The task of turning a house into a home can often be challenging, but the rewards are all the greater when you can finally sit down and enjoy what you have created. We join Herman and Ida, who have big ideas for their new dream house, and see how they’ve created a bright and cosy home using new paint, flooring and an inviting fireplace nook.
When Herman and Ida moved into their 1980s country house in 2019, they saw there was plenty of potential to transform it into their new dream home.
"The house was in good shape, but we wanted to put our own personal stamp on it and make it our home. We knew we wanted to paint the walls, replace the flooring and install downlights in the ceiling. Painting is usually one of the first tasks you tackle after moving in because it doesn’t take too long or cost too much and you can easily do it yourself. We got through a few tins of paint over the past few years before finding the look we both wanted,” says Ida.
The living room was dominated by a large bricked-in Jøtul fireplace from the 80s. This type of fireplace was very popular back then. Unfortunately, the fireplace took up a lot of space, was not efficient at generating heat, consumed large amounts of firewood and looked rather outdated. What’s more, it did not comply with current emissions standards for particulate matter.
“When we decided to replace the floor, we soon realised that if we were going to do something about the fireplace we would need to do it at the same time. Replacing the fireplace would entail work on the walls, floor and ceiling.
So we took the brick surround apart and removed the fireplace ourselves, recycled the cast iron parts, and gave the bricks to a neighbour who needed filling material,” Herman tells us.
“We then started planning what kind of wood burner we wanted and what to do with the rest of the large wall. The old fireplace had taken up most of the wall and, since a wood-burning stove is more compact, we suddenly had plenty of space available,” says Ida.
I’ve always wanted a fireplace nook with a bookshelf where I can sit and relax in front of a cosy fire on late autumn and winter evenings.
Ida
The couple wanted to find a fireplace that they both liked and that would blend well with the rest of the living room. With a background in construction and carpentry, Herman built a bookcase and a niche for a stack of logs.
“We decided that a Jøtul F 373 Advance wood burner was the stove for us. We have had a Jøtul fireplace before and have been very pleased with it. We were looking for a timeless, clean-burning stove that generates comfortable heat. And given the expense of energy these days, it is a major plus that this stove uses half the amount of firewood than the old fireplace,” Herman says.
Contact one of our expert dealers and they can help you with your fireplace project! As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, we recycle old wood-burning stoves and conduct research into Clean burn technology, so that you can enjoy the comfort and cosiness that your fireplace brings with a clear conscience.
