Greg and Georgie, Grand Designs, Stovax Studio 3

After featuring on Grand Designs, we caught up with Greg and Georgie about how they found it and why the Stovax Studio 3 Freestanding fits so perfectly in their rustic barn conversion.

Greg and Georgie Whitaker, Near Sevenoaks, Kent.
March 25, 2021

Tell us a bit more about your home project.

We set out at the beginning of 2019, to convert a redundant barn in the back of Georgie’s parents garden. At the same time we applied to the Grand Designs TV show, on the off chance they might like to follow our build and so we could tell our story of how surviving brain tumours and cancer had brought us together. (Watch on Channel 4, Season 21, Episode 2) We also wanted to give others hope.

We were both “self build” novices at the beginning, not to mention never been filmed for TV before. But as we quickly slipped into our roles, as project manager, I could use a lot of my skills from managing the pub and relate them into the building side of things.

“You don’t want to run out of beer in a pub, likewise you don’t want to run short of tin for a roof” both will cost you dearly and delay proceedings.

The filming was a new dynamic for everyone, when Kevin was onsite all noisy work had to stop and not a lot of work got done on these days. Although we were taken out for substantial lunches before Covid arrived.

Covid was a tough time and I applied the same rule as beer at the pub and stockpiled materials to get us through the first lockdown and continuing on our own. With the pub being closed I could drop full-time onto the build project.

We knew before we had even started designing the barn that a real fire was a must have feature for our forever home.
As the designs emerged and the vast open plan double hight living area emerged on paper, we realised that everything we were going to put in our new home needed to be big, 1.4 meters wide kind of big!

What fire have you had installed?

We chose a Stovax wood burning stove over a conventional fireplace for several reasons. Mainly because of the high cost of installing a solid chimney, the ease of install, heat control/energy efficiency and how stylish the Stovax Studio 3 looked.

We realised quite early on that we need a stove with a high KW output to really heat a space like ours. I really wanted to reduce our heating costs and with the abundance of wood off the farm and extra insulation hoped we wouldn’t need to run our underfloor heating too much in the winter months.

We have not been disappointed. Before we had the underfloor heating working we were reliant on this 12Kw studio 3 to heat the entire building for a month or so, some nights getting down to minus 5, yet we were toasty and warm. The building would retain heat for 24 hours or more as we had installed extra insulation all round.

What drew you to a Stovax & Gazco product?

The look caught our eye immediately when we were picking the stove. We wanted a modern/industrial look with clean lines and a big viewing screen to be the main focal point in our living room. The Stovax Studio 3 had to be the one and we both fell in love with it after trawling through online internet sites for our dream stove.

I decided to have a go at pouring a board marked concrete fire surround and reinforced concrete bench to sit the stove on. The project was an experiment for many ideas that we wanted to try out and thankfully they came out well.

What’s your favourite spot of your finished home?

We love standing on the balcony in the evening overlooking the main living area taking in the space, your eyes being drawn to the glow of the fire just before bed.

Retailer Name: The Barn – Fires and More
Social Media: @greg_and_georgie

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Greg and Georgie Whitaker's Product

Studio 3 Freestanding Wood Burning Stove

The largest in Stovax’s Studio range is the striking Studio 3 Freestanding Ecodesign wood burning stove. This highly efficient and visually impressive wood burning stove has the same 12.6kW of heat output and stunning widescreen views of the flames as its inset fire equivalent but offers a very different look. Designed to be sited on ... Find out more

 Full Studio 3 Freestanding details
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3 Sides Makes Sense

 Matt, Devon
 February 4, 2019

Excellent Stove!

 Dan, Devon
 February 4, 2019

“Perfection”

“Perfection”

 Carol, Devon
 January 10, 2019

“Warmth and so convenient”

 James, Buckinghamshire
 January 10, 2019

“Bliss”

“Bliss”

 Neil & Anne, Holywell
 January 9, 2019

“Winter warmer”

“Winter warmer”

 Emma, Llangollen
 January 9, 2019

“One of the first items we chose for our home restoration”

“One of the first items we chose for our home restoration”

 Sean, Stokesley, North Yorkshire
 January 9, 2019

“Enjoying our multi-fuel stove”

“Enjoying our multi-fuel stove”

 Bev & Charles, North Yorkshire
 January 9, 2019

Cosy!”

Cosy!”

 Dawn, Yealmpton
 December 15, 2018

“Picture perfect”

“Picture perfect”

 Marcus Giles, St Albans
 December 14, 2018

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Stovax”

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Stovax”

 Steve Kidd, Telford
 December 12, 2018

“A Pug Heaven”

“A Pug Heaven”

 Gordon, Lancaster
 December 12, 2018

“Warm and toasty winter”

“Warm and toasty winter”

 Nicola, Gloucester
 October 24, 2018

“So warm and toasty!”

“So warm and toasty!”

 Sharon, Preston
 August 8, 2018

“Looks great hot and cold”

“Looks great hot and cold”

 Stewart, Hants
 May 25, 2018

“Wonderful Xmas evening by our new fireplace”

“Wonderful Xmas evening by our new fireplace”

 Richard, Coventry
 May 5, 2018

Thanks for all the sofa love on yesterday’s post! 💕 I was a bit nervous about its arrival as we had ordered it online without ever seeing it but I just love it and it’s really nice to have a bit of colour for once! I also bought some lovely old lights from @rosiebuddecorative which you can just see in the mirror, they’re now wired up and working ✨✨ i do love this little room! I’m off to Work today but I’d really like to stay at home as I’m feeling really behind on the Christmas front! 🎄Have a lovely Wednesday 😀#stovax #festivefireside

foundandfavour

Perfect Sunday night in with my fave @aaronm01 . . . . . . #camembert #sundaynight #stovax #fireplace #interiordesign #christmastree #christmasdecor #cottagestyle #myhome #realchristmastree #bakedcamembert #yummy #getinmybelly #perfectnight #withmyfave #cottagedecor #christmascottage #christmasstocking #cheeseislife #meltedcheese #logburner #christmasgarland #festivefireside

staceysyerclarke

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Has anyone else got their tree up? 🎄🔥

alfordfirewood

Here is ours! #FestiveFireplace

@okaydonkey Follow Follow @okaydonkey More

My #festivefireside

Emma Fanthom‎

A very happy Heatland Stoves customer feeling #festivefireside and we love this @stovaxgazco Huntington 35 with gothic doors #heatlandstovesltd #stove #festive #Christmas #xmas #decor #homedecor #northeast #stovaxgazco

heatlandstovesltd

Happy Christmas!! @stovaxgazco 🎄❤️🔥 #stovaxgazco #festivefireside competition #letitsnow #stovaxstudio1

sandylou74

#FestiveFireside

Emma Thomas Pitcher‎

#FestiveFireside

John Yates‎

#festivefireside

@JOACKO1968

#festivefireside

katiewatiewoo

#festivefireside our Christmas fireside, thanks for the new fire x

‎Rose Dalton

#festivefireside

macfarlanedona

Dad felt left out after hearing about the competition so here is his #festivefireside with his Huntingdon 40 gas stove 🔥

ceri_ae

@StovaxGazco I love this time of year, love my fireplace it’s so cosy 🎄🎅🏻😍 #FestiveFireside.

@flickabella1

@stovaxgazco #festivefireside competition #gazco #huntigdon30 🔥🎄🎅🏽 would love to win the festive hamper 😍

ceri_ae

Merry Xmas only way to spend a Scottish winter x

William Hunter
“Bertie’s favourite spot!”

“Bertie’s favourite spot!”

 Lizzie, Burgess
 November 28, 2017

“Refurbished lounge”

“Refurbished lounge”

 Louise Talbot, Newport Shropshire
 November 7, 2017

bubbsyching #cosycarvings

bubbsyching #cosycarvings

 ,
 October 27, 2017

“Fabulous!”

“Fabulous!”

 Chris, Swindon
 September 27, 2017

“Amazing, beats all our expectations”

“Amazing, beats all our expectations”

 Micheal, Rotherham
 September 27, 2017

“A Living Log Fire without chopping logs”

“A Living Log Fire without chopping logs”

 Roger, Malvern
 September 27, 2017

“Homemaker”

“Homemaker”

 Sally, Teignmouth
 September 27, 2017

“Contemporary”

“Contemporary”

 Evelyn, Berwick-upon-Tweed
 September 27, 2017

“A sheer delight”

“A sheer delight”

 Sally, Teignmouth
 September 15, 2017

“Cosy and comforting”

“Cosy and comforting”

 Helen, Watford
 September 13, 2017

“Even the Dog is Fooled!”

“Even the Dog is Fooled!”

 Marion Whitby, Whitby
 August 23, 2017

“The dogs approve!”

“The dogs approve!”

 Robert Elswood, Somerset
 August 23, 2017

“Small but perfectly formed”

“Small but perfectly formed”

 Dawn, Tyne & Wear
 August 23, 2017

‘Worth Every ‘Cosy’ Penny!’

 Gary Campbell, Dorchester
 June 16, 2017

“Warm glow”

“Warm glow”

 Eric Harrison, Minehead
 June 6, 2017

“Transformed the room”

“Transformed the room”

 Graham and Joy, Plymouth
 June 6, 2017

“Clean instant log burner alternative”

“Clean instant log burner alternative”

 Mr and Mrs L, Southampton
 June 2, 2017

“Stovax still looks good in the summer”

“Stovax still looks good in the summer”

 Paul Green, Coventry
 May 15, 2017

“Lovely Gas Fires”

 John & Margaret, Keighley
 May 15, 2017

“Enhances and warms the room”

“Enhances and warms the room”

 Eric & Linda Bradley, Cotswolds
 May 15, 2017

“A Delight!”

 Chris Streets, Much Wenlock
 May 15, 2017

“Even the duck loves the stove”

“Even the duck loves the stove”

 Niall, Everton
 May 12, 2017

“Delighted”

 Barry, Lawford
 May 10, 2017

“Great looking stove”

 Kevin, Witney Oxon
 May 9, 2017

“Heat and looks combined.”

“Heat and looks combined.”

 John, Exmouth
 May 9, 2017

“Our Home is Cosy Again”

“Our Home is Cosy Again”

 Margaret Harrington, Co. Carlow, Ireland
 May 8, 2017

“A Rosie Glow”

“A Rosie Glow”

 Elizabeth Howard, Hampshire
 May 5, 2017

“Cosy cold nights”

“Cosy cold nights”

 Graeme Kitchen, UK
 May 2, 2017

“Finally!”

“Finally!”

 Ian, Aberystwyth
 April 10, 2017

“Great addition for our lounge”

“Great addition for our lounge”

 Barry K Heath, Sandhurst, Berkshire
 April 7, 2017

“Beautiful and Functional”

“Beautiful and Functional”

 Wayne, Buckinghamshire
 April 3, 2017

“Heart of the home”

“Heart of the home”

 Jude Bowler, Northwich
 April 3, 2017

“It’s brought the room to life”

“It’s brought the room to life”

 Stephen Wright, Denmead
 April 3, 2017

“Warm and cozy gas fire”

“Warm and cozy gas fire”

 Darrell, Devon
 April 3, 2017

“A great heating investment”

“A great heating investment”

 Peter, Exmouth, Devon
 April 3, 2017

“Brings warmth and cheer whenever lit”

“Brings warmth and cheer whenever lit”

 Nick & Jane, Darwen, Lancashire
 April 3, 2017

“Heart of the home”

“Heart of the home”

 Stuart, Stratford-upon-Avon
 April 3, 2017

“A great stove, great heat, great looks”

“A great stove, great heat, great looks”

 Lesley, Fort William
 March 31, 2017

“Provides a wonderful focal point”

 Glyn, Cowbridge
 March 31, 2017

“Oscar seems to like the new fire!”

“Oscar seems to like the new fire!”

 Heather, Newtownabbey
 March 31, 2017

“Comfy and cosy”

“Comfy and cosy”

 Di, Sandbach
 March 31, 2017

“The Heart of the Home”

“The Heart of the Home”

 Alex, Ebford, Devon
 March 30, 2017

“Perfect – wonderful and warm!”

“Perfect – wonderful and warm!”

 Margaret, Shetland
 February 27, 2017

“Fire looks amazing”

“Fire looks amazing”

 Karen,
 February 24, 2017

“What A Difference a Day Makes”

“What A Difference a Day Makes”

 Jean, Winlaton Tyne & Wear
 February 24, 2017

“Approved by this family member!!”

“Approved by this family member!!”

 Bob, Chris and Ollie, Northumberland
 February 24, 2017

“Modern Ambience”

“Modern Ambience”

 Hajra, Nuneaton
 February 23, 2017

“Adds to the Artwork”

“Adds to the Artwork”

 Brian, Middlesbrough
 February 23, 2017

“New build”

“New build”

 Caryn Richardson, Lisburn
 February 16, 2017

“Superb little dual fuel burner”

“Superb little dual fuel burner”

 Jacqueline Curtis, Eye Suffolk
 February 16, 2017

“Looks cool, feels warm”

“Looks cool, feels warm”

 Linda, Somerset
 February 16, 2017

Stylish, Neat and Warming

Stylish, Neat and Warming

 Graeme, Ashington, West Sussex
 February 9, 2017

“Comfortable & Efficient”

 John, Buckinghamshire
 January 26, 2017

“Wish I had done it years ago”

 Colin,
 January 25, 2017

“Looks great”

“Looks great”

 Dave, West mids
 January 25, 2017