A Statement Fireplace That Transforms a Room
Our client wanted a fireplace that would do more than provide warmth. In a characterful period cottage with a small, basic open fire and no surround or hearth, the living room lacked a focal point. The brief was to create something spectacular; a feature that would anchor the room with grandeur and become the undisputed centrepiece of the space.
The Materials
Two contrasting stones were chosen to bring this fireplace to life. The surround was crafted in Calacatta Corchia Marble, selected for its classic Victorian profile and the richness of its veining. Set against it, a Black Satinato Granite hearth provides sharp contrast; a timeless pairing that sits naturally within a period cottage while making a genuinely bold statement.
The Design
The surround was designed with a classic Victorian profile, a silhouette with the weight and authority to suit a cottage of this age, while the material elevates it well beyond the ordinary. The combination of warm white marble above and deep black granite below creates a visual tension that is striking without being jarring; each stone makes the other look better.
The Challenge
Uneven, non-plumb cottage walls presented the main fabrication challenge. To achieve a perfectly parallel, level appearance, the fireplace had to be manufactured in several sections and brought to site in pieces, with each element carefully adjusted, twisted, and bedded during installation to compensate for the irregular substrate beneath.
The Result
The fireplace now anchors the room with exactly the presence the client had in mind. The marble surround and granite hearth complement the cottage aesthetic while transforming the space into something truly memorable. What was once an afterthought is now the first thing every visitor notices.
The surround was manufactured in one week and installed in just a few hours.
