The Fireplace Glow-Up: From “Non-Compliant” to “Stunning & Practical”
Welcome to The Studio Journal
This is where I’ll share the stories behind my design projects, the challenges and triumphs, and the inspiration that fuels my passion for creating beautiful, functional spaces. And what better way to begin than with a personal project.
Let me take you behind the scenes of one of my favourite transformations to date, a fireplace glow-up that turned a non-compliant 80s relic into a cosy, show stopping centrepiece with a personal project and what a project it was. Let’s just say, when you move to Melbourne, having a fireplace is basically a non-negotiable, well it was for me. So, naturally, it was at the top of my list when my husband and I packed up from Newcastle and started house hunting at the end of 2022.
We found the one. It ticked all our boxes (yes, I had a list of non negotiables, and no, it wasn’t that unrealistic). At the top of the list? A fireplace. And our house had one a brick beauty from the 80s, dressed in drab grey tiles with a custom black steel door that screamed “builder basic.” I had dreams of glowing embers and cosy nights, but this fireplace, as we quickly found out, turned out to be non-compliant and unusable.
Cue our first Melbourne winter. I was excited to fire it up-until one evening, while chatting with friends by the entryway, I touched the back of the fireplace, and it was HOT! And I don’t mean toasty warm; I mean ouch. The heat was radiating through the tiles, and it didn’t take long to realise something wasn’t right. Cue the disappointment: no more fires until we figured this out.
We did some research and felt the best approach was to investigate a fireplace inset into the original. The inside of the fireplace was huge roughly 2m x 2.2m so I thought, “Surely, we’ll find something perfect!” Spoiler: we didn’t. The only options that fit were tiny. And fireplaces aren’t cheap, so spending that kind of money for a bad fit? Not happening.
My vision? A double-sided glass fireplace inset into the brick, a showstopper that greeted you as soon as you walked through the door. It’d be stunning and practical, pushing heat through our open-plan layout. But after some conversations with the pros, it became clear that this dream wasn’t just out of budget; it might not even work.
I wasn’t giving up. I went back to the drawing board (aka SketchUp) and started to play around with ideas. I was still determined to get that double-sided fireplace. And there my idea was born, what if we knocked down most of the fireplace, left a plinth, and added the perfect freestanding double-sided option? Bold? Yes. Doable? Maybe. But after pitching it to my husband, we decided to go for it.
Demolition day started strong. Then Melbourne’s infamous weather joined the party. Rain. So. Much. Rain. Thankfully, the new roof sheets we found (after a LOT of searching, because of course, they don’t make our existing roof sheets anymore) clicked perfectly with the existing roof. No leaks. Crisis averted!
After the bricks were down to the plinth level, we added extra width for compliance, filled it with leftover bricks and concrete.
Then came the ceiling. Because of course, the VJ panelling profile in our house is no longer made. My talented husband routed new panels to match the original, and honestly? You’d never know the difference.
We found the perfect fireplace. Meet the ADF Linea 100 B Freestanding Fireplace. Stunning. Bold. Exactly the showstopper I’d been dreaming of. All systems were a go.
Rendering the plinth was next. Pro tip: rendering is NOT for the faint-hearted. Our first attempt? Rough. Enter: the skim coat, a game-changer that smoothed imperfections and added subtle texture. It wasn’t my first choice, but wow—it elevated the look in a way I didn’t expect.
With the fireplace installed (thanks, Woodpecker team—your legends), the last hurdle was finding the right colour. Too white? Blinding. Too grey? Cold. Then I found it: Taubman’s Luna Rock. Neutral, with just the right amount of warmth. A matte finish let the render’s texture shine through, completing the look.
Twelve weeks. That’s how long this transformation took. And yes, it felt long, but the planning took even longer. My original idea was a no-go, but with some creativity, a lot of persistence, and the skills I’ve honed as an interior designer, we ended up with a space that makes me smile every time I walk through the door.
Every home will have its challenges, but with the right vision and a little persistence, even the trickiest spaces can become something extraordinary. This project reminded me why I love what I do—turning design dreams into reality.
Ready to create a home that feels just right for you? Whether it’s a small refresh or a complete transformation, I’d love to help bring your vision to life. Let’s chat about designing a space you’ll love coming home to. See how we can work together!