With autumn on the horizon, thoughts are turning to cosy nights in – and if your dream of a glowing fireplace or stove has been simmering on the back burner, now’s the time to bring it to life, says Phoebe Harper
Whether you’re craving the charm of a crackling wood fire or the sleek appeal of a modern flame, today’s fireplaces and stoves offer more choice than ever. From traditional wood-burning stoves and classic open hearths to contemporary gas, electric and bioethanol designs, there’s a style to suit every kind of space and sensibility.
Design-led options in clean-lined stone, steel or glass work beautifully in minimalist or modern homes, while electric and bioethanol models are perfect for apartments or smaller spaces, as they don’t require a chimney or flue. Traditional cast-iron stoves and rustic surrounds add timeless appeal to period homes or country cottages, evoking nostalgia and comfort.
Beyond their visual impact, fireplaces and other heat sources offer a focal feature and a natural gathering point – whether you’re curling up with a book, entertaining friends or just watching the flames dance.
Keep the home fires burning
In Cambridgeshire, we’re spoilt for choice, with a wealth of local suppliers and experts on hand to help bring your vision to life. “Begin by checking the HETAS website to ensure you’re working with a qualified professional, and check online reviews too,” advises Jamie Osbourne-Briggs, the founder of Cottenham-based Cambridge Stove Installations (CSI).
With its popular free home survey service, CSI stands out as one of the few local companies that still undertakes
open fireplace works, as well as offering an extensive choice of fires, including gas and electric, with more than 100 hearth options and a selection of bespoke surrounds.
Ivett & Reed specialise in bespoke fittings
Elsewhere, family-run stonemasonry business Ivett & Reed excels in solid stone fireplace designs, carved and hand-finished in traditional ways by stonemasons in its Cambridge workshops, using a selection of limestones, most of which are sourced from English quarries.
“Because all of our fireplaces are made to order, any of the dimensions or design features can be altered to create a truly bespoke fireplace that will suit each individual home,” explains James Hilton, business development manager at Ivett & Reed. Plus, the company offers a comprehensive fitting service, including relining of chimneys, installation of new flue systems and works in conjunction with Gas Safe Register engineers to ensure safe commissioning of gas fires.
At Zigi’s – a family business with six showrooms across East Anglia – you’ll find a wide range of fireplaces, fires and stoves to suit various home styles and preferences, including traditional wood-burning stoves, high-efficiency gas fires, electric fireplaces, contemporary multi-fuel options and fires with realistic flame effects.
“Wood-burning stoves remain a firm favourite, especially among those looking for a more sustainable and atmospheric heating solution,” observes Neil Poter from Zigi’s. “We’ve seen growing interest in electric models for their ease of use and flexible placement options – particularly in modern homes.”
The increasing popularity of electric fires and clean energy alternatives is also echoed by James. “Many newer properties are built without a chimney, and are so well insulated that the heat of a fire or stove is not necessary. Electric fires are an ideal solution in this scenario, as the flame effect can be switched on without the heater,
still providing a focal point in a room. Electric flame effects are becoming more and more realistic, and models are available in all shapes and sizes for installation into a traditional fireplace mantel or as part of a contemporary media wall,” he explains.
Getting winter-ready
Introducing a new fireplace or stove into your home is both an aesthetic and practical decision, and there are several key considerations to get the perfect fit. Begin by assessing your space: traditional wood-burning or multi-fuel stoves require a flue or chimney, while gas, electric and bioethanol models offer greater flexibility for modern homes and smaller rooms. Consider heat output – too little, and it won’t warm a larger space effectively; too much, and it could overpower a small area.
CSI provides top-quality fire and stove products
by such brands as Stovax, Onyx and Purevision
“The suitability of particular models is really down to the age of the property, the size of the room and whether it already has a chimney,” says James. “Usually, an existing chimney breast can be altered to accommodate most types of gas fire or wood-burning stove, however not having an existing chimney doesn’t prevent the installation of a fire or stove. New twin wall flue systems can be installed to connect to a wood-burning stove.” Alternatively, a wide range of balanced flue gas fires are available, which can be installed adjacent to any suitable external wall.
At CSI, there are a myriad of ways to work with versatile styles – whether that’s constructing false chimney breasts for new builds using reclaimed bricks, adding wooden beams to create that cosy country aesthetic or installing a more contemporary, freestanding option.
“For period properties, a stove with a traditional stone fireplace and rustic chamber could complement the existing architecture, while clean-lined inset stoves or wall-mounted electric fires work well in contemporary interiors,” suggests Neil.
“Ventilation, clearance away from combustibles and compliance with local regulations (eg securing DEFRA approval for smoke control areas) are also crucial practical considerations.”
Consider the room’s style and how you want the fireplace to function – will it be a focal point or a subtle heat source? Be sure to factor in installation logistics, running costs and ongoing maintenance by discussing this with your chosen installation specialist.
Cosy up!
If you’re dreaming of a warm, fire-lit Christmas or a cosy haven by the time winter truly bites, now is the time to act. Autumn might feel early, but lead times for supply and installation can stretch out, especially during peak season. Many trusted installers are booked weeks in advance, while stove or fireplace stock can become limited as demand rises.
Sleek stoves like the Clock Blithfield Compact 5 from Clock Woodburners – perfect for modern, minimalist spaces – can be sourced by Cambridge Stove Installations
At Zigi’s, Neil recommends beginning the process in late summer, early autumn at the latest. This allows ample time for site surveys, design consultations, product selection, ordering materials and professional installation, which can take several weeks depending on complexity and availability. It’s a similar story at CSI: “We take more bookings in the first two weeks of September than in any other period of the year!” says Jamie.
With Ivett & Reed, the best place to start is by scheduling a visit to a showroom to get the best feel for what’s on offer. “It’s a good idea to bring in some details of the space in which the fireplace or stove is to be installed, ideally a couple of photos, especially if there is an existing fireplace or chimney breast,” advises James.
“Lead times vary depending on what clients order and availability of products, but generally, to have a decent chance of ensuring a fireplace installation before Christmas, we suggest clients make choices and place orders by the end of September.”
By kickstarting your fireplace plans now, you’ll have a comfortable window for site preparation, delivery and fitting – sure to be fully up and running before the temperature drops and the festive gatherings truly begin.
Stockists
Cambridge Stove Installations
Glasswells
Goddards Stoves
Ivett & Reed
St Neots Fireplace & Stove Centre
stneotsfireplaceandstovecentre.co.uk
Thaxted Stoves
Zigi’s
Want more design inspiration? Take a look at our guide on creating a coastal interior.
