Greg Penn, Admirals House ex-Naval Georgian home, Stovax Studio Air
We catch up with Greg Penn aka Man with a Hammer – Sunday Times Bestselling Author and owner of the 30-room, 5-storey ex-Naval Georgian home known as Admirals House – on why he chose the Stovax Studio Air Freestanding wood burning stove for his new kitchen.
Greg Penn, Plymouth, Devon
December 5, 2024
Tell us a bit more about your home project and your style.
My home, called Admirals House, is an ex-Naval Georgian home, with 30 rooms set across 5 floors, built in 1804. This stove is set in the fireplace in the kitchen, which was once I believe the formal dining room. Originally the ‘main’ house (set across the top 4 floors) wouldn’t have had a kitchen, with all the services, provided by a large household staff, happening on the lower ground floor. The staff now are long gone, and the lower ground will one day be a separate holiday let, so the kitchen has been relocated to the ground floor. It’s a large room with tall ceilings, that is adjoined to the living room through some enormous double doors.
Why is it important for you to have a working fireplace in this room?
I absolutely adore my wood burning stoves… I also enjoy cooking and entertaining, which means spending a lot of time in the kitchen and there’s just nothing quite like a woodburning 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.
What is it about the Studio Air that makes it well suited to the space?
I love how minimal it is against the traditional backdrop providing a really interesting contrast. It’s also a great size which the fireplace and room needed, whilst only needing a 5 inch outlet, and a 5kw output. I didn’t want anything too powerful here as there’s an Aga in here too, albeit a converted one that doesn’t add too much heat to the room, and in the living room there’s a more powerful woodburner that does the heavy day to day lifting when it comes to the heat.
What’s your favourite thing about the fire?
The incredible, horizontal view of the flames and very effective airwash keeping such a big window remarkably clear.
What considerations did you need to make with regards to installing the fire?
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!
Any tips for other people renovating?
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… just take your time and think carefully about each decision. If you wake up not in the mood, take the day off – it’s a marathon not a sprint and it’s easy to start feeling resentful if you push too hard! If I’m allowed to give the book I’ve just written a little plug too, that’s full of honest tips and tales about the reality of renovating and I hope makes a good starting point for anyone thinking of giving it a go.
Greg’s book “Man with a Hammer: From forgotten wreck to forever home – an inspiring DIY transformation” is available on Amazon and all good bookshops.
Social Media: @manwithahammer
Please note that Stovax & Gazco accept no liability for their installation suitability, safety or building regulations conformance. The images shown on these pages are from real independent homes, many taken before installation is complete, and these form no basis of an installation recommendation by Stovax or Gazco. Please consult the complete installation instructions for your chosen product and consult with an appropriately qualified person for your own installation.
Studio Air 1 Freestanding Wood Burning Fires
The Stovax Studio Air 1 Freestanding wood burning fire offers the heating performance of the inset version, but with the presence of a standalone stove. With its built-in heat shield, the Studio Air 1 Freestanding provides significantly reduced minimum distance to combustibles, allowing greater scope for your installation aspirations and accommodating a wider range of ... Find out more
3 Sides Makes Sense
Matt, Devon
February 4, 2019
Excellent Stove!
Dan, Devon
February 4, 2019
“Perfection”
Carol, Devon
January 10, 2019
“Warmth and so convenient”
James, Buckinghamshire
January 10, 2019
“Bliss”
Neil & Anne, Holywell
January 9, 2019
“Winter warmer”
Emma, Llangollen
January 9, 2019
“One of the first items we chose for our home restoration”
Sean, Stokesley, North Yorkshire
January 9, 2019
“Enjoying our multi-fuel stove”
Bev & Charles, North Yorkshire
January 9, 2019
Cosy!”
Dawn, Yealmpton
December 15, 2018
“Picture perfect”
Marcus Giles, St Albans
December 14, 2018
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Stovax”
Steve Kidd, Telford
December 12, 2018
“A Pug Heaven”
Gordon, Lancaster
December 12, 2018
“Warm and toasty winter”
Nicola, Gloucester
October 24, 2018
“So warm and toasty!”
Sharon, Preston
August 8, 2018
“Looks great hot and cold”
Stewart, Hants
May 25, 2018
“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
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!”
Lizzie, Burgess
November 28, 2017
“Refurbished lounge”
Louise Talbot, Newport Shropshire
November 7, 2017
#CosyCarvings trick or treat.. ..can you feel the heat..
,
October 30, 2017
#CosyCarvings #Gazco #Pumpkin #Halloween
,
October 27, 2017
bubbsyching #cosycarvings
,
October 27, 2017
dmhicks18 Winter is coming 🔥 #stovax #blazing #pyromaniac
,
October 23, 2017
Someone’s happy the Burner is on 💗Milly #logburner #stovax #staffy
,
October 23, 2017
“Fabulous!”
Chris, Swindon
September 27, 2017
“Amazing, beats all our expectations”
Micheal, Rotherham
September 27, 2017
“A Living Log Fire without chopping logs”
Roger, Malvern
September 27, 2017
“Homemaker”
Sally, Teignmouth
September 27, 2017
“Contemporary”
Evelyn, Berwick-upon-Tweed
September 27, 2017
“A sheer delight”
Sally, Teignmouth
September 15, 2017
“Cosy and comforting”
Helen, Watford
September 13, 2017
“Even the Dog is Fooled!”
Marion Whitby, Whitby
August 23, 2017
“The dogs approve!”
Robert Elswood, Somerset
August 23, 2017
“Small but perfectly formed”
Dawn, Tyne & Wear
August 23, 2017
‘Worth Every ‘Cosy’ Penny!’
Gary Campbell, Dorchester
June 16, 2017
“Warm glow”
Eric Harrison, Minehead
June 6, 2017
“Transformed the room”
Graham and Joy, Plymouth
June 6, 2017
“Clean instant log burner alternative”
Mr and Mrs L, Southampton
June 2, 2017
“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”
Eric & Linda Bradley, Cotswolds
May 15, 2017
“A Delight!”
Chris Streets, Much Wenlock
May 15, 2017
“Even the duck loves the stove”
Niall, Everton
May 12, 2017
“So really pleased. Everyone makes nice comments.”
Dennis, Bremhill
May 10, 2017
“Delighted”
Barry, Lawford
May 10, 2017
“Great looking stove”
Kevin, Witney Oxon
May 9, 2017
“Heat and looks combined.”
John, Exmouth
May 9, 2017
“Our Home is Cosy Again”
Margaret Harrington, Co. Carlow, Ireland
May 8, 2017
“A Rosie Glow”
Elizabeth Howard, Hampshire
May 5, 2017
“Cosy cold nights”
Graeme Kitchen, UK
May 2, 2017
“Finally!”
Ian, Aberystwyth
April 10, 2017
“Great addition for our lounge”
Barry K Heath, Sandhurst, Berkshire
April 7, 2017
“Beautiful and Functional”
Wayne, Buckinghamshire
April 3, 2017
“Heart of the home”
Jude Bowler, Northwich
April 3, 2017
“It’s brought the room to life”
Stephen Wright, Denmead
April 3, 2017
“Warm and cozy gas fire”
Darrell, Devon
April 3, 2017
“A great heating investment”
Peter, Exmouth, Devon
April 3, 2017
“Brings warmth and cheer whenever lit”
Nick & Jane, Darwen, Lancashire
April 3, 2017
“Heart of the home”
Stuart, Stratford-upon-Avon
April 3, 2017
“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!”
Heather, Newtownabbey
March 31, 2017
“Comfy and cosy”
Di, Sandbach
March 31, 2017
“The Heart of the Home”
Alex, Ebford, Devon
March 30, 2017
“Perfect – wonderful and warm!”
Margaret, Shetland
February 27, 2017
“Fire looks amazing”
Karen,
February 24, 2017
“What A Difference a Day Makes”
Jean, Winlaton Tyne & Wear
February 24, 2017
“Approved by this family member!!”
Bob, Chris and Ollie, Northumberland
February 24, 2017
“Modern Ambience”
Hajra, Nuneaton
February 23, 2017
“Adds to the Artwork”
Brian, Middlesbrough
February 23, 2017
“New build”
Caryn Richardson, Lisburn
February 16, 2017
“Superb little dual fuel burner”
Jacqueline Curtis, Eye Suffolk
February 16, 2017
“Looks cool, feels warm”
Linda, Somerset
February 16, 2017
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”
Dave, West mids
January 25, 2017
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