Distressed Concrete Fireplace Surround, Etobicoke ON
Anthony Concrete Design was recently commissioned to custom design a simple yet stunning concrete fireplace surround for a client in the Etobicoke area of Toronto. Fireplaces are essential for comfortable Canadian living and our client needed a fireplace surround that not only facilitated maximum heat output from the wood burning fireplace, but also provided a more modern update to the existing and outdated brick surround. Our solution was a modern, distressed fireplace surround with beautiful, contemporary large format tiling.
Our client was looking for a full fireplace overhaul as part of ongoing renovations at the property. The room in question was sleek and modern, with some occasional hints of the traditional. Think stylish Barcelona chairs blended with rustic wooden flooring, and black and white color schemes coupled with splashes of vibrant artwork. The client opted for a concrete fireplace surround to pair with other natural and industrial-style materials that have been incorporated into the home.
The large format concrete tiles in ‘smoke’ color (dimension of concrete tiles: 4.5 ft x 1.5 ft) provided a minimal, almost industrial look that would prove to be bold enough to be a central focus of the space in question, and yet still sufficiently understated to appear very natural within the room. By creating a custom concrete fireplace surround personal to our client, we were able to design these tiles to fit around existing features in the room, such as the built-in shelving unit.
A Hearth for Wood Burning Fireplaces
As we were dealing with a classic wood burning fireplace and traditional wooden flooring, we needed to ensure that there was adequate protection in place. Wood burning fireplaces require a non-combustible material to protect the surrounding area, and concrete is a perfect solution for using a non-combustible material. Our custom design process allows us the flexibility to shape and create unique concrete hearth elements to successfully meet requirements. We were able to continue with the distressed concrete theme for the 1 inch solid concrete piece, and extended the hearth to a suitable distance for clearance from the fireplace.
However, in keeping with the minimal, contemporary theme of the space, we were careful to make sure that we retained that understated look. The hearth was offered in 3 different styles – flush to the floor, raised, or cantilevered – and flush with the floor was the preferred option. It was also created in the same color as the fireplace surround (color: smoke) to produce a combination with the rest of the fireplace surround that really worked well together.
At Anthony Concrete Design, we know how important a piece like this is to your home. This is why we make sure that all of our fireplace surrounds are customized to your living space. Concrete is versatile, durable, elegant, unique and modern – some of the reasons why we love it! Work with us, a designer, or an architect to get the exact look you want. Visit our Concrete Fireplaces page or Contact Us for more information about concrete fireplace surrounds.
