At the bottom of a garden in Hackney, London, lives this striking, modern, geometric ‘Writer’s Shed’ by British architects Weston, Surman & Deane. It was designed as a writing retreat for an author and acts as his city sanctuary where he immerses himself in his work. A Charnwood C-Four was selected to feature prominently in the design from both a visual and functional perspective.
Read on to learn why Charnwood was the ideal choice for these designers
The shed’s design responds to the client’s passion for literature and mythology. Outside, the glowing cedar façade, shingle cladding, log store and chimney invite you into its world. Inside, a large skylight floods the workspace with natural light. The bookcase on the gable wall is carefully crafted around the Charnwood C-Four wood-burning stove situated in the heart of the space.
The Writer’s Shed was shortlisted for the architect’s journal small projects competition 2014 and won the Hackney design award and Hackney People’s Choice award in 2015.
Charnwood C-Four
The C-Four, with its large picture window, benefits from Charnwood’s latest Cleanburn technology and delivers a heat output of between 2 to 5.5kW. It’s a classically styled wood-burning stove that features one single air control and an integrated inlet for ducting external air to improve performance and efficiency. This stove meets Clean Air Act requirements and allows you to burn wood in smoke control zones in London and other densely populated areas.
Key Features:
-Cleanburn airwash technology
-Drop down throat plate enabling the chimney to be swept through the stove
-DEFRA exempt for burning wood in smoke control areas
-The stove can take logs up to 282mm (11”)
Relaxation & focus
The crackle and warmth produced by fire creates a perfect creative, scholarly and stress-free environment. It blocks out and reduces the need for distractions allowing you to be present and focused on the task at hand. Below are some quotes from our customers from a recent well-being survey that highlights how a stove can be an antidote to the digital age and help create an ideal workspace.
“Helps to switch off from the technology that takes over our everyday lives. You feel a sense of achievement when the first sparks ignite.”
“It’s extremely relaxing to sit by the fire and watch the flames dance away. So much so in fact, that we opted to cancel our Netflix subscription and we simply don’t watch it any longer. We’d much rather sit and watch the fire instead!”
“Sitting round the fire has become a special tradition. We’ve removed our technology from the living room and now have the fire and bookcase”
“We watch the flames not the TV (even the dog likes to sit and stare)”
“I sit on the sofa watching the flames. It’s better than watching tv”
“Mesmerising flame watching takes us away from our worries and concerns. The room has a focus that isn’t a screen and gives warmth with it.”
Willow Cottage is both a photography/film location and a unique homestay. Its charming interiors have featured in publications such as Conde Nast Traveller and Country Homes & Interiors as well as attracting visitors from near and far. Charnwood were delighted to supply our Island I wood-burning stove which brings real warmth and comfort to this gorgeous little cabin.
Read on to learn more about Willow Cottage and why Charnwood fits perfectly.
This gorgeous rustic little cabin is located at the bottom of the garden on the grounds of Foster House in Rye, South East England. It is self-contained behind a picket fence and elegant New England Style gates. A luxurious ‘shabby chic’ interior with a rough wooden floor and a small Everhot Aga-style cooker is complemented by a Charnwood Island I wood-burning stove.
At the back, it opens onto a secret garden with decked and shingled areas and flower-filled raised beds. A conservatory and hot tub allow guests to absorb the peace and tranquility of this magical secluded retreat.
It’s such an evocative location and one can imagine lazy mornings with breakfast in the magnificent 4-poster bed, sunlight pouring in, the sounds of nature and of course a roaring fire in the evening after a blissful day.
The all-new Island I is the smallest stove in the Island collection and is perfectly suited to the space at Willow Cottage.
Its uncomplicated looks and gentle curves ensure it sits well in any situation; be it modern or traditional. It can take a log length of up to 370mm (14.5”) and with a rated output of 5kW the Island I, in certain situations, can be installed without the need for external air. This stove meets Clean Air Act requirements and boasts an efficiency of over 85% and an extremely low smoke particle level of 9mg/m3 (the Ecodesign limit is 40mg/m3).
With groundbreaking new burn technology, the Island I not only meets Defra exemption limits (allowing wood to be burnt cleanly in smoke control areas) but vastly exceeds the new 2022 Ecodesign standards.
Cultivating a deeper connection to nature
Much like taking a trip to the Rye countryside, using a woodstove gives its owners a deeper connection to nature. Collecting firewood, chopping and preparing a stove feels primal and awakens a natural sensibility.
Below are some quotes from our customers from a recent well-being survey that highlights this connection.
“Worked in forestry for 36 years, just a natural thing to do, can’t beat a real fire.”
“Chopping and stacking wood is very calming and lets my mind focus on that one task. Building, lighting and getting the fire to the perfect temperature does the same and gives a real sense of achievement. It all makes me feel closer to nature.”
“For me, sitting around a real fire has a deep connection to something ancient.”
“There’s something deeply Primeval about lighting a fire and benefiting from its heat. Every time you light it there is a deep sense of satisfaction”
“Splitting logs gets me outside and keeps me active, which is good for my body and mind. There’s also a great sense of satisfaction in getting the wood pile ready for winter, and I’ve also learned a lot about different types of wood and how to manage trees sustainably.”
“Watching the stove in full display is almost hypnotic and has great relaxing properties. It also has a back-to-nature feel and without any electrical devices in the room is perfect for de-stressing.”
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you’re ready to buy or just want to discuss your options, we strongly recommend that you contact an official Charnwood stockist, where the before and after-sales support will be of a standard approved by us.
We recently released the fascinating results of the Charnwood Wellbeing Study 2021 which revealed 93% of 1227 wood-burning stove users recognise their stove’s positive impact on wellbeing. A further 6% answered maybe with only 1% replying no. The study also gave additional detailed insight into how these wellbeing benefits are experienced and this blog will take a closer look at these findings.
‘Results indicated consistent blood pressure decreases in the fire-with-sound condition, particularly with a longer duration of stimulus, and enhancing effects of absorption and prosociality. Findings confirm that hearth and campfires induce relaxation as part of a multisensory, absorptive, and social experience.’
So, in short, science supports what our survey participants reported below.
“I find the process of building and lighting the fire therapeutic and sitting watching the flames is very relaxing.”
A fire promotes feelings of safety and security which helps relaxation. Tension is often held in the body and the warmth of the fire seems to have a physiological effect as well as a psychological one. The heat relaxes the muscles, and the mind follows.
“It helps me to switch off after work and also to consider things more clearly and calmly. It seems to warm my soul as well as my feet!”
“We love our log burner. It makes us feel warm, safe and secure. It helps heat the whole house, which has proved an asset in power cuts. Nothing beats sitting in the living room with the warmth of the fire in the depths of winter.”
“It’s extremely relaxing to sit by the fire and watch the flames dance away. So much so in fact, that we opted to cancel our Netflix subscription and we simply don’t watch it any longer. We’d much rather sit and watch the fire instead!”
Stress release
With stress widely regarded as one of the unhealthiest components of our lives, it is encouraging to know that a fire can change these negative states of being.
“You can just gaze into the fire and be taken away from the stresses of work. It gives opportunity for the family to come together and talk. Talking just seems to come easier when siting around the stove.”
“Chopping wood is a great way to relieve stress! Everyone congregates around the fire and the children like to help with the kindling etc. It just creates a special atmosphere.”
“All my problems seem very manageable when I feel the fires warmth, realising that life is good and that I shouldn’t stress out about the small stuff.”
Improves mood
Mood and happiness are intertwined and while we all have strategies to improve our mood, some are better for us than others. Lighting your stove is arguably one of the better ways to improve your mood and one that can be depended upon time and time again.
“The world seems much better with a stove! It has huge mental health benefit, particularly during pandemic “ Again, whether that is improving from a negative state or enhancing an already wonderful occasion, it appears a significant proportion of participants recognise a strong effect from their wood-burning experience on their mood.
“Really effective on cold winter afternoons with few outdoor options. Definitely a mood lifter.”
“My stove helps with relaxation & mood improvement. It helps to unwind after a day’s exertions at work.”
Promotes Family Bonding
With more of our lives being played out online, those of us who remember life before social media, recognise the negative impact on in-person interaction and connection. One can be in the same house, room or even at the same dinner table as others and still feel detached from the person gazing at their phone. As an antidote, a wood-burning stove can provide a focal point for the home, encouraging people to share space and spark conversation. Time shared in this way often leads to a deeper sense of connection and a tighter family unit.
“You can just gaze into the fire and be taken away from the stresses of work. It gives opportunity for the family to come together and talk. Talking just seems to come easier when siting around the stove.”
“Something the whole family enjoy doing together and it makes us all feel incredibly relaxed and happy.”
“After a day of sledging and building snowmen and having snowball fights with the family it was very relaxing and comforting for us all to warm up in front of the fire.”
“Having the fire going brings everyone to the same room. This helps with family bonding and discussions in general. With our digital lives, it is so easy to just stay in your room and get distracted. However, the fire brings us together and we can even share a warm drink together!”
Homely atmosphere
Now this one didn’t surprise us too much, gaining the most votes out of any of the options available. Relating to family bonding, the fireplace has long been the centre of the home and we are hardwired to respond positively to its influence.
“Winter evenings with friends. Whenever we have visitors during the winter, we always make sure the stove is running as this usually ensures nobody will request the television be turned on, leading to an altogether much nicer atmosphere with people actually chatting and engaging much more, rather than staring at the screen.”
“Chopping wood is a great way to relieve stress! Everyone congregates around the fire and the children like to help with the kindling etc. It just creates a special atmosphere.”
“Christmas especially. The stove just provides a much-needed atmosphere on a cold winter’s night. You feel relaxed, cosy and there is something about it that just welcomes you into the living room. I couldn’t live without it.”
Meditative
The recognition of meditation’s utility in our modern lives has grown exponentially over recent years. Online meditation apps, sound meditations as well as more traditional forms have all been widely adopted. Despite these great tools, it can still be very challenging to unlock the benefits of meditation through a strict dedicated practice.
Perhaps equally beneficial and certainly more accessible are those everyday acts/experiences that encourage something approaching a meditative state. Hobbies, music, walks in nature etc. can, from anecdotal evidence, bring about these states to greater or lesser degrees. Wood-burning is also certainly on that list. A full sensory experience that allows the mind to detach from thoughts more easily, replacing with a spaciousness that is restorative. Detaching from thoughts and stilling the mind is so much easier when one has a focus, be it the breath, a mantra, or a fire…
“It draws the family (and pets) into the room, warms the atmosphere and the space and watching the flames is meditative too. “
“You can just gaze into the fire and be taken away from the stresses of work. It gives opportunity for the family to come together and talk. Talking just seems to come easier when siting around the stove.”
“Watching the stove in full display is almost hypnotic and has great relaxing properties. It also has a back to nature feel and without any electrical devices in the room is perfect for de-stressing.”
“Mesmerising flame watching takes us away from our worries and concerns. The room has a focus that isn’t a screen and gives warmth with it.”
Escapism
The process of lighting a fire taps into the more primal part of our brain and somehow allows us to switch off from the everyday stresses and escape from worry. A warm fire signifies access to cooking, warmth, and shelter and when these primary needs are catered for, we instinctively feel better about life.
“Fire is deep within the human psyche and sits in a happy place in our limbic brain. You get lost from the day to day in a fire – it’s a little bit of wilderness in the order of the day to day.”
“I’ve long felt a disconnect between earning money in the corporate world and home life. Here is something with a direct connection – the family stay warm through my simple effort.”
“Helps to switch off from the technology that takes over our everyday lives. You feel a sense of achievement when the first sparks ignite.”
Other
There are too many incredible quotes to list them all. To give a feel for the full range of benefits that a log burner can bring to wellbeing, here’s a list of the most used words and phrases in the ‘Other’ category:
Safety, protection, memories, therapeutic, comforting, unwind, switch off, tradition, better than tv, mesmerising, warmth, warm my soul, nicer atmosphere, joyful experience, encourages chatting, stove is a catalyst, congregates, less vulnerable, natural, sense of achievement, hypnotic, cosy, ritual, magical, toasting marshmallows, contentment, building a memory…
The results of the Charnwood Wellbeing Survey are the first of its kind. Whilst offering many fascinating insights into life with a log burner, as with many things in life, seeing is believing. Perhaps we can modify this expression to ‘experiencing is believing’ as far more than one sense is stimulated when nestling down in front of a toasty fire on a cold winters evening.
Increasingly people are turning to wood-burning stoves to create warm, comforting, and restorative spaces — hugely beneficial at the best of times, but particularly during this period. A wood-burning stove can be the beating heart of a happy household, a focal point to gather round and converse or sit silently while absorbing the hypnotic and healing power of glowing flames. In this blog we will look at how carefully considered fireside accessories can be wonderful furnishings in their own right and enhance the fireside experience even further.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
Whether you want to match your stove’s colour to your latest renovation project or simply give your stove a touch up, we offer cans of our high temperature stove paint in the 8 Charnwood colour options. Designed for easy application, they are a simple yet brilliant way to give your stove and space a new lease of life.
Vlaze Panels
Vlaze is a unique material, both in its capacity to resist heat and protect, but also with the aesthetic potential it offers. It is well proven as a fireside accessory, with exceptional durability and thermal resistant properties. Vlaze is colour-fast, allows for printed graphics and offers limitless scope for design. With unrivalled heat resistant and anti-static properties, a Vlaze panelled surface will stay looking clean and sharp.
From left to right: Vlaze Heat Shield, Insert Surround, Hearth and Chamber Plate Forest Design
Heat Shields
The design of this heat shield is one of 30 finishes that allows you to add real character and satisfy your aesthetic impulses.
The vitreous enamel panel features a dual skin that provides thermal protection and an effective convection system that distributes heat back into the room.
Our rail mounted system included allows for quick and easy installation and when installed the shield reduces the stoves distance to the face of the panel to 95mm. In the case of a Charnwood stove this is reduced to just 75mm which is a vast improvement on HETAS regulations and really allows you to maximise the size of your space.
Vlaze Insert Surrounds
The designer finish of this stunning insert surround adds so much to the look and feel of the space. A beautiful backdrop to your wood-burning stove, whether the flames are flickering or not. Made to measure in one piece to fit around any insert stove, preventing cracking and discolouration on the chimney breast. They feature a slim 9mm radius edge insulated with fire rated fibre board, minimising intrusion into your space, supplying a neat and elegant finish.
Vlaze Hearth and Chamber Plates
We love this Forest Design hearth and chamber plate. This contemporary design offers a clean, modern platform on which to stand your stove. An excellent alternative to glass or polished stone they can be used on their own or alongside our heat shields and insert surrounds for a seamless floor to wall solution.
The smooth gloss surface finish is heat resistant, easy to clean and is available in over 30 colours & designer finishes. Each hearth features a smooth radius edge and is insulated with fire rated fibre board to take the heat and weight of the stove.
Our hearth plates are available in 5 sizes which is suitable for most stoves and are constructed to a solid 12mm depth which conforms to UK building regulations for non constructional hearths.
Bodj Accessories
The beautiful range of Bodj fireside accessories above are a perfect complement to your fireplace. The minimalist, elegant lines married to high-quality natural materials, create fireplace furnishings that add style and sophistication.
Bodj is a fair-trade initiative that aims to develop local Cambodian businesses in order to relieve poverty and improve social and environmental conditions for the future. They produce a range of sustainably sourced, beautifully designed fireside accessories for the ethical and style-conscious home.
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Having the perfect fireplace at the heart of the home involves careful consideration of all aspects of the process. A beautiful stove is unquestionably the most crucial element, however choosing the right accessories can have a significant impact on performance and your personal satisfaction.
For frequent fireside inspiration, we encourage you to follow along with our Instagram accounts @charnwoodstoves and @vlazesurface.
At Charnwood we are always interested in the latest trend reports for the home and with 2020’s lockdown forcing Brits to spend more time indoors than ever before, an interesting new survey from Tiles Direct reveals how homeowners got creative with their interiors (and gardens) this year.
The online tile retailer quizzed over 400 Brits* if and where they’d donned their overalls and whipped out their paint rollers this year.
Of those surveyed, just 7.8% hadn’t redecorated or renovated any room of their home – suggesting that homeowners have been unable to endure lockdown in outdated or off-trend interiors.
The great outdoors
Accounting for 29.2% of the overall vote, the garden came out on top as the most popular spot for home renovations this year. Here at Charnwood we certainly found this to be true with our new outdoor Charnwood Fire Balls selling incredibly well.
With the UK’s nationwide lockdown lasting from 16th March to 1st June, this data comes as little surprise – with the sunny weather leaving cooped-up homeowners desperate for a taste of the great outdoors. Our sister company had great success with their newly launched Adapt Outdoor Kitchen units.
Garden renovations were most popular among 25-34 and 35-44 year olds – the demographics most likely to have younger children – and with some schools being shut for as long as 7 months throughout 2020, who can blame them?
No place like home
Stepping through the front door of Brits’ homes, the living room was the next most popular spot for a little interior design TLC, with 28.4% of respondents revitalising their living room in 2020. We saw a sharp increase in sales of our wood burning stoves and accessories such as toasting forks and basketware. Our fireplace products such as our Vlaze heat shields and hearth plates also faired well.
Homeowners weren’t struck with inspiration from the off, though – instead turning to the internet, with living room related searches being among the most commonly searched interior-based keywords in Google this year.
Taking the third and fourth spots were kitchens and bedrooms, accounting for 19.5% and 19.8% of the vote respectively. With a mammoth 46.6% of the UK workforce working from home in April, and current government advice continuing to encourage flexible home working wherever possible, we’ve seen these rooms serve as part-time living spaces and part-time office spaces.
With this in mind, it’s little surprise that home workers have chosen to transform these interiors into something a little more inspiring.
Towards the end of 2020 we launched our stove pods: a quick-to-fit instant fireplace incorporating a chamber and hearth. We were taken by surprise at the popularity but are subsequently discovering that many of these sales are for home offices and sheds and cabins situated in the garden.
With 16.5% of the vote, the bathroom was still a relatively popular spot for home renovations in 2020, with concerns surrounding hygiene racing up the list of Brits’ DIY priorities.This is an area that again our sister company Vlaze have seen an increase in with their shower and wetroom panelling
The dining room was the least popular room for redecoration this year, accounting for just 12.4% of the total vote. With social distancing guidelines still in place and household mixing continuing to be discouraged or banned, one of the home’s main social hubs was unsurprisingly shown little love this year.
The lockdown lowdown
Tiles Direct also analysed their top 500 site searches in 2020 to identify the most in-demand tile types of the last year and pinpoint common themes surrounding users’ choice of shape, colour and material or finish. We always like to keep on top of fire surround trends so these results throw up some interesting data which is reflected in many of the Charnwood installations we have seen shared on our social channels.
When it came to tile shapes, some of the latest interior fads came out on top:
1. Herringbone
2. Hexagon
3. Metro
4. Mosaic
5. Chevron
Colours threw up some surprises, with homeowners opting for bright and vibrant over timeless and traditional.:
1. Pink
2. Green
3. Blue
4. White
5. Gold
While our stoves colour range is relatively subtle we do offer a green and blue that are becoming increasingly popular with customers
Luxurious longevity was the name of the game when it came to materials and finishes:
1. Marble
2. Terrazzo
3. Quarry
4. Slate
5. Wood
*This data was gathered in December 2020 and includes responses from 409 people in the UK.
The importance of wall protection when installing a freestanding stove
As the cold season is fast approaching, many homeowners are rushing to prepare for the winter, and one effective way is to get your fireplace ready. As you will be aware, the fireplace serves to keep you and your family warm and comfortable during the winter months. Whether it’s a wood-burning or multi-fuel burner, it produces controlled heat that can warm your home’s space.
However, did you know that a vital part of the overall equation in your wood-burning stove is the heat shield? As the name suggests, it is typically installed behind a freestanding stove and it is designed to protect your wall from heat damage. However, while most wood stoves come with heat shields, some don’t have one.
In this article, we’ll specifically cover how to set clearances and install heat shields for wood stoves:
Have adequate clearances
When it comes to a wood stove, there are two key safety features you must keep in mind – sufficient clearance and wall material behind. A properly installed and maintained wood stove can ensure the safety of your appliance. Yet, inadequate clearances can be extremely dangerous for your home.
The Fire Protection Association recommends that the common radiant-type stove must be spaced out at least 900mm (36 inches) from a combustible wall although different wood burning stove manufacturers will offer their own tested safe distances. This is extremely important as your wood stove can get very hot when in operation. As a result, combustible materials too close to the stove can catch fire. By cheating on your wood stove’s clearances, you can potentially create a fire hazard.
Reduce wood stove clearances
On the other hand, know that you can reduce the clearance of your wood stove without compromising your home safety. Although you cannot completely eliminate the clearance, you can significantly reduce it. There’s only one solution to this, and that is to install a properly constructed heat shield.
For your reference, there are various types of heat shields you may want to consider for your wood stove. Be sure to follow the guidelines set forth by the HETAS for the heat shielding requirements, from the appliance selection down to its actual installation.
Vitreous Enamel heat shields
When it comes to wood stoves, installing a wall mounted heat shield is an excellent way to reduce clearance and promote home safety. A vitreous enamel heat shield is a great solution.
Vlaze Heat Shields are designed to protect and enhance the wall behind a wood burning stove creating a modern fireplace.
The vitreous enamel panel features a dual skin that provides thermal protection and an effective convection system that distributes heat back into the room. Using their rail mounted system the heat shield is quick and easy to install and is available in 3 sizes and over 30 luxurious glazed finishes. When installed on a wall the shield reduces the stoves distance to the face of the panel to 95mm and in the case of a Charnwood stove to just 75mm – a vast improvement on HETAS regulations.
Conclusion
At this point, you now know several valuable tips for your wood stove. As mentioned above, be sure to have adequate clearance or reduce wood stove clearances by installing heat shields. Furthermore, it’s best to deal with a reliable manufacturer when purchasing and installing a heat shield for your wood-burning stove. Doing so will help you make the most of your stove, protect your home, and keep you warm during the cold season!
Charnwood stoves specified for Danh Vo's Chicxulub show
We were recently asked to supply six Ecodesign Ready wood burning stoves for a show at The White Cube Gallery in Bermondsey, London. The work ‘Live Free or Die’ is part of artist Danh Vo’s exhibition, Chicxulub. Stacks of firewood are used to fuel six Charnwood Skye 7 stoves installed throughout the gallery, in return giving off heat and an atmospheric light which illuminates the space.
