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Custom joinery and a fireplace: a winning combo!

May 19, 2020 Leave a Comment

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When it comes to creating a focal point in a space, a fireplace is usually a real winner. Add to that, surrounding custom joinery with built-in storage and suddenly youโ€™ve made the beautiful blend of form and function. Interior designer Sarah Yarrow tells all…

The fireplace is often located in our lounge rooms which means, for these modern days we live in, weโ€™re also contending with the placement of a TV, sound equipment and a myriad of additional accessories. Using the fireplace as the starting point and evolving the design of joinery around that is the way to go.

Here are my tips for creating an impactful space using a fireplace and joinery:

Plan! Work out exactly what you need from the space – do you need loads of storage to hide kids toys, photo albums, AV equipment etc? Or, do you prefer a more minimal clean line approach with little to no closed storage with the focus being to highlight the wall texture and materials used? Can the TV sit above the fireplace or do you prefer it off to the side? Once you know what you realistically need from a functional perspective, the design of the joinery will naturally have a direction to follow.

The fireplace Decide on the type of fireplace youโ€™d like (or can have in your home). Consider your lifestyle, budget and longevity. For example, the nostalgic idea of a wood burning fireplace might conquer up warm fuzzy feelings and images of cold nights with a red wine in hand, however, the reality of that also means the clean up and maintenance that comes with a wood burner along with the smoky smell which can linger in your fabrics and safety for young children. Thatโ€™s not to say you shouldn’t install one though (Iโ€™m personally a huge fan of the tradition of a wood burning fireplace, in the right situation). The goal should always be about carefully considering what is going to work for YOU! Maybe a gas or electric fireplace will be a better option.

Materials & colour Hereโ€™s where you can have some fun! Once youโ€™ve decided on the actual fireplace, you can take those plans from step 1 and start to create the surrounding joinery. Go custom! As opposed to trying to buy off the shelf, adhoc individual furniture pieces or shelving. Custom allows you to maximise every inch available based on your design goals and will ultimately always deliver a better result. Regardless of the style youโ€™re trying to achieve, whether it be traditional and of period or contemporary, you can still inject your personality into the design via colour and material choice. This might be coloured cabinetry, textured wall panelling, an ornate marble surround or classic heritage tiles. Whatever speaks to your style and the architecture of your home. A good designer can help you visualise this with drawings and suggest the most appropriate material choice.

Finishing touches Time to personalise! Itโ€™s your home and styling it so itโ€™s representative of you and your loved ones is essential. Displaying accessories which are meaningful to you is what makes a space feel lived in, welcoming and interesting. Depending on the design of your fireplace, you may have lots of open shelving to display books and collectables; or it might be a mantle only to show off a special framed photograph and a sculptural vase. The important thing here is to showcase what you love. A few guidelines to help; less is often more, display only what you really love and store away the rest knowing you can always change the accessories up every few months or when you tire of seeing the same ones. Consider scale and proportion and try to keep a colour palette which is relevant to the other spaces within the home. If youโ€™re opting for a minimal look, displaying something ornate and sculptural is a perfect way to highlight the architecture of the fireplace and joinery and allows that accessory to be the hero – for example, a vase or urn, artwork or vintage artefact. Remember, the finishing touches can always evolve as your life changes and interests grow. Life is dynamic so there isnโ€™t necessarily a โ€˜finishedโ€™ utopia for our interiors either; I suggest to keep evolving your home, just as you do yourself. Allow it to grow with you and it will always feel relevant.

See more of the project where Sarah designed the custom cabinetry with fireplace pictured above.

A Melbourne home where custom joinery worked wonders

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Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

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โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

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One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
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Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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