Finding the right fire
Throw out all your assumptions about a fireplace studio because the new Stoke Fireplace Studio in Christchurch sets the bar high.
It is hard to miss at 95 Byron Street in Sydenham, adjoining Simply Heat. Its outdoor range of fireplaces guides visitors towards the entrance alongside sleek black ‘Stoke’ signage.
Once inside, customers are greeted by an ambient gallery-style showroom featuring modern, New Zealand-made and globally curated fireplaces – gas, electric, and ultra-low-emission woodfires – from brands Escea, Mode, Spartherm, Ambe, and Maxen Fireplaces. A large, lit wood burner keeps the studio warm.
Taking over half of the Simply Heat showroom, the renovation of this side of the store to become a Stoke gallery took around six weeks to complete and opened in May this year.
Stoke is part of the Dunedin-based Escea group, and Christchurch now joins showrooms in Queenstown, Auckland, Wellington, and Adelaide, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Owner Mick Kain says, “We’ve always been a heating business under Simply Heat, but the appeal of the Stoke brand was about having a high-end showroom with all types of fire under one roof.”
“We’re lucky to have this in Christchurch. It’s pretty unique. There is no other place in Christchurch where you can see such a range of premium heating products on display.”
Mick says the comfortable and inviting new space encourages prospective new home builders, architects, designers, and renovators to take their time meandering around the contemporary showroom, set out with fireplaces arranged in situ. He mentions the team is also on hand to offer expert advice.
“We’re here to chat with you about what is best for your build or renovation, and each of these has its place in different applications.”
The Christchurch Stoke Fireplace Studio team consists of owner Mick and salespeople Anthony Romano, Georgina Waring, and Paul Stewart, and resident studio dog Frank the Bordoodle.
A quote on the wall reads, “Fire was tamed by our ancestors around one million years ago. The fire was where they gathered, talked, and told stories. At Stoke, we bring you the most evolved fireplaces from around the world. Fire is still where we gather and share the warmth of a good story.” Mick says that this global product range fits all tastes, needs, and budgets.
“The range has something for first-home buyers through to someone building an architectural home.”
From corner to double-sided, zero clearance to direct vent, the Stoke Fireplace Studio offers a wide range of options to suit every taste and space. There are the high-end architectural Mode fireplaces through to the more modest freestanding Maxens.
Paul adds that the team is well-versed in the requirements for each fire.
“We like to take the opportunity to give the client all they need to make sure they’re making the right choice for their space.”
With expert advice, product knowledge, and premium fireplaces on display, it seems the recipe is right at the Christchurch Stoke Fireplaces Studio. Their sister company, Simply Heat, under the same roof as Stoke, also has a full showroom with a working ducted heat pump and other heating solutions.