In this Old Ottawa South living room, one feature dominated the space for all the wrong reasons. The original fireplace was too tall for the room, its size and style cluttering the atmosphere rather than anchoring it. Denys Builds Designs set out to bring simplicity and synergy back, lowering the height of the fireplace while increasing its width and depth so it sits seamlessly in its environment.

The new surround is the quiet star of the project: a decorative shell made from cradle to cradle acrylic that is infinitely recyclable and can be renewed with a few minutes of sanding if it ever scratches. Its light weight meant no extra framing was needed to support heavy material. As the gallery photos show, the wide, low profile in a soft neutral tone creates a calm focal point, styled with framed artwork on the mantel. Down lighting with soft fade dimmers integrated into the four corners of the room lets the homeowners set just the right mood, while energy saving dimmers keep the space efficient.

Completed in 2010, this project shows how a thoughtful home renovation can rebalance an entire room by rethinking a single element.