Thursday, February 4, 2010 3www.burtonmail.co.uk
All systems glow
Cosying up in front of an
open fire is one of
winter's pleasures, and
those flickering flames
bring a room alive.
And nowadays there's no need to feel left
out in the cold if you haven't got a
chimney as there are fires to suit every
home.
Designers, recognising that fires are the
new `eye candy' for rooms, have worked
their magic on traditional fireplaces, and
created innovative solutions for homes
with no flue.
"People see fires as decorative objects these
days, not necessarily primary heat sources,"
says Simon Ray, managing director of
Encompass Furniture, which has a
desirable selection of sleek, designer fires.
"We have a basic primeval need for fire,
especially in winter, and just seeing
flickering flames is cheering and visually
irresistible."
Many contemporary fires are portable
and can be placed anywhere in the home
-- they need no flue and use either gel or
bio-ethanol, a renewable fuel with no
smoke or odour.
And if you still think there's no place for a
fire in the home, or you can't afford one,
don't get hot under the collar.
Simply switch on the brilliantly effective,
Light The Box DVD, �10.99 from
Amazon.
Played on a flat screen TV it literally
brings fires to life on screen, and there's a
choice of 12 traditional or contemporary
fire styles complete with sound effects --
crackling logs or roaring gas flames.
Enhance the effect with aroma of an open
fire by using the wood-smoke `Essence of
John Galliano' room spray by Diptyque,
�32 at Liberty.
Turn up the heat at home by choosing a
fire or `hot' effect to suit your flaming
desires.
MATTERS OF THE HEARTH
A fireplace or stove is often the natural
focal point of a room in winter, and
furniture should be pulled close to it.
"A fireplace can be an eye-catching
centrepiece which transforms a room," says
Paul Chesney, founder and owner of
Chesney's which specialises in fires and
surrounds.
"Many of our customers are deciding to
improve rather than move and want to use a
fireplace to improve their living space or
bring a new style to their home."
Take care choosing the fireplace
surround, he advises, so that it suits the
room and its proportions.
"You don't necessarily have to go for a
design which matches the age or period of
the house," he says. "Instead, be guided by
your decorating scheme. Choose something
you find attractive but do take into account
the ceiling height, room depth and chimney
breast width."
FAKING IT FIRES
Toasting your toes in front of an open fire
has always been one of life's pleasures,
but these days you can get the effect
without all the mess and pollution
associated with coals or logs.
Gas-fired coals look so good these days
it's hard to tell they're not real, or if you
haven't got a hearth-side gas supply you
could simply plug into an electric fire,
which transformed since the days of the
soulless two-bar fire.
Modern rooms are usually better suited
to more pared-down look, such as bowls
with logs or pebbles. If there's no hearth
or you want to maximise floor space a
wall-hung fire is a good choice.
STOVE STORY
Last winter's icy temperatures and sharp
hikes in fuel prices has triggered a huge
surge in demand for stoves.
It's hardly surprising because multi-fuel
and wood burning stoves are eco friendly,
visually appealing, and efficient.
While a traditional open fire is estimated
to throw out about 20 per cent of its heat
some of the latest stoves claim to
generate about 80 per cent heat
efficiency.
"Last year demand for stoves rose by around
40 per cent," says Jim Lambeth, general
manager of the Solid Fuel Association.
"People like a fire on a winter's evening --
radiators just aren't the same."
One big advantage is stoves don't need a
chimney, provided you have an external
wall, they can be installed virtually
anywhere.
Check out what capacity you need for a
room by logging on to
www.stovesonline.co.uk which has an
online calculator, and then decide what
fuel you'll use, logs, coal or both, pellets
or gas, oil or electricity. Don't forget to
check whether you're in a smoke-free
zone.
For further information call the agent on 01283 211411.
�169,950
Available for immediate
occupation is this spacious
one bedroom bungalow in
Findern.
Originally, the property in
Longlands Lane had two bedrooms
and could easily be converted back
to this.
Situated in a sought-after location,
the residence is available at
�169,950 with Beginnings, and the
accommodation comprises, in
brief: entrance lobby and hallway;
lounge with feature brick-built
fireplace; dining room; kitchen with
a range of wall and floor
units, single drainer sink,
electric free-standing
cooker with extractor hood
above; bedroom with two
sets of built-in wardrobes,
one with three double
wardrobes and one with
two double wardrobes with
a dressing table between,
and a family bathroom
with a white suite comprising a
bath, wash hand basin and a low-
level wc.
To the front of the property is a
garden laid to lawn with a driveway
to the side leading to the garage.
The rear garden is mainly laid to
lawn with an area ideal for a
vegetable patch..
For further information call the agent on 01283 548194.
�550,000
Enjoying a favoured
location in the heart of
Tutbury is this spectacular
individually-designed five
bedroom detached family
home.
With stamp duty paid, The Gables
in Burton Road is for sale with
Scargill Mann at �550,000, and the
accommodation comprises, in
brief: entrance porch; wide
reception hallway with an oak
stained staircase; magnificent full-
length lounge with a brick feature
inglenook fireplace with arch and
heavy oak mantle incorporating a
multi-fuel stone, and French
windows leading to the rear garden;
dining room with a wall mounted
storage cupboard; sitting room;
study; L-shaped breakfast
kitchen with an extensive
range of wall and floor
units, inset sink unit,
breakfast bar, integrated
dishwasher, recessed
inglenook brick fireplace with an
oak mantle above and a range-style
cooker; utility room with plumbing
for a washing machine, a tumble
dryer point, a base storage
cupboard and wall-mounted
cupboards, and a guest cloakroom.
To the first floor: large landing with
wooden stripped flooring; principal
bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe
and an en suite shower room; four
further bedrooms, two with built-in
wardrobes and one with an under
eaves storage cupboard, and a
luxury family bathroom with a
corner bath, low-level wc, wash
hand basin and ample provision
and space for a shower to be fitted.
Outside the property is a delightful
garden with terraced banking, a
water feature, well-stocked
planting, large patio areas, formal
lawns and flowering beds.
To the front is a long driveway with
ample parking, a double garage and
terracing and decking areas.
The property enjoys a high degree
of seclusion and privacy with
magnificent views overlooking
Tutbury Castle.

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