On the rugged Kaikōura coastline, Lucy and Jeremy Steele’s home is a study in intention. With sweeping rural views, crisp materials, and a minimalist aesthetic, it’s a space built for both climate and connection. But at its core — literally and emotionally — sits a fireplace. Not just as a feature, but as the starting point.
We knew we wanted a fire that made an impact,” says Lucy. “As soon as we saw it, we didn’t look back. It’s the first thing people comment on when they walk in.
From the outset, the fire wasn’t an afterthought — it was a priority. Lucy and Jeremy knew their home needed warmth, but also a focal point that would bring people together.
Enter the Escea TFS1000: a powerful, Clean-Air Approved freestanding wood fireplace chosen for its pared-back silhouette, wide viewing window, suitability for modern homes, and robust heating capacity — ideal for Kaikōura’s colder months.
It was never just about function,” Lucy says. “It was about how the fire would make the space feel.
The fireplace’s placement was deliberate. Offset, it allows for full-height glazing to one side — a move that maximises natural light and creates visual alignment between the flue and the home’s black steel joinery.
Beneath the fire, a concrete hearth floats the length of the room. Equal parts aesthetic and functional, it provides seating, grounding, and depth. Integrated LED lighting beneath the hearth adds a subtle glow after dark — making the fireplace feel alive, even when not in use.
With Kaikōura’s winters in mind, performance was key. The TFS1000 delivers serious heat across the home’s expansive living zone. Thanks to Escea’s innovative Direct Vent Technology — which draws air from outside the home for combustion — there are no cold draughts or internal room vents required, a common drawback of traditional wood burners.
This system not only heats the home more efficiently, but also makes the fire especially suited to modern, airtight homes like Lucy and Jeremy’s. And with Clean Air approval in New Zealand, it delivers this performance while meeting emissions standards.
We use the fire every day in winter,” Lucy says. “It’s powerful, but also really beautiful to sit beside.
What began as a heating choice evolved into a design-defining decision — one that shaped layout, materials, and atmosphere. From flue to hearth, every detail speaks to the idea of fire not as an add-on, but a beginning.
Explore the Escea TFS1000 and discover how a modern wood fireplace can transform your space, and the way you live.