Five Favourite Fireplaces from the Past Year

Reflecting on 2025’s interior designs, the fireplace remained the definitive centrepiece of the home. It is rarely just about providing warmth; it’s about the way a room organises itself around the hearth. The fireplace shapes spatial flow, guides the placement of couches and armchairs, and provides lighting that softens a room after nightfall. Many of you have probably spent evenings captivated not by a screen, but by the flicker of a flame, creating memories in the warm glow of carefully chosen décor.

Lacunza Atlantic 613

The Lacunza Atlantic 613 model defined the concept of the “vertical viewing window” this year. Boasting the largest glass in its class, this unit has turned fire into a piece of living art. The inclusion of a built-in log storage base introduced a necessary textural contrast, raw timber against metal, which softens the industrial aesthetic. With a substantial 8–14 kW output and precision dual-air controls, the 613 fireplace lets homeowners manage the burn rate with a level of sensitivity rarely seen in high-output heating.

For those seeking a clean, simple design with a local advantage, the Forge f120 Panoramic, launched earlier in the year, proved exceptional. Manufactured in Cape Town, this range offers a significant price advantage over similar European imports without compromising on quality or aesthetics. Built with a vermiculite interior and firebrick floor, it balances industrial durability with refined performance, proving that local craftsmanship can compete on the global stage.

In more intimate settings, the Henley Sherwood 8 demonstrated that a fireplace does not require massive scale. Its matt black finish creates a stark, sophisticated contrast against lighter palettes. And with an efficiency rating of 77.9% and multi-fuel capability, it marries the charm of a traditional stove with strict contemporary environmental standards.

Charnwood Island 2

The Charnwood Island 2 adds a touch of British heritage to the line-up. This mid-to-large, low-leg, double-door fireplace delivers a nominal 8 kW output and is recognised as one of the easiest units to operate, thanks to its patented single-lever air control. The combination of boilerplate steel and cast iron ensures lasting durability, while cool-touch mechanisms make daily use straightforward. With options such as high legs, a store stand, and eight colour finishes, it suits a wide variety of interior styles.

Finally, for the modernists, the Signi Fires Vent-Free Gas Drop-In offered liberation from the chimney. Available in linear sizes from 800 mm to 2000 mm wide, these units, in powder-coated black or brushed stainless steel, integrate seamlessly into contemporary bespoke features. They create a clean aesthetic in which the flame becomes a structural element, ideal for open-plan living where flow is paramount.

If 2025 proved anything, it’s that fireplaces help create the atmosphere, support conversations, and leave behind a trail of memories to carry into the year ahead. And with designs like these, I’m looking forward to the stories still to come.