A view of the Gulf of Naples, a bold and uncompromising colour palette and a fireplace wall designed down to the last centimetre: the new look of this 110-square-metre flat stems from the combination of these three choices.
The refurbishment project, designed by Area Dieci Architettura, has transformed a fragmented layout (an oversized entrance hall, a long corridor, separate rooms) into a more open and personalised home. The owners, a young couple of doctors, wanted colourful, comfortable spaces suitable for entertaining friends and family.
A renovation centred on colour
The project encompassed the layout, the building services, bespoke furnishings and finishes. Blue, green and purple do more than simply characterise individual rooms: they mark the transitions and connect the different areas of the home. In the entrance hall, blue envelops the walls and ceiling; in the living area, the colour palette deepens, progressing to the sage green of the kitchen and the olive green of the fireplace wall. The parquet flooring provides a warm, neutral base, helping to tie the colours and materials together.
The fireplace wall: TV, storage and lighting
In the living room, which is 2.80 metres high, the design emphasises verticality through three elements: the entrance archway, the dichroic (and therefore iridescent) glass panel separating the kitchen, and the fireplace wall. The latter fulfils various requirements of the living area within a single composition.
The client’s request was to keep the TV area minimalist, without compromising on storage capacity or material quality. The solution is a horizontal sequence of bespoke chest-of-drawers units, within which our DRU Maestro 100 gas fireplace is fitted. Framing it is a full-height wall clad in green relief tiles, laid vertically: a densely patterned surface that highlights the large black glass panel of the hearth. The low cabinet, in a light shade, lightens the composition and visually extends the line of the fireplace.
The fire is part of a wall designed as a whole, not an isolated element.
The green frame sets off the fireplace and emphasises its verticality, whilst the storage units keep the lower part of the composition uncluttered.
Lighting is also an integral part of the design. Recessed tracks with adjustable spotlights allow the main features of the living room to be highlighted, whilst the pendant lights above the table and the peninsula create a more intimate atmosphere. The atmosphere changes throughout the day, but the fireplace wall remains one of the key elements that organise the room.
A gas fireplace for the contemporary living room
The DRU Maestro 100 is a one-metre-wide front-facing gas fireplace. In this flat, it becomes an integral part of the fitted wall unit and helps to make the living room feel more dynamic and layered, without disrupting the clean lines of the design.
But what makes this product unique? First and foremost, the natural flame effect, created by the Dynamic Flame Burner together with the ceramic logs, which perfectly mimic the visual appeal of real wood. Furthermore, thanks to Eco Wave technology, the intensity of the flame can be adjusted to suit the moment: more pronounced when greater warmth is desired, softer when the fireplace is primarily intended to enhance the atmosphere.
The anti-reflective Clear View Glass reduces glare and provides a clearer view of the fire. The interior linings and range of finishes also allow the fireplace to be adapted to the material scheme of the room, from the most minimalist wall to a more decorative design.
The control system is designed to suit modern lifestyles: the fireplace can be operated by remote control and, in the Eco Wave models, via an app as well. Compatibility with home automation systems allows it to be integrated into a coordinated management system for the home’s various elements, such as lighting and temperature.
In this project, the DRU Maestro 100 does more than simply heat the room. It becomes a focal point of the living area and complements a wall that combines function, storage and innovative use of materials.
Project details
Project: Area Dieci Architettura
Photography: Carlo Oriente
Production: Spazi Belli
Project coordination: Anastasia Leshchenko
