Posted: February 2008

When the Seattle Home Show rolled into town last month, thousands of fabulous remodeling ideas rolled in right along with it. From hot tubs to hot products, the Home Show is sure to inspire today’s Savvi homeowner.

HomeSavvi wandered the aisles, searching for innovative items and new products. And with a 100 year history, TULIKIVI soapstone masonry heaters are anything but new, but they are innovative, beautiful and sure to light your fire. Although a masonry heater is similar to a fireplace or a wood-burning stove, it is so much more than that in terms of function, form, and environmental quality.

Their distinctive soapstone look, durable construction and super-functionality have made radiant heat TULIKIVI fireplaces an essential fixture in European homes. And today, more and more American homeowners are warming up to TULIKVI.

“There are over 200 models to choose from and any of them can be customized to fit your home,” says Marti Dell of Stonefire Design, a Washington-based distributor of these fireplaces originally from Finland. “You can personalize the front panels with an icon that is meaningful to you, such as a bird or family crest,” she continues.

From old world to contemporary, TULIKIVI fireplaces fit any interior – we can picture these fireplaces in your second, winter home or in a modern, urban loft. “They burn three times hotter than a wood fire but use two thirds less wood than American wood-burning stoves, meaning that they are environmentally friendly,” says Dell.

Family-Friendly Style

And while these fireplaces do burn hot, the solid soapstone is just warm to the touch, making it safe for children. “We’ve installed these in Northwest lodge-style homes as well as modern homes,” says Dell. And, gone are the days when you would only find a fireplace in the living room; today’s homeowners are putting these fireplaces in bedrooms and bathrooms. “People are installing towel racks on the soap stone and using the radiant heat as towel warmers,” Dell says.

More than Fireplaces

The TULIKIVI company also produces matching soapstone tile to complete the look of any bathroom or kitchen; they even make sinks that are not only extremely durable but undeniably distinct. And if you’re not sure what fire place, tile or sink style to choose, a TULIKIVI expert can help. “We can come to your home and recommend styles that would match your interior and heating needs,” says Dell.

With a price tag of $12,000 and up, these European fireplaces may not be for everyone. But if you’re looking for a design statement that’s sure to light your fire, you may want to check out TULIKIVI.