Step inside Admirals House with Greg Penn, the man behind Man with a Hammer, as he shares the story of his remarkable Georgian renovation and why Stovax wood burning stoves became the heart of his home.
Greg Penn, Sunday Times bestselling author and the man behind Man with a Hammer, has become known for his ambitious renovation of Admirals House – a striking 30-room ex-naval property dating back to 1804. With five floors of history to restore, every design decision has been carefully considered to balance period Georgian charm with modern functionality.
Having worked with Greg for several years supporting what started as a passion project, we had the pleasure of visiting the property. Admirals House is full of character and grandeur, and features three Stovax wood burning stoves to help to heat the property.
We started by being shown around the downstairs floor, where a spacious open-plan kitchen-dining-living space impresses with its beautiful features and tasteful design – all of which nod at Georgian living. Telling us about his Stovax Studio Air 1 Freestanding wood burning stove, Greg explains “the stove is set in the fireplace in the kitchen, which was once I believe the formal dining room. It’s a large room with tall ceilings, that is adjoined to the living room through some enormous double doors.”
When it came to choosing the right stove for the heart of his home, Greg knew that authenticity and atmosphere were key – but with such a diverse space to heat, he needed to find the right products that would work within the room’s needs, while balancing his lifestyle requirements. Discussing the Studio Air, he says “it’s […] a great size which the fireplace and room needed, whilst only needing a 5-inch outlet, and a 5kW output. In the living room there’s a more powerful wood burner that does the heavy day to day lifting when it comes to the heat.”
The Stovax Studio Air Freestanding wood burning stove is celebrated for its clean, architectural lines and high efficiency. Perfectly balancing form and function, it offers wide-format flame visuals framed by a minimalist aesthetic, making it equally at home in traditional and contemporary interiors. “I love how minimal it is against the traditional backdrop providing a really interesting contrast,” says Greg. “I love the incredible, horizontal view of the flames and very effective Airwash, keeping such a big window remarkably clear.”
Designed with state-of-the-art combustion systems, the Studio Air burns to meet Ecodesign standards, lowering emissions, and making it a future-proof choice for modern living. “I added an external air kit that improves the efficiency, whilst also allowing for an externally vented extractor fan without having any impact on the stove. A bench was made to fit it exactly too, lifting it off the ground to be the perfect height for the fireplace!”
A stylish steel bench, the Stovax Bench 81 High, is ideal for elevating the Studio Air 1 Freestanding wood burner, offering a well-proportioned solution to raising the stove, while creating a visually balanced and practical fit.
In the living space, a Dovre Vintage wood burning stove – also available from the Stovax Heating Group – sits within an inglenook, while upstairs a Stovax Huntingdon 40 wood burning stove brings ample heat to a snug. Blending timeless craftsmanship with modern efficiency, the Stovax Huntingdon 40 is a standout choice with traditional elegance and powerful performance. Its classic cast iron detailing and refined design give it a truly enduring appeal – it’s clear to see why this was one of Greg’s choices. Behind the heritage-inspired façade lies a state-of-the-art convector combustion system, reducing clearance requirements while delivering exceptional heat output. While Greg has chosen the tracery door styling, a clear door style is also available, both showcasing a wide viewing window for magnificent flame visuals.
“I absolutely adore my wood burning stoves,” he says. “I also enjoy cooking and entertaining, which means spending a lot of time in the kitchen and there’s just nothing quite like a wood burning stove to add character and life to a room (and not to mention the warmth!), whilst being far cleaner, and more efficient that the open fire that would once have burned in here.”
As someone who has poured his heart into restoring Admirals House, Greg has plenty of advice for anyone considering their own renovation. “Don’t do it! Ha, only joking… I absolutely love it. It’s hard work and you’ll need to get used to being cold, dusty and poor! But it’s hugely rewarding…”
For those looking for more inspiration, Greg’s book, Man with a Hammer: From Forgotten Wreck to Forever Home, is packed with honest tips and stories from his renovation journey. “I hope it makes a good starting point for anyone thinking of giving it a go.”
Posted by Annabelle Carvell on August 1, 2025
What’s the difference between Studio and Studio Air wood burning fires?
Accessorise your wood burning stove with a steel bench!
How to Update Your Fireplace in a Period Property
Ecodesign vs DEFRA Exempt – what does it mean?
Sign up to our newsletter and receive the latest news and updates, including product launches, offers and promotions, exclusive giveaways and competitions, as well as seasonal tips and advice.
Subscribe Now!
Leave a Reply