KEEP IT MODERN WITH
A FREESTANDING STYLE
Built-in fireplaces with a hearth ground a living Built-in fireplaces with a hearth ground a living
space, but freestanding styles act mspace, but freestanding styles act mspace, but freestanding styles act much like sculpture, uch like sculpture, uch like sculpture,
drawing the eye to their shape and formdrawing the eye to their shape and form. Contem. Contemporary porary
styles, such as Invicta’s slow comstyles, such as Invicta’s slow combustion cast-iron bustion cast-iron
‘Alcor’ fireplace, $5900, from‘Alcor’ fireplace, $5900, from Thornton & Blake inject Thornton & Blake inject
a sleek, industrial feel, or look for a ma sleek, industrial feel, or look for a model that stands on odel that stands on
legs. “I like the way you get to see the floor underneath,” legs. “I like the way you get to see the floor underneath,” legs. “I like the way you get to see the floor underneath,”
says architect Claire Scorpo. “That way the fire stands says architect Claire Scorpo. “That way the fire stands
as an individual object within the roomas an individual object within the room.” .”DECORATING WINTER HEATING
DESIGN AROUND THE
HISTORY OF YOUR HOME
When John Watkinson and Colleen Guiney
bought their award-winning Drift House
in Port Fairy on the south-west coast of
Victoria, the building had an unsightly
1960s add-on. In the process of knocking
this down, they discovered a hidden
original gem: an 1850s-era fireplace built
of local bluestone. “We think it’s the oldest
built form on the entire property,” says
Colleen. Despite plans to create a new and
very modern extension, the couple chose
to preserve the fireplace and worked with
architectural firm Multiplicity to design
a walled courtyard that anchored and
resurrected the fireplace, providing
shelter and privacy. Now a guest favourite,
the rustic-look fireplace pays homage
to, “the hundreds of people who have
gathered for warmth and company for
more than 150 years,” says Colleen.
For more information, call (03) 5568 3309,
or visit drifthouse.com.auDRIFT HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHYRHIANNON TAYLOR