When Lucy Steele and her husband, Jeremy, returned to Kaikoura after a decade in Australia, they envisioned a home that reflected the region’s stunning landscapes while serving as a sanctuary for their growing family.

Designing for year-round comfort

Kaikoura’s chilly winters made warmth a design priority for this home. However, with summers offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor living, it was important to create a space that worked well in every season.

The Escea TFS1000 Freestanding Wood Fireplace serves as the perfect centrepiece, providing powerful heat during winter while complementing the home’s sleek, modern aesthetic year-round.

“We had a gas fireplace in our last home, and while I loved the look, this time, I wanted the warmth and feeling of a real wood fire,” says Lucy. “Winter here is so cold, and nothing compares to the crackle of real wood.”

To enhance the warmth, they installed a ducting system that channels heat from the fireplace to other parts of the house, efficiently heating the kids' rooms, playroom, and office.

A fireplace that combines innovation and design

Choosing Escea’s TFS1000 allowed the opportunity to blend the traditional charm of a wood fire with cutting-edge design.

“We loved the sleek look, the large glass window, and the impressive size — it immediately catches your eye when you walk into the room,” Lucy shares.

The fireplace sits on an extended floating hearth that runs the length of the living room, creating a striking visual feature. LED lighting underneath the hearth casts a warm glow, while backlighting highlights the textured concrete wall behind it.

This Kaikoura home achieves the perfect balance of beauty and functionality, warmth and modernity, with the Escea TFS1000 at its core — offering the best of both worlds.