Gathering around a fire calls to something deep in us. Starry nights and flickering flames are an unbeatable combination. But an open campfire isn’t always possible or desirable in some locations.
Peter Briese of Muskoka BBQ and Outdoor Kitchen Centre fell in love with outdoor fire globes while on holiday with his wife, Jen, and as with other products he uses himself, he wants to share that passion with others.
Fire features and globes add ambience to any home or cottage property, with their artful hand-cut designs, often nodding to nature or reflecting the interests of a homeowner.
“We now have multiple fire features on our own property,” he says with a smile. “They are functional, and they are also aesthetically pleasing to look at.”
Muskoka BBQ works closely with a local fabricator who cuts the globes by hand. They are customizable in terms of size, and constructed from Corten steel, also known as weathering steel. This type of steel resists corrosion and when its left uncoated, a beautiful patina builds up over time. The patina itself adds a protective layer, and the colour changes from year to year.
“We appreciate working with a local craftsman,” says Peter. “That’s important to us, being a small business in Muskoka ourselves.”
The globes can be positioned to create gathering spaces, generating conversation with their detailed designs and cozy vibes. The Nature Globe design features forest themes, while the Orbit design is more geometric. Other designs feature loons and guitars.
During this past winter’s ice storm, Peter and Jen put their fire globes to good use, burning brush piles from fallen debris. Beautiful, functional, and built to last, these fire features last: these fire features are incredibly durable and hold up to the elements. As the name “weathering steel” suggests, weather actually adds to the beauty of the globes over time.
“They can also offer warmth, which not all fire features do,” Peter adds. When a hot summer day turns cool, these pleasing globes can take the chill off as guests mingle in the backyard or down by the lake.
Beautiful and practical: that’s the spirit of Muskoka right the
TEXT MARNIE WOODROW
PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
