Living Design Ideas with a Brick Fireplace Surround
Stonehouse + Irons ArchitectureConcrete block walls provide thermal mass for heating and defence agains hot summer. The subdued colours create a quiet and cosy space focussed around the fire. Timber joinery adds warmth and texture , framing the collections of books and collected objects.
Mihaly SlocombePeriscope House draws light into a young family’s home, adding thoughtful solutions and flexible spaces to 1950s Art Deco foundations.
Our clients engaged us to undertake a considered extension to their character-rich home in Malvern East. They wanted to celebrate their home’s history while adapting it to the needs of their family, and future-proofing it for decades to come.
The extension’s form meets with and continues the existing roofline, politely emerging at the rear of the house. The tones of the original white render and red brick are reflected in the extension, informing its white Colorbond exterior and selective pops of red throughout.
Inside, the original home’s layout has been reimagined to better suit a growing family. Once closed-in formal dining and lounge rooms were converted into children’s bedrooms, supplementing the main bedroom and a versatile fourth room. Grouping these rooms together has created a subtle definition of zones: private spaces are nestled to the front, while the rear extension opens up to shared living areas.
A tailored response to the site, the extension’s ground floor addresses the western back garden, and first floor (AKA the periscope) faces the northern sun. Sitting above the open plan living areas, the periscope is a mezzanine that nimbly sidesteps the harsh afternoon light synonymous with a western facing back yard. It features a solid wall to the west and a glass wall to the north, emulating the rotation of a periscope to draw gentle light into the extension.
Beneath the mezzanine, the kitchen, dining, living and outdoor spaces effortlessly overlap. Also accessible via an informal back door for friends and family, this generous communal area provides our clients with the functionality, spatial cohesion and connection to the outdoors they were missing. Melding modern and heritage elements, Periscope House honours the history of our clients’ home while creating light-filled shared spaces – all through a periscopic lens that opens the home to the garden.
Sally Feeney Interior Design Pty LtdThrough the use of form and texture, we gave these spaces added dimension and soul. What was a flat blank wall is now the focus for the Family Room and includes a fireplace, TV and storage.
Gardner HomesThis great room is filled with natural light thanks to the expansive windows and tall ceilings. Gorgeous beams and tongue/groove ceilings provide the perfect backdrop for the modern farmhouse esthetic. The horizontal stairway leading to the second level adds a slightly industrial touch to keep things fresh and modern, and compliments the updated gourmet kitchen. Floating built-in shelving allows the owners to personalize the space, while not detracting from the massive floor to ceiling brick fireplace that anchors the room.
Coastal Signature HomesThe family room opens up from the kitchen and then again onto the back, screened in porch for an open floor plan that makes a cottage home seem wide open. The gray walls with transom windows and white trim are soothing; the brick fireplace with white surround is a stunning focal point. The hardwood floors set off the room. And then we have the ceiling - wow, what a ceiling - washed butt board and coffered. What a great gathering place for family and friends.
Beachy Boheme InteriorsThis living room got an upgraded look with the help of new paint, furnishings, fireplace tiling and the installation of a bar area. Our clients like to party and they host very often... so they needed a space off the kitchen where adults can make a cocktail and have a conversation while listening to music. We accomplished this with conversation style seating around a coffee table. We designed a custom built-in bar area with wine storage and beverage fridge, and floating shelves for storing stemware and glasses. The fireplace also got an update with beachy glazed tile installed in a herringbone pattern and a rustic pine mantel. The homeowners are also love music and have a large collection of vinyl records. We commissioned a custom record storage cabinet from Hansen Concepts which is a piece of art and a conversation starter of its own. The record storage unit is made of raw edge wood and the drawers are engraved with the lyrics of the client's favorite songs. It's a masterpiece and will be an heirloom for sure.
Cathie Hong InteriorsWhat started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.
Lindy Design BuildThis long space needed flexibility above all else. As frequent hosts to their extended family, we made sure there was plenty of seating to go around, but also met their day-to-day needs with intimate groupings. Much like the kitchen, the family room strikes a balance between the warm brick tones of the fireplace and the handsome green wall finish. Not wanting to miss an opportunity for spunk, we introduced an intricate geometric pattern onto the accent wall giving us a perfect backdrop for the clean lines of the mid-century inspired furniture pieces.
Living Design Ideas with a Brick Fireplace Surround
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