Sky- TM vertical fireplace transformed a dated kitchen and living room into a contemporary space perfect for enjoying views of sunsets over this Minnesota lake.
Some people consider fireplaces to be like other heating appliances in the home. We, of course, see them in a different way. We consider the fireplace to be the heart of the home where special moments are shared between friends and family members. Where Christmas presents are unwrapped, champagne New Year’s toasts shared and quiet hours are spent reading on a snowy evening. A fireplace is a necessity and we love it when homeowners like this Long Lake couple create spaces where the comfort and joy of the heart of the home can be experienced.
Real Flame Burner
We were introduced to this new version of the Sky MT fireplace at the Hearth Products Show in New Orleans just before Covid -19 broke out in March of 2020. This fireplace is unique and trending because of the new natural burner that allows the flames to wrap around the logs as a real wood-burning fire would. See the whole Element4 collection here.
When I heard that the new Sky MT was ordered and going into a major remodeling project in the western suburbs, I contacted the homeowner early in the process to request images. Lucky for me the homeowner was very involved in the design and construction so he was all in on the photography project.
Three Walls of Natural Light
After months of checking in, the project finished up in the fall of 2021. Sunlight was scarce in November when the photographer was available for the shoot and the homeowner suggested we arrange to arrive before sunset in order to take advantage of lake views.
When we arrived we had just a few minutes to catch the last 20 minutes at dusk and we were glad we did. The lake views from the great room were breathtaking! With skylights and windows on three sides of this great room, natural light was abundant.
Welcome to Minnesota
The couple greeted me with a warm welcome and filled me in on their story. The fireplace was burning and warming the main floor nicely even without the need for the furnace which they explained was on the fritz at the moment.
They are ex-pats from the U.K. and after they built a retirement home in Florida, they grew tired of the Floridian lifestyle and were trying to decide between Minnesota and Colorado. Minnesota won out because of this lake home that came available at auction. Although the interior needed a lot of updating, they were in love with the lake views and the quiet but active lake community. The before images below show what they started with.
This was the first remodeling project in a list of many for this home. This plan included a new open main floor kitchen, great room, wine tasting room, and pantry.
HNH was the builder on the job. The challenge that surfaced during the planning was the repositioning of a ceiling beam in order to allow for the skylights to integrate with the see-through fireplace and venting between the kitchen space and the great room. One would never know it was a challenge by looking at the final result.
Three Reasons Why this Project Works
- The fireplace stands alone. Many designs position the fireplace over a television set or within shelving or log storage. This design allows the fireplace to be easier to enjoy. Placed off-center of the two rooms but prominent enough to be enjoyed from every angle of the two rooms.
- They selected complementary and contemporary material choices that marry well. Natural stone and light wood floors work together with the shiplap ceiling and bright walls.
- Natural light. Humans feel better in natural light- more is better. Read more about the benefits here.
As active rowing club members, the homeowners have adapted to lakeside living in Minnesota. We look forward to helping with the next project involving a wood-burning fireplace and we are grateful to be able to serve such nice homeowners and talented craftspeople like HNH builders.
To read more about see-through fireplaces, see this blog.
Click here to see the specifications for this fireplace.
Contact the store below to make an appointment in the showroom.
