john t. unger studio

HGTV's Decked Out Features the King Isosceles Sculptural Firebowl

The King Isosceles Sculptural Firebowl is featured this week on Season 3, Episode 2 of Decked Out with Paul Lafrance from HGTV You can see a photo slideshow of the project here. The full episode is available to stream online here, but only if you're in Canada. The episode will be available in the US next season.

I haven't been able to see the episode myself yet, but I love what I can see from the photos. Here's the description of the project from Decked Out's site:

Paul and Ronit love their yard, but feel it is missing a deck. Their space has particular challenges including incorporating a beautifully landscaped pond and leaving enough green space for their playful pugs. They also want a deck that can be used for three seasons. Paul accepts the mission and builds three separate deck spaces including a breakfast bar with 700-pound glass top, a gorgeous metal fire feature, and a lounge area with hot tub that gives a perfect view of the pond.

I really enjoyed working with Rachel Burden, the Production Manager at Cutting Edge Designs to help make this project happen. She was kind enough to say some nice words on Twitter also:

@johntunger You beautiful fire bowl is on #deckedout tonight in Canada, can't wait for everyone to see it! You're a true artist.

— Rachael Burden (@RachaelBurden27) May 7, 2013

Fire Features and Fountains Add Amazing Light Effects to Montreal Pool

These photos of the King Isosceles Sculptural Firebowls were shot by Drew Hadley for a feature in Montreal Home Living last year. Several of the shots were used in the magazine, but I was so blown away by those that I contacted Drew to license the photos from the entire shoot. I'm so glad I did!

My firebowls are often used in pool settings and it's fairly frequent that a pool design will call for at least two firebowls to flank the pool, but this is one of the most interesting fountain concepts I've seen. Water flows between two glass plates to create a waterfall effect that seeming comes from thin air. The glass sheets are backlit so at night, the pool catches orange reflections from the fire and a cool blue reflecting from the fountain. Although I've seen harsh critiques of the prevalence of orange/blue color schemes to boost contrast in recent movies, I feel the complementing contrast of colors does wonders for reflected lighting!

This project was designed and built by Montreal designer Endrée Villeneuve of Vision enVert. Now that I've seen the entire collection of photos, this has become truly one of my favorite installations of my fire sculpture yet!

Font O' Fire Sculptural Firebowl in Santa Monica garden by Joseph Marek

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The Font O' Fire Sculptural Firebowl features as a social centerpiece in this Santa Monica garden patio designed by landscape architect Joseph Marek.

The warm rust patina of the firebowl nicely complements the color of the walls and the outdoor cushions of the day bed. I've worked with Joseph on several of his projects and I always love seeing how he integrates my work into his stellar designs. He has a great eye and provides lovely photos of his landscapes.

If you like this landscape design, check out the Pacific Palisades garden design Joseph created using a  Big Bowl O' Zen Sculptural Firebowl overlooking the ocean.

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Big Bowl O' Zen Sculptural Firebowl in Manchester Center, Vermont

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Gary in Manchester Center, VT, sent this great picture of his Big Bowl O' Zen Sculptural Firebowl and screen on a gorgeous bluestone patio. His email included the note:

The backyard Deathstar is almost complete...

I'd love to see another photo from further back, showing more of the patio and surroundings, but the firebowl looks very handsome on the stonework.

Big Bowl O' Zen Firebowl in Pacific Palisades garden design

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The Big Bowl O' Zen Sculptural Firebowl overlooks the ocean in this Pacific Palisades garden design by Joseph Marek. The simplicity of the Big Bowl O' Zen is a perfect match for this minimalist, modern design. The small square grass yard surround by stone terrace my favorite part of this design— a contrast of soft grass with cool, hard stone, a small oasis of of easily managed order surrounded by native and natural plantings. Although the space is relatively small, it's perfectly designed for outdoor living and entertaining.

If you like this landscape design, check out Joseph's Santa Monica garden patio featuring a Font O' Fire Sculptural Firebowl as a social centerpiece.

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King Isosceles Firebowls featured in Montreal Home Magazine

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This stunning project by Montreal designer Endrée Villeneuve of Vision enVert uses three King Isosceles Sculptural Firebowls to great effect. The firebowls flank a pool on stone pillars, with gorgeous waterfalls feeding into the pool to create a soothing soundscape. Built on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Notre Dame de I'lle Perrot, the home makes extensive use of outdoor space. Sliding glass doors open the lower level of the house to an outdoor kitchen and the pool area for entertaining, while various levels of terraces provide private retreats.

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It looks from the photos as though the water features are made from clear lucite that catches the light when viewed head on. The fountains are truly elegant, with the lucite shaping the stream of water while disappearing from view at a distance. This home is one of the best examples I've yet seen of combining fire and water features using a set of firebowls.

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This view from the upper terrace shows how the firebowls are also used to light the landscape in evening. Throughout the project, lighting was one of the designers primary concerns— lighting, windows and even wall and ceiling treatments were designed to minimize the barrier between indoors and outdoors. Another primary concern was preserving the environment and natural beauty of the site.

You can read the entire article online here.

Font O' Fire Firebowl in A rustic garden in Los Angeles, CA

LA isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think about a rustic back yard setting, but look at how the Font O Fire Firebowl and Adirondack chairs have transformed this space! A tree stump table, some pea gravel and a nice border of greenery bring a cosy feel to this yard.

Thanks for the photos, Oonagh!

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A King Isosceles Firebowl in Castle Rock, Colorado

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Doug in Castle Rock, Colorado was kind enough to send in these great photos of his King Isosceles Firebowl. The large stones and and gravel patio have a Zen garden feel. I really like the double ring of limestone pavers that define the patio space.

Thanks for the photos, Doug, and also for creating such a great space to showcase your King Isosceles!

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Waves O' Fire Firebowl on My Yard Goes Disney

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Usually the firebowls get to be on TV without me. I ship them to the set and only see the show much later. For the Surf's Up with the Greens episode of My Yard Goes Disney JayTV sent Rich Brauer out to the studio to film me making the firebowl.

For this episode, the HGTV design team creates a tropical theme for a surfing family inspired by Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa on the island of Oahu.Features of the landscape design include a pool and spray fountain, a custom backyard surf shop and tropical stump seating branded with the Hawaiin names for each family member.

The yard they transformed looks just awesome and the firebowl make a number of appearances through the show. The bit where I'm cutting the firebowl is about five minutes from the end of the show.

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Font O' Fire Firebowl in Ventura, California

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I love this modern, multi-level deck! The Font O' Fire Firebowl complements it very well. Note how closely the patina of the bowl matches the wooden deck. This space is set up nicely for entertaining or hanging out with friends and family. Glenn wrote:

just had the first BBQ in the back yard. Your firepit was a hit.

The deck design is by yours truly: Glenn Togawa for my home in Ventura, California. The construction of the decks was by Scott Construction Services out of Oxnard, California.

Thanks, Glenn, for these excellent photos!

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