PALE FIRE

from Bunnings Magazine July 2023

Violet rumble

AN IN-WALL FIREPLACE BRINGS COMFORT AND GLAMOUR TO THIS ELEGANT WHITE LIVING AREA

Words and styling KYLIE JACKES Photography LOUISE ROCHE

BeforeWhile it might not get particularly cold on the Central Queensland Coast during winter, homeowners Eleesha (opposite) and Brock believe that an open fire adds immeasurably to a home’s feel. So, during a whole-house renovation, they made a built-in wood heater the star of their large living area. “Whether on or not, a fireplace has a presence in a room,” says Eleesha. “It draws people in and encourages them to gather around. And when we do get chilly days and nights here and it warms the house, you can’t imagine how you lived without one!”

Get crackling

The old woodburner in one corner had a flue that the couple’s young daughters could potentially reach and touch from the stairs above. So, for safety – as well as looks – the new fireplace was fitted into a central wall (see it on Instagram @the.quinn.girls).

“The original fireplace got lost, so I wanted a modern in-wall style that was large enough to heat the space,” says Eleesha. She found the perfect solution in a Scandia Styliste 10. “We opted for real wood so we could enjoy the whole experience – the smell of wood burning and crackling.” out an existing wall to house the wood heater, which sits in a curved, fluted surround. “It added an architectural feel with wow factor and was much more affordable,” says Eleesha.

Pretty things

Once the wall was boxed out by licensed builders and the wood heater and flues professionally installed by a gas fitter, Eleesha and Brock set to work. They used non-combustible fibre cement lining panels to make a feature wall behind the fireplace. For the surround and mantel, pine framing was secured to a top panel of MDF sheet cut with rounded edges. “To achieve a curved surface at the ends to attach

After considering a stone-clad fireplace, the couple decided to box 4 5

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Keep in mind...

n Wood heaters should comply with local council regulations and be installed by a licensed professional to manufacturer’s specifications and Australian safety standards.

n Only burn dry, well seasoned and chemically untreated wood (not painted, stained or treated with preservative) and do not burn garbage or plastic.

n Supervise children and pets around fires at all times.

the timber moulding to, we wet a piece of 3mm ply to make it pliable and we bent, nailed and glued it into position,” explains Eleesha. “The concave timber moulding pieces were then cut to size and nailed and glued in place.”

To match the rest of the room, the wall and fireplace surround were painted in Dulux Natural White. The finishing touch was the DIY hearth, formed with framing timber and clad in fibre cement sheeting with a flameproof coating. Porter’s Paints

Eggshell Finish in Half Wood Smoke gives it a rendered-concrete-like appearance. “Logistically and skill wise, this was far easier than using real concrete,” says Eleesha.