Minimalist chimney breast ยท Sutton Coldfield
A Stovax Huntingdon 30 in a minimalist fireplace
A Sutton Coldfield installation pairing a Stovax Huntingdon 30 woodburning stove with a tall, narrow chamber and full-width Antique Leather granite hearth.
Sutton Coldfield
The project
Sutton Coldfield is an affluent royal town, and suburban area located roughly 7 miles northeast of Birmingham city centre and 9miles from our woodburning stove showroom here in Lichfield.
Matching the right stove to Sutton Coldfield's varied property styles is key to getting both the aesthetic and the heating performance right:
Victorian & Edwardian Homes (Wylde Green, Town Centre): Classic cast-iron log burners like the Stovax Huntingdon 30 or Stovax Chesterfield fit naturally into original brick fireplaces, preserving character while offering modern Ecodesign efficiency.
1930s Semi-Detached Houses (Boldmere, Walmley): Mid-sized 5kW stoves, such as the Hunter Isca 5 or Heta 45, work brilliantly in standard builder's openings, delivering optimal warmth without overpowering typical suburban living rooms.
Modern Developments & Executive Builds (Four Oaks, Little Aston): Sleek, cylindrical, or wide-aspect contemporary stoves (like the Contura 800 & 900 series or Heta Freestanding stoves) pair well with open-plan layouts, media walls, or floor-to-ceiling glass extensions.
Since all of Sutton Coldfield falls under Smoke Control Area regulations, installing DEFRA-exempt and Ecodesign-compliant appliances ensures legal, eco-friendly burning across the entire town.
Before and after
The transformation
The original tiled fireplace before the Sutton Coldfield installationStovax Huntingdon 30 woodburning stove within a tall minimalist chamber and full-width black granite hearth in Sutton Coldfield
The work
What we did
Stovax Huntingdon 30
The Stovax Huntingdon 30 is a classic cast-iron log burner that blends traditional Gothic-inspired styling with modern combustion technology. Delivering a nominal heat output of 5kW (with a range of 3.5kW to 7.5kW), it is sized to warm medium-sized living spaces while offering an efficiency rating of up to 82.7% (A+ energy rating).
Built with an advanced convector heating system, the stove distributes heat into the room and allows for reduced clearance to combustible materials, making installation versatile even on a 12mm hearth. It features an airwash system to keep the glass viewing window clear of soot, a removable handle for a cleaner appearance when not in use, and options for either a clear door or a decorative tracery door frame. Crucially, the Huntingdon 30 is Ecodesign Ready and DEFRA exempt, allowing it to be burned legally in smoke control areas throughout the UK.
Design and Installation
This minimalist approach creates a striking balance between grand proportions and clean, modern styling. By stripping away traditional focal points like a timber beam or ornate surround, the design lets the architectural lines and materials do the heavy lifting:
Taller, Narrow Opening: Exaggerating the vertical axis naturally draws the eye upward, celebrating the room's high ceiling and giving the stove a commanding, gallery-style presence within the chimney breast.
Full-Width Antique Leather Granite Hearth: Extending the hearth edge-to-edge across the base of the breast Grounds the feature visually. The "antique leather" matte black finish introduces a subtle tactile texture that absorbs light rather than reflecting it, perfectly complementing a understated aesthetic.
450mm Depth: Providing a generous 450mm projection creates a solid, practical footprint that safely meets distance-to-combustibles requirements while adding to the hearth's substantial, built-in presence.
A stripped-back install like this one leave zero room to hide flaws. Executing sharp, crisp plaster lines around a tall chamber opening requires meticulous masonry, fire boarding, and plastering.
Questions about this kind of job
Asked and answered
Which stove was used for this Sutton Coldfield installation?
The project uses a Stovax Huntingdon 30 woodburning stove with a 5kW nominal output.
Which hearth and chamber finishes were used?
The recorded installation combines a full-width dark slate hearth with a matching chamber base and a paintable Firecase non-combustible stove chamber.
What gives the fireplace its minimalist appearance?
The tall, narrow opening and full-width black granite hearth create the focal point without a timber beam or ornate surround.
Which chimney components are recorded?
The specification lists vitreous flue pipe, a steel closure plate and adaptor, a 316-grade Triple Lock British flexible stainless steel chimney liner, and an anti-downdraught cowl.
Explore stove and fireplace installation in Sutton Coldfield →
Registration check
Verify Our HETAS Details Before Booking
When booking your stove installation with The Fireplace & Stove Co (TFS) or any installer, verifying registration details through the official HETAS directory ensures your project is fully compliant:
- Verify Business & Installer Status: Search the official HETAS online register to confirm that both the business and the individual attending engineer hold active, current registrations.
- Check Work Categories: Ensure the installer is specifically registered for your required work type (e.g., dry solid fuel appliance installation, internal twin-wall flue systems, or flexible chimney relining).
- Confirm Building Control Route: Work completed by a HETAS-registered competent person allows for self-certification under Building Regulations, saving you the time and expense of applying directly to your local council's Building Control department. If any part of the project falls outside their registered scope, a separate Building Control application must be arranged before work begins.
Home-survey enquiry
Services & Coverage
- Free Home Survey: Homeowners can call 07828 576002 with their postcode and project outline to check availability, discuss technical requirements, and arrange an initial site visit.
- HETAS Certification: TFS solid-fuel installations are HETAS registered. Clients should verify the current business status, individual installer, and registered work categories on the official HETAS registry prior to booking.
- Service Area: Published installation coverage includes Lichfield, Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Cannock, Walsall, Aldridge, Solihull, Wolverhampton, Burton upon Trent, Stafford, and Derby (all subject to postcode confirmation).
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