Hearth of the home

Take a look at the modern fireplace trends

Home is where the hearth is, and a statement fire feature brings solace during the colder months and can also be a showstopping centrepiece within your space.

Daniel Sanders, Design Director at Modus Fireplaces, says, “The ambience created by a glowing fire cannot be underestimated; it fosters relaxation and social interaction. Throughout history, families and friends have gathered around a fire, sharing stories and creating lasting memories. Beyond the aesthetics, a fireplace can significantly increase a home's value. Potential buyers and tenants see a desirable feature, associating it with comfort, warmth and a sense of luxury.”

Modern mantels

Whether your taste is traditional or contemporary, various fire surround trends are emerging for winter this year. Neil Stone of Marble Hill Fireplaces explains, “We are seeing a big shift to marble in mantels and more modern stylings rather than traditional Victorian and Regency fireplaces, although there is interest in Georgian. The most desirable marble is Arabescato, which is white with dark grey running through it and there is high demand for red-coloured marble such as Rosso Levanto.”

For the heat source itself, there are several possibilities. It is worth noting that gas fires and wood burners radiate heat, whereas electric and bioethanol designs will look cosy while providing a more gentle warmth. If your room has no chimney, electric and bioethanol are great options, and a balanced flue gas fire will just require access to an external wall.

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Image above: Modus Fireplaces

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Image above: Perola

Fuel for thought

Angus Muir, owner of Firefly, says, “Beautiful glass-fronted gas fires which are fully automatic and hassle-free are extremely popular, as are wood burners. We’ve installed a few suspended fireplaces recently which not only look good but create a real wow factor when entertaining. There’s a brand we like called FireBob, which is a woodburning variety that is handmade to order by a small business on the Scottish boarders called Firemaker. The FireBob is the ultimate in suspended stoves and makes quite a feature. There is also a trend towards media walls which include an inset widescreen TV and long electric fire underneath.”

Another shift has been towards bioethanol, which is a biofuel made from the fermentation of vegetable matter, this is a greener choice for those who don’t want to burn fossil fuels. Angus says, “Bioethanol is a relatively new market in the UK but well developed in Europe and we are seeing an increase in sales.” Energy efficiency is an ongoing concern and it is interesting to know that a traditional open fire is only about 50 per cent efficient, whereas a high-end woodburning stove or balanced flue gas fire will take your efficiency to 80 per cent or beyond.

Conscious choices Angus says, “In terms of the wood burners, you have to make sure it’s Ecodesign compliant and DEFRA approved for use in a smoke control area, which most cities are. Gas fires are between 90 and 95 per cent efficient, but for a more eco-friendly option, an electric fire is a good choice as they produce no emissions, and if your electricity is generated by a renewable energy source, they can provide a useful carbon-neutral heating solution.

When it comes to energy preference and fireplace styles, there is a design and finish to suit everyone's taste. An impressive fireplace can not only transform a home but also boost its desirability.

Design directory

Firefly

Based in East Dulwich and operating across London, Firefly have a wide range of heating solutions for residential and commercial clients. Sourcing the most beautiful, efficient, and clean-burning fires and fireplaces from leading manufacturers in the UK, their modern fireplace range includes wood-burning stoves, gas, bioethanol and electric fires.

firefly-london.com
@fireflylondon

Firemaker

Specialists in suspended and bespoke fires, they design and build all their distinctive fireplaces in their UK workshop. The process is made easy with a consultation, design sketches, a CAD development of the chosen design along with installation support. The team is on hand to ensure the process runs smoothly.

firemaker.co.uk
@firemaker_stoves

Marble Hill Fireplaces

Established in 1974, Marble Hill Fireplaces have a comprehensive selection of designs in their Twickenham showroom. Previous high-profile projects include the refurbishment of fireplaces in royal residences and at The Ritz and Savoy Hotels. Specialists in antique French marble chimney pieces, they meticulously restore each fireplace in their workshops.

marblehill.co.uk
@marblehillfireplaces

Modus Fireplaces

Creators of made-to-measure fireplaces for prestigious homes and hotels for more than 30 years, they are at the forefront of the industry. Collaborating with world-renowned architects, their collection of hand-crafted and engineered fireplaces can be customised to the client’s interior. For every luxury fireplace, Modus offers a seamless service from design to installation.

modusfireplaces.com
@modus_fireplaces