Andirons may not top your design wishlist, but these modern iterations make a compelling case for why they should be. If you’re the custodian of a fireplace, remember: it’s off far more often than it’s alight. A well-designed set can make the hearth worth admiring, even when the fire isn’t burning.
For me, the 1969 steel design by French architect Jacques Quinet is exemplary—spare, architectural, impeccably made. But there’s no need to shop the past; today’s designers are forging new forms, refined in equal measure. Here are the designs we admire.
Above: Blackcreek Mercantile & Trading Co. in Kingston, New York craft the sculptural, solid-cast Andirons. Weighing about 45 pounds per piece, the generous size creates a thermal mass and form creates venting channels for better air circulation both underneath and behind a fire. Available in both iron and bronze starting at $2,500 for a set.
Above: Designed in Germany by Peter Maly, the Two-Piece Andirons in stainless steel Stainless Steel; $700 at International Design Forum.
Above: Designed by Marco Ferreri, the Ferro & Fuoco Andirons, are inspired by centuries-old blacksmithing and hand-forged in Italy from blackened steel; $360 at DWR.
Above: Founded in Stockholm and based in Paris, Eldvarm is a brand centered around fireplace tools. The Odo Andirons are designed by Charles Kalpakian in solid, blackened steel to withstand heat property while commanding graphic attention; $555 at Eldvarm.
Above: Designed by French architect Jean Michel Wilmotte for Belgium brand When Objects Work, the Window Andirons came about when Wilmotte became dissatisfied with the lack of modern andirons available. The pair is made of solid steel for $905 at Jan George.
Above: New York-based interior designer John Lyle makes the Robert Andirons, shown in Polished Bronze but also available in Polished White Bronze.
Above: From Pfunder Metalwerks, custom Andirons were inspired by a original design from Jacques Quinet and modernized in cold rolled steel with a blackened patina. Contact Pfunder Metalwerks for custom ordering.
Above: Another design from Scandi-French brand Eldvarm, the Cooper Andirons are inspired by vintage cast andirons with a modern, minimal adaptation. Made of stainless steel with solid brass details, the set is $675.
Above: Housed within a set of fireplace tools offered by Williams Sonoma, the Jackson Fireplace Andirons in Oiled Bronze are $350 for the set.
Above: A vintage piece, though worth noting, is the Wrought Iron Stylized Serpent Andirons available at Wyeth; $2,240.
Above: Another design from architect Jean Michel Wilmotte for When Objects Work, is the Firedog Set made of solid cast, laser cut steel and made with a sawtooth design that proves effective in circulating air around the fire; $4,640 for the set at Jan George.
Above: Another design from John Lyle, the Grant Andirons feature bold spherical finials available as Brown Bronze (shown), Polished Bronze, and Polished White Bronze.
For more hearth inspiration and tools, see our posts:
