Moths to the Flame – JC Bordelet by Sculpt Fireplace Collection

Words by Camille Khouri
Photography by Bill Martin

Visitors to interior designer Wendy Holland’s house in Mount Martha are drawn to the central feature in her open-plan living and dining room – a suspended JC Bordelet Eva 992 fireplace from Sculpt that provides both warmth and uniquely contemporary style to the seaside home. The project is one of many on which Sculpt has worked with leading architects and designers, using their range of designer fireplaces to complete the hearts of many homes.

Set on a hill overlooking Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, Wendy’s house is designed to take in the wide-spanning views across the water and also to enjoy the contemporary interiors created by her and her husband Chris Holland, who was the builder. For Wendy, it was important to have a focal point as well as a sense of separation between the dining and living areas. She hoped to achieve this with an object that could be enjoyed from both sides of the room – and the scale and uniqueness of the JC Bordelet Eva 992 fit the bill.

The Eva 992 is the largest in the JC Bordelet range of suspended designer fireplaces, first conceived by award-winning designer Jean- Claude Bordelet 40 years ago.

“I hadn’t seen anything like it before,” says Wendy. “It adds a definitive wow factor to the space and is always a talking point when someone new comes into our home. During this particularly cold winter we have experienced this year, it has been on every night and creates a beautiful ambience. Because the fire is enclosed and large in capacity it allows us to almost create a mini bonfire in our lounge room, and it creates a lovely heat.”

The Eva 992 is the largest in the JC Bordelet range of suspended designer fireplaces, first conceived by award-winning designer Jean-Claude Bordelet 40 years ago. Handmade in the South of France in limited quantities, these are true statement pieces that can be customised with a huge range of over 180 colour options. For Wendy, the exclusivity of the fireplace made it appealing for her bespoke designed and built house. “I can definitely see this fireplace being used in other high-end homes because it is so unique,” she says. “We chose a custom-made hearth in steel, rather than stone. For us this makes it look part of the fireplace and creates a more seamless look.”

For Wendy, the exclusivity of the fireplace made it appealing for her bespoke designed and built house.

It is not unusual for Sculpt to work alongside leading architects, builders and designers who, like Wendy, are creating their dream homes. Aside from JC Bordelet, the company also stocks Axis luxury steel fireboxes and pure cast iron Seguin wood fireplaces, which are often coveted by design professionals looking to create their own personality in a home. Forthcoming with technical advice and trade rebate opportunities, the company is able to help designers find solutions within the range of products available.

Comfort and warmth make a fireplace the natural heart of the home. As Wendy’s exemplifies, the considered forms of Sculpt’s range of designer fireplaces ensure they are also the focal point for the entire space.