A Hearth For Every Home

Whether your fireplace is an open wood-burning one, a closed combustion stove or a structure in which you can also braai, make it a focal point where the whole family can get together.

- Shane Barnard

1 Rustic charm

A brand-new fireplace was high on Winston Williams and his family’s wish list when they renovated their home in Kuils River in 2018. They entered their project in Home’s 2019 Fix it with Flair competition and we were so impressed that we simply had to share it with our readers! The fireplace takes pride of place in their open-plan living area. “It is wonderful to watch the fire and hear it crackle, even if we are in the kitchen on the other side of the room,” says Winston.

The chimney breast extends beyond ceiling height into the exposed roof beams, creating the illusion of space, while the exposed bricks lend rustic charm to the structure.

2 Cool contrast

This contemporary fireplace is a showstopper in Daphne and Stephan de Swart’s open-plan living room in Somerset West. Architect Donovan Hanekom of DH Architecture designed the space around the fireplace and its built-in bench. “We initially wanted a freestanding combustion stove but our budget wouldn’t allow for it. I’m a big fan of the design app Houzz, and that’s where I got the idea for the bench next to the open fireplace,” says Daphne.

A raw cement finish goes perfectly with the industrial style of the space; a dark blue wall behind the fireplace softens the look. The bench’s backrest is just wide enough to serve as a display shelf, while there is ample storage space for wood and other items under the seat and fireplace itself.

“Stephan loves to braai. He would probably braai in the house too but, so far, I’ve managed to persuade him otherwise!”

3 Effortless warmth