The original fireplace was bulky and lacked identity. A pony wallbseparated the hearth from the stairs and an old TV cabinet was no longer functional. Choosing to open and simplify the space up meant the landing of the staircase would also be in plane with the fireplace hearth as a sculptural stone base that worked double time. The crosscut white travertine slab is complemented by an earthy red travertine tile surrounding the opening. Above, white oak panels clad the chimney and bring the eye upward to the double-height ceiling, Sunlight pours in from 14’ south-facing windows and dances along each material much like the flames in the fireplace do.