Keeping snug in winter is all about comfort, cosy togetherness and toasting your toes by a fire
Words Carrol Baker
Watching the gentle flicker of flames on a winter evening is one of life’s simple pleasures. As temperatures drop and cool autumn nights melt into the chill of winter, keep yourself snug as a bug with an innovative fireplace. Energy-efficient living is driving cutting-edge heating technology to break new ground. As innovation forges ahead, designers are also taking it up a notch, reimagining heating systems and fireplaces that offer thoughtful innovation and style.
Things are hotting up
From traditional wood-burning fireplaces to electric fires, ethanol burners and more, there are many elegant, modern and affordable heating alternatives.
In the past, a fireplace’s primary function was to heat homes. Yvonne Meng from Circle Studio says it was a necessity before other heating technologies arrived, such as hydronic panels, ducted heating and split systems. “While most homes now have another source of heating, many people still want to incorporate a fireplace for ambience,” notes Yvonne. “They may enjoy the ritual of lighting a fire and watching the flames flicker, or simply like the aesthetic that a well-designed fireplace can add to a room.”
Yvonne adds that the look of the fireplace itself has indeed changed. “For example, the ornate cast-iron fireplaces seen in many inner-city Victorian terraces have evolved into the sleek fireboxes on the market today,” she comments.
There’s no doubt that in this millennia, we’ve seen the role of the traditional fireplace change. As well as being an effective and efficient way to heat your home, it can also be a sculpted focal point. Designer Nicholas Kaiko from Kaiko Design Interiors says other than a way to keep Jack Frost at bay, a fireplace serves an important function. “A fireplace gives a room soul,” he reflects. “It’s the element that instantly grounds a space and draws attention.”
Tame the flame
Just as a beautiful, sculpted swimming pool can become a design feature even when not in use, so too can a fireplace. “Even unlit, a fireplace creates a focal point, a visual pause that changes how the room feels,” says Nicholas. “A fireplace can anchor the living area. It’s not just about heat; it’s about balance and atmosphere. There’s something deeply human about gathering around a flame, no matter how modern the setting.”
In your home, a beautifully designed fireplace can become an area to spend family time with those you love, it can offer a place to reflect and enjoy quiet time, or it can create the perfect backdrop for a gathering with friends.
Chris Kent, national sales and marketing manager at Dragon Wholesaling, says a fireplace impacts directly on the mood and ambience of a space. “Beyond heat, it creates an architectural feature that anchors a room and naturally draws people together,” he says. “This is especially valuable in open-plan homes where defining zones matters.”
The modern fireplace offers the ultimate in design flexibility. With pioneering designs in form and function, it can be more fluid in concept. As Chris explains, this is because you’re no longer locked into external walls or heavy masonry.
“Whether it’s a sculptural centrepiece, a room divider or a double-sided installation connecting spaces, today’s options let architects shape interiors around the fire rather than working around installation constraints,” he says.
Ways with wood
Wood-burning fireplaces are efficient and inexpensive to run. They’re an enduring and popular heat source worldwide. Who doesn’t love the sound of crackling wood and gazing into the flames of a woodfire? Emma Blomfield from EB Studio says the wood-burning fireplace has progressed, with modern slow-combustion wood fireplaces being very energy savvy. “Traditional wood-burning fires have evolved from purely functional heat sources into cleaner, more efficient and beautifully designed focal points,” notes Emma.
New innovations in fires are creating crafted design statements that are wowing industry professionals with sleek design and innovative features. The Austroflamm Clou Xtra from Castworks is sleek and sophisticated, a stylish addition to any home, even when not in use. It’s very efficient with a clever patented heat storage system, which stores heat internally and slowly releases it long after the fire has gone out. All units are lined with Keramott, a patented fireproof stone that insulates and conducts heat, so high combustion temperatures can be achieved quickly.
The Jindara Tilga and Grange freestanding fires offer optimal performance wrapped in a sophisticated, modern and beautiful aesthetic. Standard features of these cast-iron-lined wood heaters have a three-speed fan, 10-year firebox warranty, 8mm steel baffle plate, thermostatic fan control and optional bench for modular models.
A dual-sided fireplace can make a beautiful design statement. In a large expansive space it can add warmth and visual depth. They can also work well when positioned between two living areas where it serves to segment the spaces.
Art redefined
The suspended fireplace offers supreme heat output to keep you cosy and warm, coupled with good looks. When Frenchman Dominique Imbert forged a classical union between art and fire in the late 1960s, the suspended fireplace was born. It offers a unique design aesthetic, serving as a bespoke piece of art and a conversation piece. A benefit of the suspended fireplace is it can radiate heat all around a room and can also be fitted outdoors.
Innovation continues to push the boundaries of traditional fireplaces. The Parkray Aspect 5 Eco from Hunter Stoves Australia enters the growing wood category of “occasional” wood heaters. Chris says this fire makes a statement with a large viewing window. “At just 0.7g/kg emissions and 72 per cent peak efficiency using Tripleburn Technology, it exceeds current Australian standards significantly,” he notes. “This model can be customised with wood storage plinths or a bench for a contemporary take on the traditional wood stove.”
Electric innovation
Innovation meets style in the latest offerings in electric fireplaces. New designs have realistic flames fuelled by LED lighting — they can change colour and speed, forming beautiful intricate patterns. If you want to take it up a notch, you can have crackling sounds and glowing embers. Clean, green and energy efficient, the electric fireplace is worth investigating.
Some Real Flame fires use a fine mist to mimic flame and smoke. Then there’s Opti-V, a patent protected design that serves up ultra-realistic flickering flames with three-dimensional LED logs that sporadically spark.
Chris says the British Fires’ Black Edition range uses anti-reflective glass and handcrafted logs made from real oak, with each piece individually cut and charred. “The realism is striking, but the real advantage is complete installation
freedom,” he explains. “Designers can place dramatic, authentic-looking flames exactly where the interior needs it, opening up possibilities traditional installations simply can’t offer.”
Sleek and stylish
Clean, green and with swathes of style, the popularity of the ethanol fireplace shows no sign of slowing. Emma says ethanol fireplaces are very much in demand. “They’re popular for their real flames, easy installation, low maintenance and clean, odourless burn,” she says.
The ethanol fire burns clean and green. There’s no ash. It’s an eco-friendly renewable energy source and that’s one of the reasons why it’s driving the demand for them.
Simon Cullen, head of sales at EcoSmart Fire, says ethanol fireplaces were born from innovation — a clean-burning flame that produces virtually no carbon monoxide and requires no flue. “It’s one of the few real-fire solutions that can be enjoyed anywhere, even indoors, because it emits no smoke or unpleasant odours,” says Simon.
There are many reasons why ethanol fireplaces are winners. Among them is the fact that they are ventless and can be freestanding. “This gives greater design freedom when a flue or chimney is not possible or desired,” Yvonne notes.
With an ethanol fireplace, there’s no professional installation required and it can be set up anywhere you choose and be moved as required. This offers the ultimate in design flexibility. “Some of our latest EcoSmart Fire models are truly zero-clearance, meaning they can be installed directly into timber framing,” notes Simon. “This innovation dramatically reduces installation costs while still providing the authentic flame experience people love.”
What lays beneath
Underfloor heating is another fabulous way to keep your home feeling comfortable all year round. It’s energy- efficient, on-demand heating. Nicholas explains that underfloor heating delivers an even, radiant warmth that feels effortless. There are basically two different types: electric and hydronic.
“Electric systems use cables beneath the floor and hydronic systems circulate warm water through pipes in the slab,” says Nicholas. “Both heat from the ground up, so there are no draughts or vents — just silent, consistent comfort.”
The uptake of underfloor heating in Australia is growing. Thanks to solar panels and battery storage, and the government incentives for these, it’s become an affordable heat source that’s being incorporated more and more in Aussie homes.
This article was originally published in Grand Designs Australia Issue 14.5.