If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the fireplace is most surely the hearth. We consider 10 beautiful fireplaces that use natural stone, porcelain and tiles to enhance their architecture and propose new directions in design.
Fireplaces have long been more than just a source of warmth—they bring an undeniable sense of cosiness and connection to a home. When thoughtfully designed, they become a striking focal point that enhances the aesthetic and architectural narrative of a space. In our work with some of Australia’s finest residential architects and interior designers, we witness how the design and placement of a fireplace can elevate a room, transforming it into both a functional and expressive design feature.
Whether the fireplace is the centrepiece of the room, or acts as a subtle room divider, the positioning of the hearth can dramatically influence the room’s overall feel. The material palette, too, plays a vital role in shaping the fireplace’s presence, either standing as the defining feature or blending with the surrounding interior design.
Here are 10 fireplaces that harness natural stone, porcelain and tiles to create real impact and make a design statement unique to the home.
1. This tiled fireplace creates a visual anchor
From carefully chosen selections to layout intricacies and design elements, every facet of Hai Lang Residence by Birdblack Design blends fluidly, and in harmony with one another. “The vision for the main living area was to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, divided into three distinct zones: the kitchen, the dining room, and the lounge room,” says Sarah Nolen of Birdblack Design. The fireplace is a key visual anchor of this open-plan space and, as Sarah says, required a carefully chosen Inax Sekiha tile cladding to ensure the design’s success, given its prominent scale. More here
2. Monolithic fireplaces use singular materials to accentuate sheer volume
The Whipbird Residence by Minnow Studio and Zerni uses natural stone to create its own modern tropical aesthetic, employing natural materials that sit in harmony with their surrounding landscape and provide a constant source of beauty and comfort. Finishes are very cleverly limited to use singular materials en masse. This works to accentuate the sheer volume of each space, especially in the case of the fireplaces, which are neatly encased by timber and Ocean Blue Travertine. More here
3. Black tiled joinery highlights quality detailing and a timeless aesthetic
In this inner-city home, known as Balaclava Residence by Olaver Architecture, spatial planning was paramount, and natural light the feature material. The fireplace is expertly integrated into a credenza unit that extends from inside to out. A special alcove for firewood further accentuates the indoor-outdoor connection. Finished in black Inax handcrafted Japanese tiles, the linear credenza feels both minimal (speaking to the gridded steel windows) and textural.
4. Like a finessed sculpture – floor-to-ceiling fireplace clad in green quartzite
At Concrete Curtain by FGR Architects, Aquarzo (a striking green quartzite) appears throughout, from kitchen to living area, and cladding the floor-to-ceiling fireplace, creating a welcomed continuity. FGR principal Feras Raffoul says, “The choreography of slender forms, finishes and joinery contribute to the entire ensemble as are fined, finessed sculpture.” More here
5. Brick-look tiles find the balance between heritage and contemporary
Weeroona House is a Queen Anne villa in Hawthorn, Melbourne, featuring a noteworthy, copper-clad extension by Neil Architecture which demonstrates a cultivated response to the coalescence of heritage and contemporary architecture. The home also features a series of spirited touches by Simone Haag. Finding that balance between the heritage and contemporary are the Fabe RE brick-look tiles that surround the living area’s floor-to-ceiling fireplace with its neighbouring wood storage and television. Both an architectural feature and inviting gathering spot for the home’s residents. More here
6. Elegant marble fireplace accentuates a relaxed, coastal vibe
Neptune Street by Space Control is the picture of elegance and balance. Open planning living is focused around a marble fireplace, finished in Statuario Corchia. Its silvery patterning and smooth honed finish perfectly fits with the minimalist white colour palette that contributes to the home’s laidback coastal vibe.
7. Four-metre-high fireplace clad in glass mosaics
In this Woollahra Residence by James Kintore of Kintore Design a sense of age, texture and patina is achieved through high-quality material selections, some selected for their perfectly-imperfect effect. Upholding that unique material story is the four-metre-tall fireplace, clad entirely in Vixel tiles. The tiles offer a sense of movement, not to mention visual interest, making the fireplace a really striking feature, offset by the softness of full-height sheer curtains. More here
8. Porcelain panels achieve that ultra contemporary impact
These Wentworth Point Apartments by Billbergia reveal the architectural prowess of porcelain as an elegant and durable choice for fireplace cladding. This freestanding fireplace, which doubles as a room divider has been clad in porcelain panels – a material that is notable for its strength, affordability, easy everyday maintenance and superior architectural aesthetic. More here
9. Charcoal-blue stone creates a sophisticated backdrop to family life
Much family time is spent around the kitchen table and the fireplace in this Potts Point home by Akin Atelier. Original features of the home, which dates back to the 19th century, have been cherished and complemented by the solid, charcoal-blue tones of the Kzar-clad internal wall, which houses the fireplace. The colour, texture and expanse of this quartzite makes for a sophisticated architectural insertion and a fabulous backdrop to family life.
10. Earthenware-look tiles ground the grandeur of Elba in this living room fireplace
Defined by a modernised Deco style and contemporary design vision Hawthorn House by Christopher Elliott Design offers plentiful moments of scale and grandeur. Artedomus Elba has been used throughout, starting with the staircase and continuing through to the joinery. Drawing together the living zone and infusing it with ambient mood is the fireplace, clad in textured Inax Fabe Ox tile. With a distinctive “earthenware look, I love how the rawness of the finish, which is enhanced by not using grout,” says Christopher Elliott. More here
The team at Artedomus can help you pick out the perfect choice for your project from our huge variety of stock. And, no matter where you’re located in Australia, our national stock is ready and available for selection and purchase.
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Words by Alice Blackwood