MY STYLE Events manager Max Freer Inside the Egyptologist's ...

4 January 2007www.thenorthernecho.co.ukNEW LOOK: B&Q’s Saturn fluelessgas fire, £999. Below: Coral fireplacefrom Chesney’s, £1,169Being cool’s okay,but at this time ofyear what you really want is totoastyour toes. As the winter winds blowoutside, GABRIELLE FAGAN looks atwhat’s hot for the homeWinter SaleJANUARY & FEBRUARY ONLYUP TO 50% OFF BRAND NEW STOCKUP TO 70% OFF EX DISPLAY ITEMSEXTRA 10% DISCOUNT OFF SALE ITEMSON FRIDAY & SATURDAY ONLY122 Gladstone St., Darlington. DL3 6JZTel: 01325 485678www.aquabliss.co.ukfrom planning to installation...•Would you like alog fire but live inthesmokeless zone of Darlington?•Are you sick offuel increases but feel there isno alternative for you?Hot Fires have the answer•Weare stockists of ‘Vermont’ Intrepid woodburning stoves, which are approved for usein smoke free zones!!!•Wecan even supply you with renewablefuels heat logs tofuel your fires.What are you waiting for -turn up the heat!33 West Auckland Road, Cockerton 01325 351 351BaxiCondensingBoilersUp to 40% Offyour fuel billsHOTFires &HeatingHearth’sdesireCOSY’Snotawordmuchused byinteriordesigners –they prefer toconcentrateoncool concepts suchas style, design and trends. But atthistime of year,when chill windsare swirling around outside, cosy is exactlywhatwecrave.Satisfy that need with the most enduringfocalpoint–afire–forinstanttoast-your-toescomfort and awarmglowthatwould meltthemost fashionablyminimalist heart.Luckily there’s no need to sacrifice goodlooks for practicality. Interior designers suchas Kelly Hoppen, Jasper Conran and JaneChurchill haveturnedtheir talents to firesand hearths with glowingresults.They and others havetransformed them into‘eye candy’ and there’s aselection to suit everyflaming desire with traditionalinglenooks rightthrough tosleek wall firesfor streamlined uberurbanlofts.Purists will love a‘realfire’ –and don’t mind themess of coal and kindling.Risingfuel pricesalso mean that woodburningstovesarebooming.While realfireshaveawonderfullyseasonalScandinavianfeel about them,most of us prefereasy-to-clean gas or electric-powered firesand there’sagrowing range forthosewho wantflickering firelightwithout the soot.Fire expert Darren McMahon, head ofBaxiHeating UK, says:‘‘The conventionalfirewithclassic mouldings is still very popular but it’sthe state-of-the-art, wall-mounted fires whicharecapturing the attention of style leaders.‘‘Electric fires are also really forging aheadpartlybecausegone arethe days of glowing orangebars and uninspiring design. Nowthey’reeye-catching in look,areidealforroomswithoutachimneyorflueand areeasy toinstall.’’Considering the environment and our carbonfootprint is key these days so don’t forgetcheck out the energy ratings of fires and appliancesas well as focusing on their appearance.And there’s no call to be downcast even ifyou’re limited to radiators –just make them afocalpointbychoosing onesthatradiatestyleas well asheat.Turnupthe heatand followour guide tothemost hearth-warming firesaround.EYE CANDYThe fashion consciouswill love ranges offeredby companies rangingfrom B&Q to Baxi.‘‘Landscape wall-mountedfires are atop choice,with black gloss, stainlesssteel and stone overtakinglast year’s brass,gold, silver and chromefinishes,’’ McMahonsays.■ B&Q’s Saturn fluelessgas fire, £999, is anovalshape withastripof flame. It’s amodernlook suitable for homes with nochimneyorflue. Blackalsodominatesin fashion and inhomes this season and the glossy, sleek ValorDistinction from BaxiFires,£649,isahang-onthe-wallflat-screen style electric fire.HOT&MODERN■ Next’s trendy range includes the MalmoFireplace, £375, which has an ivory colouredsurround, and an oak ormaple shelf with thepopular pyramid of pebbles. It’s suitable forhomeswithout achimney.