Fireplace as Art: Elevating the Heart of a Luxury Coastal Home
A fireplace is more than just a feature - it’s the soul of a space. In a luxury coastal home, it should feel effortless yet commanding, blending warmth, texture, and refinement into a statement that anchors the room.
Lately, I’ve been working on two fireplaces - one a complete reimagination, the other a brand-new addition. And what’s clear in both projects is this: the most beautiful, show-stopping fireplaces don’t just happen. They are designed with intention, considering scale, materiality, and integration in a way that makes them feel as natural as the ocean breeze outside.
Here’s what sets a truly exceptional fireplace apart.
A Presence That Matches the Space
In a luxury home, scale isn’t an afterthought - it’s everything. A fireplace should feel grand, proportional, and seamlessly connected to the room’s architecture.
A floor-to-ceiling fireplace commands attention, particularly in homes with soaring ceilings. The height alone makes a statement, turning the fireplace into a sculptural element rather than just a functional fixture.
Wider fireplaces feel anchored and intentional, creating a natural balance against expansive walls or panoramic coastal views.
Thoughtful proportions - mantels that feel substantial but not overpowering, surrounds that echo the home’s architecture - make all the difference in achieving that effortless, curated feel.
In a recent project, we extended a fireplace up to a vaulted ceiling, cladding it in a singular slab of stone. The effect? Monumental, elegant, and undeniably luxurious.
Materiality: Texture, Depth, and the Art of Restraint
A beautifully designed fireplace is all about materiality - rich textures, soft contrasts, and a balance of drama and restraint.
Natural stone slabs (marble, quartzite, or limestone) create a seamless, high-impact moment. Whether subtly veined or boldly patterned, they exude luxury.
Statement tile offers a more tailored approach, introducing pattern, texture, or color in a way that feels curated rather than trendy.
For those who prefer a softer aesthetic, breaking up the surround can be stunning: textural treatments like board and batten, vertical shiplap, or plaster above a stone base create depth while keeping the look airy and elegant.
Custom trimwork elevates even the simplest materials, bringing an architectural finesse that instantly feels bespoke.
One of my favorite current projects layers hand-cut stone on the lower half with a vertical shiplap treatment above - grounded yet fresh, with a coastal ease that feels both refined and inviting.
Designed for Living: The Details That Make It Work
Beyond beauty, a fireplace should feel fully integrated into the life of the home. Every detail - whether seen or subtly felt - should contribute to its effortless sophistication.
Built-ins or shelving on either side create balance and offer space for curated moments—art, sculptural objects, coastal finds collected over time.
Lighting is everything. Recessed glow above the mantel, integrated sconces, or hidden uplighting along textured stone transform the fireplace from static to atmospheric.
TV or no TV? For clients who want both design and function, concealed panels or frame-mounted artwork keep technology discreet, ensuring the fireplace remains the star.
For a recent project, we incorporated floating white oak shelves flanking the fireplace, lit from above for an intimate, gallery-like effect. Instead of a TV, a custom art installation brings color and movement, ensuring the fireplace remains a design focal point in its own right.
More Than a Fireplace - A Signature Statement
The best-designed homes have a sense of effortlessness - the feeling that every detail has always been there, perfectly in place. A fireplace should carry that same energy, becoming a defining feature that not only warms a space but shapes its entire presence.
If you’re ready to transform your fireplace into something truly extraordinary, let’s create something beautiful together.
Get in touch to start designing your dream home today.