorative with some models even featuring accent lighting. Some models can also be used during a power outage like a wood heater.
Cons
· Even though the ceramic logs used in gas fireplaces look much more realistic today than in the past, they can still lack that realistic effect of genuine fire since the logs never move.
· You will need a gas line installed to the fireplace, which may require additional resources
Electric fireplaces
Electric fireplaces use electricity as the fuel source and project images of artificial flames. Even though they can generate some heat they do not come close to wood or gas fireplaces.
Pros
· Electric fireplaces are ideal in tight areas where a gas or wood fireplaces could not be flued.
· Installation is straight forward as it just involves plugging them into a power point
cons
· They will not work during power outages
· They provide very little heat and rely on electricity
· The images of the fire are fake flames
The above information is a basic summary of three types of fireplaces, but it is hoped that it has helped you decide on the perfect fireplace to install in your home. Regardless of which type of fireplace you decide on, a fireplaces provides fantastic ambience and added value to any home.
The perfect addition to your home during the current Australian winter season is a fireplace. Fireplaces create a stylish focal point while adding character and sparkle to any room.
There are a number of exciting designs available today from freestanding wood fireplaces to minimalist insert fireplaces among many others. With the wide range of heating products available, it is understandable that many people can get overwhelmed when choosing the perfect one for their home.
Read on for practical tips on how you can select and get the most fitting fireplace today.
How to choose a fireplace to suit your home and personal style
Residential design has dramatically evolved over the past 150 years, but one element that remains is the romantic allure of a fireplace.
According to interior designers, between 80 and 95 per cent of their recent residential projects feature at least one fireplace, regardless of whether the home is a period renovation or new build.
Home owners today can enjoy the cosy and picturesque qualities of a fireplace without solely depending on this for warmth.
Even models that no longer serve this function provide a focal point that adds to a room’s visual interest, ambience and even facilitate a sense of nostalgia. Fireplaces are therefore no longer commonly installed in bedrooms, but serve as the centrepiece of modern living spaces.
Deciding on the most appropriate living room fireplace to suit your personal style and lifestyle can be overwhelming. To help simplify the process, most interior designers and architects advise the best place to start is by determining the existing design of your home.
Hunters Hill House by Handelsmann + Khaw. Photo: Felix Forest
“For us, the architectural style of the home dictates the style of the fireplace,” says Tania Handelsmann, director of Handelsmann + Khaw.
“If it’s a period building, we will source traditional [original or replica] surrounds that are native to that period. For a contemporary structure, we will usually design a custom surround that is typically sculptural or minimal in style.”
The next factors to consider are the scale of the room and how the fireplace will operate. Depending on who will use the room, safety and convenience may inform the design.
The White House designed by Robson Rak.
“There is a big difference in upkeep, effort, heat, cleaning and quality between the different types. We always consider our clients’ needs, and in particular, their time constraints,” says Mardi Doherty, director of Doherty Design Studio.
For example, when recently designing two homes for the same client, Doherty chose to install a gas fireplace in their primary home and an open, wood-burning fireplace in the holiday house.
“They wanted a quick, easy heating solution for their city home and were very happy to spend time collecting and chopping wood for their weekender,” Doherty explains.
Batavia South Yarra designed by Robson Rak. Photo: Shannon McGrath
A wood-burning fireplace will require more time and cleaning than a gas, ethanol or electric model.
Another element to think about is the placement of your fireplace, taking into account surrounding windows, doors, joinery, furniture and possibly a television. Some prefer for a fireplace to blend into an existing wall, while others see this as an opportunity to make a statement.
“We always try to ‘show off’ a fireplace and conceal the television,” Doherty says.
Batavia South Yarra designed by Robson Rak. Photo: Shannon McGrath
“Aside from producing heat, they can also really enhance the architecture and interiors of a home.”
While it’s most common for a fireplace to be centrally located within a room, this sometimes isn’t possible when factoring in a television or other items such as artwork and bookshelves.
“Placement also depends on the use,” says Miriam Fanning, founding director and principal of Mim Design.
Thornton Residence. Interior architecture by Doherty Design Studio. Photo: Derek Swalwell
“In many living rooms with televisions, we often place the fireplace off-centre so having a fire and watching television can happen simultaneously.”
Alternatively, a double-sided fireplace can serve as space divider within a large room, as was the case in Robson Rak’s recently completed Pavilion House.
“Not only did it act as the hero for both these spaces but also helped divide and define them,” says Chris Rak, principal interior architect at Robson Rak.
MAH Residence designed by Mim Design. Photo: Peter Clarke
Don’t forget to determine where wood will be stored (if required) and the positioning of other shelving. Home owners also need to check with their local council for any restrictions that apply in their area.
Interior designers are currently favouring fireplaces that are larger in scale and more sculptural in form, incorporating authentic materials such as stone, steel and concrete. Where wall space is limited, a fireplace hanging from the ceiling can be a striking presence without overpowering a room.
Rak says the enduring appeal of fireplaces is due to the effect they have on bringing people together.
MAH Residence designed by Mim Design. Photo: Peter Clarke
“The fireplace really does become the heart of the home and creates a sense of occasion and purpose even when there is none,” he says.
In our increasingly busy lives, a fireplace signals a place to relax and be present, either alone or in the company of others.
Sourced from: https://lopi.com.au/how-to-select-the-perfect-fireplace-for-your-home/
Mountford Williamson Architecture has designed a new home in Australia, that includes views across the neighboring vineyard and beyond.
The ‘L’ shaped floorplan of the home creates protected outdoor space and works with the topography of the site.
Making use of the sloped site, the yard has multiple levels that provide various areas for entertaining and relaxing.
The different levels of the yard are complemented by large boulders and plants of varying sizes. These plants also line the rear patio that wraps around the home.
At night, exterior lighting highlights the wood accents and patio.
The use of natural materials such as rammed earth and timber bring warmth to the home and helps establish a relationship with its bushland surroundings.
The interior, designed by Fabrikate, includes an open plan kitchen, dining, and living area, which has an immediate relationship with the outdoor entertaining space, and can be accessed through the wood-framed sliding glass doors.
A quieter space in the home that also opens to the outdoors, is a full-width day bed by the window, that takes advantage of the terrace and pool views.
The home also has a large dark wood custom bookshelf that includes storage cabinets below.
In one of the bedrooms, large windows and a sliding door provide an uninterrupted tree view.
In the bathrooms, dark wood vanities have been paired with dark flooring and light-colored walls.
Sourced from: https://www.contemporist.com/terraced-yard-makes-the-most-of-the-sloped-property-at-this-home/
James Veal and Christine Stucker, co-founders of interior design firm and architecture studio Stewart-Schafer, have recently completed the renovation of a home in Nyack, New York, and included in the remodel, was the transformation of the kitchen.
Before The Renovation
The original 1980s kitchen was outdated with old appliances, an overmount sink, and an uniquely shaped island.
After The Renovation
The updated light-filled contemporary kitchen design fuses Scandinavian minimalism with relaxed Californian elegance and Japanese undertones.
After The Renovation
The updated light-filled contemporary kitchen design fuses Scandinavian minimalism with relaxed Californian elegance and Japanese undertones.
The redesign included installing a new floor, moving appliances, with some integrated, and a larger island with more counter space and room for seating.
Challenged with completing the remodel in under three months, the designers incorporated durable, high-quality materials including quartz countertops that complement the white walls.
Also included in the kitchen design are white rift oak for the cabinets, chosen for their durability to stand heavy usage.
Sourced from: https://www.contemporist.com/kitchen-remodel-updated-with-warm-wood-cabinets/
Project credits:
Architect: De Reus Architects
de Reus design team: Mark de Reus (project architect), Eric Anderson (project manager), Christopher Strahle (job captain)
Interior designer: Philpotts Interiors
Landscape: David Y. Tamura Associates, Inc.
Structural engineer: Kahiau Design Group
US studio De Reus Architects has perched this villa on an expanse of solidified lava, offering its residents sweeping views of the leeward side of Hawaii's Big Island.
The Kohala Coast residence is made up of a cluster of small buildings and named after the area in which it's located. It was completed by De Reus Architects, a studio with offices in Hawaii and Idaho.
The villa is perched on an expanse of solidified lava
The buildings are perched atop an expanse of blackened igneous rocks, which are formed when lava solidifies into stone. According to the firm, this particular rock formation dates back to 1801.
By breaking up the 10,000 square-foot (929 square-metre) home's different spaces into smaller buildings, the architects sought to reference the local vernacular architecture. This is reinforced by the house's gabled overhanging roofs.
Gabled overhanging roofs define the home
"The residence was designed as a modern interpretation of indigenous island architecture and a way to connect the occupants to nature, the region, and its culture," De Reus Architects said.
A water feature set within an entry court greets visitors to the home. According to De Reus, the open spaces that transition between the different buildings were as important as the primary rooms of the house.
Visitors are greeted by a water feature
"The home is organised as a series of interlocking yet separate hale (pavilions), with the resulting spaces between the hale becoming as important to the experience as the hale themselves," the studio said.
Guests enter through a gallery into the home's principal public area, which combines kitchen, living, and dining rooms under high cathedral ceilings that follow the building's roof outline.
Two of the walls in this room can slide open completely, opening onto a large reflecting pool that sits between the interior living room, an exterior lounge space, and the primary bedroom.
The Pacific Ocean lies beyond, creating the impression of a continuous expanse of water stretching out to the horizon. Rather than orienting the home to directly face the ocean, the studio opted to angle it slightly, which gives it "glancing coastal views."
Light pours into one of the villa's bedrooms
The owner's bedroom is located in a separate building connected via a walkway. It includes a walk-in closet and its own en-suite clad entirely in white marble, which opens to a lush courtyard with an exterior shower.
Three more bedrooms are located closer to the living and dining room. They share amenities such as a separate lounge area, which could be used to host simultaneously in several areas of the home.
Marble clads the main bedroom's en-suite
Finally, a guest bedroom is located in its own building and is only accessible by crossing the serene entry courtyard. This gives guests more privacy, as the pavilion has its own restroom and outdoor shower.
The interiors were designed by Phillpotts interiors, a firm based in Honolulu. Many of the resident's spaces are left completely open and separated only by slatted wood partitions.
The home has sliding architectural wood screens
"Sliding architectural wood screens throughout the house create privacy between spaces, but create an atmosphere of refinement and mystery," the studio explained.
The finishes found throughout the house form a muted palette of natural wood and light stone finishes.
"For this house, traditional design elements are tempered through a Japanese sense of restraint and interest in craftsmanship," said De Reus Architects. The studio summarised this approach by naming it "tropical minimalism."
A muted palette of natural wood is seen throughout the villa
De Reus Architects is led by architect Mark de Reus, and has completed other projects in Hawaii, including a nearby home which uses a similar concept to promote indoor-outdoor living.
Sourced from：https://www.dezeen.com/2021/07/06/hawaiian-villa-de-reus-architects-crystallised-lava-flow/#/
Mitsuori Architects has designed the renovation of a home in Northcote, Australia, that includes a new and open kitchen.
One detail we noticed in the wood and white kitchen, is the wood-framed horizontal window that doubles as the backsplash.
The window which runs along the wall provides a view of the garden outside and adds an abundance of natural light to the kitchen.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a small reading corner that’s furnished with open shelving, a rug, a floor lamp, and a small sofa.
In the nearby dining room, multiple skylights flood the room with natural light, while at the same time, create shadows along the wall. On the opposite wall, custom joinery creates plenty of storage space, while the table is surrounded by chairs as well as a bench. Polished concrete flooring rounds out the contemporary interior.
In the updated bathroom, while tiles cover the walls, while a rounded frameless mirror hangs from a simple wood hook, which also matches the wood vanity.
The bathroom also includes a built-in bathtub with a tall window and shelving niche on the adjacent wall. A white heated towel rail almost blends into the surrounding white wall.
Sourced from: https://www.contemporist.com/a-long-horizontal-window-acts-as-the-backsplash-inside-this-kitchen/
Design firm Egue y Seta has completed the renovation of a home in Barcelona, Spain, that includes three levels, and a kitchen that’s enclosed within interior windows.
Let’s take a look around…
The Kitchen
Stepping into the home, just off the entryway is the kitchen, which is located within walls of windows with white frames. The kitchen functions both as a breakfast nook and a bar with a serving hatch. White cabinets have been paired with matte green cabinets, while white tiles have been used for the backsplash.
An eat-in breakfast nook is tucked into the corner and includes a built-in bench, and a mirrored wall, which makes the space feel larger.
The Bar + Sliding Door
Separating the kitchen from the open plan living room and dining area is a sliding glass door that matches the white window frames of the kitchen walls. There’s also a pass-through window with a wood countertop that acts as a bar.
The Dining Area
The open plan dining area includes a long bench against the wall, a wood table with wood chairs, a pendant light that gives of lined shadows, and a wood shelf with hidden lighting underneath.
The Living Room
The living room has shelving that lines the wall, while the couch and armchair are focused on the fireplace and built-in firewood storage.
The Garden Terrace
Off the living room is a garden terrace, furnished with an outdoor lounge and an alfresco dining area.
The Powder Room
This level of the home also includes a three-door wardrobe in a eucalyptus green finish, that hides a minimal, functional, and attractive powder room. Floral pattern wallpaper, high contrast accessories and taps, and a wall lamp by Ichiro Iwasaki for Vibia give this small space a unique appearance.
The Stairs
A semi-open staircase connects the various levels of the home.
The Primary Bedroom + Bathroom
The primary bedroom and en-suite bathroom are on the middle floor of the home. Botanical wallpaper creates a feature wall, while the wood slat accent wall provides separation between the sleeping area and the bathroom.
In the bathroom, black framed glass walls hide the shower and toilet, while the vanity has a thick white countertop that hides a makeup area.
The Kid’s Bedroom
In the kid’s bedroom, there are uniquely shaped wood cut-outs on the wall that have been designed to attach rock climbing mounts, turning the one empty wall into a climbing wall.
The Guest Bathroom
The guest bathroom has a simple neutral color palette with a gray vanity, light gray tiles, and black accents.
The Secondary Living Room
On the top level of the home is a secondary living room with a pitched ceiling. The living room is furnished with a couch, shelving unit, rattan pendant lights, a desk with a TV above it, and a reading area with built-in shelves.
The Balcony
A sliding door opens to a balcony with views of the neighborhood. A small table with chairs, as well as an outdoor rug and low cushion furniture gives the space multiple uses.
The Floor Plan
Article sourced from: https://www.contemporist.com/glass-enclosed-kitchen-is-a-noticeable-design-feature-of-this-home-remodel/
The list of people to have bought and sold on Hedges Ave is a roll call of players who have won in games of business, development and luck on the Gold Coast. WHO OWNS WHAT ON MILLIONAIRE’S ROW
IT’S nickname, now Multi-Millionaire’s Row, says it all — Hedges Ave is the premier address on the Gold Coast, with its glittering beachfront drawing movers and shakers from Australia and beyond for more than 30 years.
We have scoured property records, agent listings and newspaper archives to find out.
Let’s start at the beginning.
Number 1: Set on the border where Hedges meets Albatross Ave, this colourful blue beach house is listed on records as being owned by Raymond Leslie Schultz since he paid $820,00 for it in 1994.
Number 3: A luxury three-level home inspired by an architecture from the Greek Islands, the five-bedroom property, which is known as Kalimera, is listed on property records as being owned by AJPP, a company owned by John Sophios. The house was also rumoured to have been home to actor Brad Pitt in 2002 while he was filming The Fountain on the Gold Coast before the project was cancelled.
Number 5: Sporting a distinctive round front window, this beach house was owned by Marie and Ronald Duke, a former grazier, from 1994 until they sold it for $3.05 million in 2013. The new owner, Melbourne-based Bluserena, is a company owned by Alba and Nicola Bernardo.
Number 7: This two-storey, mustard-hued home is listed on records as owned by Cheryl Zavattaro since its last sale at $927,000 in 1998. The property occupies a 405sq m block.
Numbers 9-11: This vision in Hamptons grey is owned by billionaire-turned-millionaire-turned-politician-turned-billionaire Clive Palmer. Mr Palmer paid former owner John Potter $12 million for the five-bedroom 2006-built home on an 809sq m block in 2018.
Number 13: Another former John Potter home, he sold this one in 2011 for $4.25 million to current owner Loy Nixon.
Number 17: The one-time home to one-time Indy boss, now Gold Coast Suns chairman Tony Cochrane has an interesting sales history. Mr Cochrane sold it for $9 million to developer Robert Badalotti in 2007, who sold it to controversial trade dollars company Contrabart for $4.1 million as a rebated sale. Contrabart, of which Mr Badalotti is a long-time associate, then sold it for $4.1 million to Mermaid Property Group, a company owned and directed by none other than Mr Badalotti, who lives there still.
Number 19: Is fittingly owned by prestige property agent Amir Mian and his wife Soraya. The Mians bought it from Christopher Chee Weng Chwee for $4.705 million in 2019.
Number 21: One of the few remaining old beach houses in the street, the property has reportedly been held by James Carolan since he bought it for $670,000 in 1992. It was advertised for rent at $1125 a week in 2018.
Number 23: Brisbane chemist Don Gardiner and wife Colleen built a home here after paying a record $3.2 million for the 405sq m vacant site in 2002. The sale was credited with lifting the price per square metre along Hedges to $7901. The Chemmart boss doesn’t live in the two-storey home – it was listed for rent at $1450 a week in 2014 and appears to remain under lease.
Number 25: Catherine Ellis bought a 1970s shack on this site for $6.5 million from Angelo and Carmela DiCarlo in 2017. It’s since been replaced with a modern two-storey home. The older-style brick-and-tile home previously changed hands for $1.4 million in 1998 after being owned by the family of Queensland legal pioneer Sir John Rowell for almost 50 years.
Number 27: An imposing Mediterranean-style mansion owned by self-made former Bookworld businessman Terry Herbert. The property changed hands in 1995 for $1.075 million.
Number 29: Known as Sandcastles, this beachhouse reaped former owner businessman George Lee a profit of $2 million in just four months when he sold it for $5 million in May 2002 to Lizoe Pty Ltd, a company associated with Brisbane’s Edward Benson and Julie Hancock, which remains the listed owner.
Number 31: Records show George Thomas Challenger, father of Medcall founder Dr Thomas Challenger, nabbed this one for $5.4 million in 2011, just three years after it was sold for $11.15 million to Galt Commodities. That company was linked to former AFL star Rod Galt, who struck financial difficulties linked to a lawsuit in 2009. Previous owners of the home also include racehorse owner and Coral Homes operator Paul Sweeney.
Numbers 33-41: This sprawling 1620sq m site used to host three homes, including a bright purple and yellow, two-storey beach shack owned by Noosa art gallery owner Adrian Slinger.
Also bowled to make way for the current mansion was a home owned by Simone Smith, wife of Tony Smith, former CEO of holiday company BreakFree. That renovated home set a new residential record for a beachfront house when it was snapped up by the Smiths in late 2002 for $6.35 million.
Before it was even finished, the current mansion set a record for an incomplete build, selling to former IT tycoon Daniel Tzvetkoff for $27 million in 2008.
Current owners Deidre and Peter Mitchell, who run drilling company Mitchell Services, bought it a year later for $10 million less.
Numbers 43-45: The tri-level mansion that once sat at No.43 held the record for a beachfront site in the street and the highest-priced house on the Gold Coast in the early 2000s. It was sold by Alan Thiess prior to auction for more than $10 million in November 2002. Thiess is the son of construction and mining pioneer Sir Leslie Thiess.
The amalgamated site, bought for $10.15 million in 2003 by lotteries entrepreneur David Railton Kennedy, now hosts a massive two-storey beachfront mansion.
Sourced from: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/property/who-bought-and-sold-on-hedges-ave-in-exclusive-gold-coast-millionaires-row-mermaid-beach/news-story/d7fd68ff6ea28c3d4304ae3438063124