It might be summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about a new fireplace design for 2017. You want it to be ready in time for winter after all. And even in summer when the fireplace is out of action, living spaces with fires still ooze charm and cosiness.
The fireplace has long been the focal point of the room it inhabits and that’s when it sticks to a conventional installation. When fireplace designs push boundaries, the whole house is taken to a new level. And with the innovation of modern fires (especially gas), there’s more freedom to be creative than ever before.
Here are our picks for the six most wanted fireplace designs for 2017:
1. Rock star room divider
This Melbourne home has incredible views over the ocean, but it’s the concrete fireplace installation that still manages to steal the show. Working as a zone divider in the large, open-plan space, Escea’s ultra wide DX1500 gas fire is the feature element. It is the perfect design solution for those wanting the flow of open-plan living while breaking up the vastness of it with clearly defined zones.
Design by Richard Ekberg. Building by Platform
2. Industrial Chic
A bolted pre-cast concrete panel surround on a double sided gas fire is the gravitational heart of this home. Concrete in its raw state is a hot look right now and perfect for this modern industrial home with exposed trusses. The restrained and neutral palette makes for a sophisticated look with masculine appeal.
Design by Dravitzki Brown
3. Outside the square
Design by Rowe Baetens Architecture | Photo by Sam Harnett
For all the perks of inner-city living, two things you often compromise on are privacy and lush garden views. This central city villa extension shows that with some innovative thinking, this doesn’t have to be the case. A low and strategically placed window surrounds an Escea DL850 gas fire with granite faced stone surround. Creating a connection to the exterior garden, without losing privacy to the neighbours.
4. Clean lines and corner fires
Interior design by Jeanette Heerwagen | Munich, Germany
Europe truly does lead the way when it comes to fireplace design. Here a Spartherm corner wood fire elevates this living room to a new level, while still managing to work seamlessly with the small living space. The clean lines of Spartherm complement living spaces trying to emulate the ever-popular but classic Scandinavian aesthetic.
A TV cabinet and book shelves line the main wall opposite the plump sectional sofa, ideal for lounging beside the wood fire on dreary winter days.
5. Floating Hearths
Design by Brendon Gordon Architecture
Another popular look for fireplaces in 2017 is the ‘floating hearth.’ It looks stunning and contemporary in polished concrete (as seen here), but also in marble, concrete, timber, stone slab or sandstone. It also has the advantage of doubling as a shelf for displays and ornaments.
This modernist Richard Neutra-inspired home has added hidden shelving on the side of the surround to store audio equipment.
6. New opulence
This room design incorporates two major design trends for 2017 – the colour green and art deco interior design
‘Greenery’ was recently named Pantone’s colour of the year. Described as ‘nature’s neutral’ and a symbol of new beginnings, green has been touted as the shade we’re going to be seeing a lot of in 2017. The use of the forest green marbled stone in this fireplace surround is off-set beautifully with the black lacquer shelving and gold accents in the carpet and feature wall.
With geometric carpet and thick lush velvet armchairs, this room also nails Art Deco glamour, a style that is back in vogue once again. Think coloured marble accents, curvy furniture and all things Great Gatsby inspired.
