Project overview: fireplace in Billdal
This project in Billdal is a custom natural-stone fireplace with a gas firebox—built from the ground up to become a strong architectural focal point in a villa. When a fireplace is meant to be seen, it’s not enough to “wrap” a unit. The whole system must feel intentional: material, proportions, joint lines and finishing details need to work at both distance and close range.
In this article we explain how we approach a bespoke stone fireplace: from the first assessment and concept to the build-up and final finish. You’ll also see what makes masonry look genuinely professional—without turning the process into something complicated for the homeowner.
If you want a fireplace that feels integrated into the home rather than added later, this is exactly the kind of project we enjoy. That’s where material knowledge and detail-led craftsmanship make the difference.
The goal: a feature worth noticing
The brief was to create a fireplace that adds weight and character to the space—something that looks designed for the house. Natural stone can easily become too dominant or overly rustic if the proportions are off. That’s why we start with the room’s lines, sightlines and balance, shaping the overall form to feel calm and deliberate.
We also aimed for a surface that holds up visually over time. Stone has its own texture and variation, but what makes it feel modern is the control: how stones are placed, how the joints read, and how clean the edges are.
Many clients choose stone because it delivers depth that tiles can’t replicate. Our job is to guide that natural variation so it becomes lively yet still refined—a feature that feels timeless rather than trendy.
Natural stone—material choice and look
We used natural stone to achieve a robust, timeless expression. Stone is forgiving in one way—it can carry variation and life—but it is also unforgiving: poor rhythm, messy edges or inconsistent joints show immediately.
When we build in natural stone, we work with three principles:
- Intentional placement—each stone supports the overall composition.
- Controlled variation—size and colour shifts are balanced for a calm look.
- Joints as design—the joint pattern should enhance, not dominate.
In the Billdal project, stones were shaped and placed to create natural movement across the surface while keeping the overall form crisp. The result feels handcrafted—without looking chaotic.
Built from scratch—planning first
With a bespoke fireplace, planning is as important as the masonry itself. Before the first stone is set, the geometry, opening and key transitions must be clear. That’s what allows the build to be precise and the finishing to look clean.
We work backwards from what the eye notices most: the opening, the lines, the depth and how the fireplace meets floor and walls. Once that is defined, we can build the structure methodically and give the stonework the right “play” and texture.
In practice, it means establishing a stable base, clear geometry and an approach that keeps control over edges and joint lines. That’s also how you avoid the most common issues in custom fireplaces: crooked lines, uneven borders and a result that feels “added on” instead of integrated.
Joints, lines and balanced proportions
It’s easy to focus on the stones, but in masonry the joints and lines often define perceived quality. Even joints, clear edges and a consistent rhythm make the surface feel calm—especially when the stone itself varies.
For Billdal, the goal was a handcrafted surface that still reads clean and contemporary. We used a joint pattern that ties the wall together, and stone placement where larger stones carry the composition while smaller stones support without creating visual noise.
Proportions matter just as much. A fireplace can quickly feel heavy if the opening, height and width aren’t balanced. When everything is aligned, the result feels confident: it has presence, without overpowering the room.
How we worked: visit, setup, build
We want projects like this to be easy to commission, even if the work itself is advanced. That’s why we use a clear process where the client chooses the setup:
- Free on-site walkthrough—we assess the location, substrate and goal.
- You choose the setup—fixed quote or time-based when scope is hard to lock down.
- Execution—careful masonry with ongoing check-ins.
In Billdal, we started by defining how the fireplace should sit in the room and what the overall expression should be. From there, we could plan the geometry and execute step by step. Clear decisions early on are usually what makes the final result match the vision.
The result: warm, robust and timeless
The final result is a custom natural-stone fireplace that feels like part of the home’s architecture. It has weight and character, yet remains modern thanks to controlled form, clean edges and joints that unify the surface.
This is the kind of work we enjoy most: honest materials, visible craftsmanship, and a whole that feels inevitable rather than manufactured. A masonry fireplace should stand up to close inspection—looking good from the sofa, and just as good when you’re next to it, seeing every stone and every line.
If you want a feature that stands out without becoming a passing trend, natural stone and bespoke masonry is a strong choice. Done right, it becomes both timeless and personal.
Want something similar? Next steps
Like the Billdal look? The next step is simple: tell us what you want to build, where it should sit, and what feeling you’re after. Inspiration images or a rough idea of shape and material help us ask the right questions immediately.
We work across West Sweden with focus on Gothenburg, Kungsbacka and northern Halland. The goal is always the same: a solution that fits the home and holds up visually and practically over time.
A masonry fireplace is often the most used “detail” in a room. That’s why it’s worth doing properly from day one—with the right form, the right materials and the right finish.
