Stone fireplace supplier J Rotherham has announced the winner of a competition to design a unique, contemporary fireplace.
The company, now in its fourth generation, wanted to move forward with technology and style without compromising its traditional craftsmanship, and so looked to budding British designers to think outside the normal parameters of fireplace design.
The company's British Design Competition was shortlisted down to 12 submissions that were then judged by commercial director Matt Rotherham and president of the Society of British Interior Design, Vanessa Brady OBE.
After considering design originality, commercial ability, finish, detail and artistry Pippa Hooker's Double Helix design was declared the winner. Now collaborating with J Rotherham, Ms Hooker will see her initial concept right through to completion, where it will become part of the new contemporary range. It will also be exhibited at the Hearth & Home Exhibition in June 2015.
Ms Hooker took her inspiration from a spiral staircase, incorporating two bronze corkscrew pillars in her design. She achieves design cohesion by finishing the internal slips in the same bronze which in turn, create a contrast with the Portland limestone.