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WarmStone Fireplaces and Designs' new location has a colorful history. Ethnic food has been served, soft drinks bottled, clothes sold, people sheltered and more all within the same walls. here's the most interesting tidbit: the building was once an ice house. Apparently, ice blocks were cut from what is now Sacajewea Park's lagoon near the Yellowstone River. They were hauled by horse-drawn wagons, stored in the basement, and then, cut upstairs in what is now the Tulikivi showroom. today's next-door business, Crazy Mountain Cabinetry, once housed the rest of the story: horses and wagons that delivered the ice around town. The building's purpose has swung from one end of the thermometer to the other! WarmStone Fireplaces and Designs' new Tulikivi showroom expertly matches the simple radiant beauty of their soapstone masonry heaters. The warm, earthy colors of the original brick walls, the acid-etched and stained cement floors, the natural hues of the timber ram structure, and the brown over-stuffed leather chairs arranged comfortably beneath are all welcoming. The room perfectly reflects the mood that one is instantly propelled into when cozied up to a Tulikivi. I'm referring to the "ahhh" felling - made possible because of the delicious radiant heat emanating from one or more models of wood burning Tulikivi. Simply put, visiting WarmStone Fireplaces and Designs in Livingston, Montana is a pleasurable experience. I lingered.
Karen Reinhart of Paradise Valley, Montana, is a Yellowstone Park ranger, willow basket weaver, and freelance writer. |
The success of the showroom was due to the contribution of many creative people, mostly local or regional artisans. Like a home has many winsome attributes that contribute to the comfortable whole, WarmStone Fireplaces and Designs' soapstone stoves were just part of the offerings here. Beautiful hand-crafted lighting fixtures from Livingston's Fire Mountain Forge are illuminated there, ranging from artful wall sconces to hanging pendants and chandeliers. Widely-renowned local artist Robert Spannring's new oil paintings softly anchored the large room with beautiful Montana scenes. if you fall in love with one or more of them, for a price, you can hang them on your own wall. Do you enjoy the ambience of the showroom? Designer Catherine Lane of Catherine Lane Interiors in Livingston can do the same thing for your home. She conceived of the lovely wainscoting, the palate of colors and more. Hinmatons Hisler, Tektonics Design Group, helped choose the island finishes. Thor arnold of Thor Design in Bozeman gave Ron the idea of using a timber frame structure in the showroom. Architect Rann Haight in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho took his idea and conceived of a design that served to create an intimate atmosphere at Warmstone. Timberframer Adam Riley and Teton TimberFrame in Driggs, Idaho expertly executed Rann's idea. (Read more on Adam and his new tulikivi in this newsletter.) and last but not least, Joel Reinholtz of Crazy Mountain Cabinetry designed the attractive cabinets that house the kitchen appliances (purchased locally from Truex Furniture & Appliance), and the roll-along island.
President Ron Pihl co-owns the business with Jerry Jessen and Phil Bullard. Together, they work as a team to make your dream of owning a Tulikivi a reality. no under one roof, the jobs go more smoothly. Jerry is now the project manager. he handles the details of the installation and makes sure that everything is ready before masons and soapstone crates arrive at your door. Phil is an experienced masonry heater installer and heads the install. The business' new name reflects the addition of architectural designer Sean Johnston. Roxanne Thomas is WarmStone's new office employee; you will likely hear her pleasant voice when you call.