ROOM SOLUTIONS

Designers on Fireplaces: Ken Bolan, Owner of Talisman

Where in a room is the best position for a fireplace?
I would normally advise that a fireplace should be centrally placed, so that it can bring balance to the room as a whole. But this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule: if you happen to be restricted by the room’s architectural structure, it is usually possible to install a fireplace on an end wall or in a corner, and it can still work extremely well.

How would you integrate the fireplace with the room’s scheme?
The important factor is to get the proportion of the fireplace with regards to the room it is intended for. These days people usually prefer modern fireplace designs, which complement rather than compete with the contemporary furniture.

What heat source would you choose?
Ideally, I would want a log fire, but in today’s environment that’s not always possible. The next best option is a gas faux log fire, which is surprisingly convincing and effective. If a real fire in the room isn’t possible, consider a fireplace as a decorative element: there is definitely scope for including non-working fireplaces purely to make a statement.