The Pulchra Design Competition, based in Italy, is a beauty contest devoted exclusively to objects.  Each year the panel scour the world for beautiful objects; the 100 they consider the best are posted onto the website for a public vote.  The choice is a little eclectic to say the least; currently up for votes are a Nutella jar, The Stig’s racing helmet and a tin of Nivea crème.

This year’s winner, that Gyrofocus Fireplace, was made by French fireplace company Focus and was the cause of much laughter at its original launch 32 years ago.  It seems, though, that its time has come because it won the contest ahead of a Philips TV, a Sony Ericsson mobile phone and items by French designer Philippe Starck. Almost 75,000 people took part in the vote.

The contest, which was launched in 2007, will run for ten years and at the end of that time the ten winning objects will be placed in a capsule and buried underground for future archaeologists to examine.

That’s gonna be one huge capsule!

When the majority of folk think about installing a fireplace into their home, they think in terms of traditional, usually Victorian, hearths and mantels. Yet, by doing so, they eliminate a whole world of stylish comfort from their plans.

Of course, the traditional fireplace styles so admired now were, once upon a time, contemporary; in the Victorian age, cast iron was de rigeur!  Likewise, the modern fireplaces of today will one day be viewed with nostalgia.  If there is a downside to going for the contemporary look it is that fashions change quickly, so you would be well advised to ensure that your up-to-the-minute fireplace is based upon classical lines – classic good looks never go out of fashion.

The most traditional of the contemporary fireplace designs, if that’s not a contradiction in terms, look very much like standard fireplaces – aside from the fact that, rather than standing on the floor, they are set into the wall. They are usually elevated and flush with the wall, creating a sleek line; sometimes, in relatively low-set models, a mantel is added above.  Another idea along similar lines is to flush-set the fireplace higher up the wall so that it looks like a picture – this is where the gas burning, faux wood models come into their own, creating low-maintenance good looks.

The Superior Argon Fire pictured here is a fine example of the classic contemporary look that will never go out of fashion.

Your major consideration, after deciding on fireplace style, is what fuel you want to burn. Wood-burning fires and stoves are probably the most popular choice but there is a lot of ‘cleaning out’ involved, as well as the smell of woodsmoke, which is fine in its place.  That place is probably not your newly decorated interior!  To avoid these pitfalls, you might prefer to cheat a little and go for a gas burning fireplace with faux wood; nowadays they actually look very good indeed.  If wood doesn’t ‘light your fire’ you could choose fire rocks instead, which are not only on trend but can be changed on a whim.

There’s more to fireplaces than, well fireplaces! Whilst this seemingly humble piece of architecture can be the hearth and soul of every room in the house, it takes a bit of savvy to make the best of it. For a start, there are so many architectural styles. Whether you are looking for French country flair or American south west down home comfort, its the details you put with your fireplace installation that will dictate the final effect.

Modern Cosiness

A cosy corner that owes just as much to the use of paint and pattern as it does to the style of hearth and mantel.  If this is the sort of look you’re after, the secret is to stick to a single colour.

If your taste is for something altogether more modern and streamlined, this limestone fireplace pictured above offers just as much cosiness without the fussiness of the model shown below. These two distinctly different styles just go to show that, as with everything else in life, when  it comes to heating your home its very much a case of horses for course. More than that though, these images also illustrate the fact that the fireside isn’t just for winter evenings but can serve as a decorative  feature in your home whatever the season.

Make the Most of your Hearth – Whatever the Season

Seasonal - Every season has its own ‘feel,’ from the sweet pastel colours of spring through to the russet tones of autumn.  When there is no fire burning in the grate, use it as a ‘picture-frame’ and display glass bowls or vases filled with fruits and flowers of the season.  Pick up these colours in a throw draped over the sofa.

Fireplace O-la-la

Celebrations – Make birthdays feel traditional with displays of birthday cards on the mantelpiece. Do the same at Christmas, with the addition on some festive stockings just waiting to be filled with all sorts of goodies. And nothing says Christmas more traditionally than a garland bedecked mantel, complete with twinkling lights!

Whatever the season and whatever the occasion, you should hang something special on the wall above the mantel. A stylish mirror is the traditional choice, but a stunning piece of artwork also works. In recent years it has also become fashionable to hang a large family portrait on this wall. The main rule is to keep the decor here simple – one large piece above the mantelpiece and one or two classic pieces on the mantelshelf itself.

West Country Fires offers a fine selection of modern marble fireplaces, and one of these is the Alex. Available in Madre Perla or Giallo Beige marble, the Alex is simple yet stunningly stylish, and will provide a striking focal point in any room. Contact West Country Fires for the price or if you have any other queries regarding this fireplace.

Another lovely contemporary marble fireplace from West Country Fires is the Millennium York, made from micro marble. This is a classic style fireplace with a contemporary twist, and thus will look great in traditional and modern homes alike. Again, for prices and any enquiries, contact West Country Fires.

Hardy & Gibbs, based in Benfleet, Essex, have an excellent range of modern marble fireplaces on sale, and these range from traditional with a contemporary twist, to ultra-modern models suitable for the most modern of settings. The Campden is a gorgeous fireplace reminiscent of the Art Deco era, and the Chanin, also in the Art Deco style, is simply beautiful, with its clean lines and black slate frame. Customers are welcome to visit the showroom during opening hours, and if you have any queries regarding any of Hardy and Gibbs’ fireplaces, contact them direct.

Manchester’s Wisdom Fireplaces sell a wide selection of modern marble fireplaces, and all these are available to view at the company’s showrooms in north and south Manchester. The Oslo mantel is a contemporary version of an Arts & Crafts fireplace, and is available in marfil micro marble. The Ashbourne suite features a simple yet beautiful chunky mantel in micro marble, which looks stunning when paired with a black granite back panel.

If you are after a really unique contemporary marble fireplace, Wisdom Fireplaces offer a bespoke service – contact them for details.

London’s Modus Design is one such company. They offer a stunning collection of contemporary fireplaces, with something for everyone. The customer is involved from the designing right through to installation, and Modus assure that they can stamp exclusivity and individuality onto a home. The company fashions their fireplaces from metal, glass and stone, and their outstanding designers and skilled craftsmen aim to provide clients with an ultra modern fireplace that really makes a statement. Fireplace styles include hole-in-the-wall, 2-sided, all-round view and corner.

The Platonic Fireplace Company has been designing and manufacturing bespoke fireplaces for a quarter of a century. As previously mentioned, the founder of The Platonic Fireplace Company, Henry Harrison, was also the founder of the first contemporary ‘hole in the wall’ fireplace. The company promises that each unique bespoke fireplace will reflect a client’s individuality, and that the scope is limitless.

Designer modern fireplaces can even be installed in homes with no chimney or new buildings where a naturally venting flue cannot be installed – fitting a fan- assisted flueing system solves the problem. The Platonic Fireplace Company offer hole-in-the-wall, floor standing and shelf fires.

NQ Fireplace Studio in Manchester provides a wide range of designer modern fireplaces to the North, including handcrafted stone, contemporary stainless steel and multi-fuel burners. The company are experts in advice, design and installation, and their high quality contemporary fireplaces will enhance any room.

However, all this changed through the British architect Henry Harrison. In 1984, Harrison was designing a flat in Chelsea for an American client. He had trouble finding a fireplace that reflected the modern interior of the flat, and so he came up with his own contemporary fireplace design – the hole-in-the-wall, complete with modern grate. This looked perfect until the owner spoiled the modern look by putting ordinary gas coals on the fire! Harrison intervened once more, and commissioned an artist friend to fashion some geometric shapes from fire cement. These were known as ‘platonic solids’, and were the first of his ongoing range of hand-cast ‘fire objects’, such as the pebbles and driftwood well known today.

Later that year, Harrison went on to set up The Platonic Fireplace Company. For the first ten years, the business sold a steady stream of ultra-modern fireplaces, usually to other architects and designers.  In the eighties, the public simply found the contemporary fireplace too outlandish and minimalist, despite the eagerness of the designers.

In the late nineties, however, modernism quickly came into vogue. The Platonic Fireplace Company responded by offering many styles of contemporary fireplace, with sleek lines and clean styling. However, they kept one element of the traditional – the comforting live flame.

Today, there are unlimited styles of modern fireplace on the market and these are immensely popular. The strong lines of a modern wall mounted fire provide the ultimate centrepiece in a modern room, whilst the more understated retro design harks back to days gone by. One thing is for sure – the contemporary fireplace designs available today are without doubt a worthy focal point in any modern residence.