Houzz Logo Print
Photo of a modern patio in Grand Rapids with a fire feature.
John T. Unger, LLC
John T. Unger, LLC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars5 ReviewsView Profile

The Font O' Fire 30 inch Sculptural Firebowl

Modern Patio, Grand Rapids

The Font O' Fire is perhaps my most versatile firebowl, equally at home in a wide variety of settings from rural to urban, rustic to high modern. Cradled in this shallow form, flames burn close, in an intimate display. The Font O' Fire embodies grace and simplicity, inspired by ideals of design so central to human experience they recur throughout history. In the only surviving book on architecture from the classical era, Vitruvius insisted a structure embody three qualities— it must be solid, useful, beautiful. Almost 2000 years later, Alvar Aalto said "We should work for simple, good, undecorated things… but things which are in harmony with the human being." The Buddhist concept of wabi sabi teaches that attention to the simplest objects, natural or manmade, helps connect us to our real world and avoid stress, distraction and unnecessary thoughts. Wabi translates as rustic simplicity, freshness, or understated elegance and refers to quirks of construction which make each object unique. Sabi is the beauty or serenity seen in the patina and wear of daily use. This focus on natural, changing, unique objects allows us to find the most simple objects interesting, fascinating and beautiful. Frederic Chopin once said, "Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art." It is this simplicity that is the Font O' Fire's greatest strength.

This photo has no questions

Have a question about this photo? Ask our community.
What Houzz contributors are saying
Jo Simmons added this to Terraces Worth Toasting a Marshmallow In12 July 2015

Bag a bowlFire bowls are a compact and neat way to bring real flames to your outside space, and many smaller designs...

What Houzzers are commenting on
Andy Design Boy added this to Back Garden Ideas28 May 2023

Love the design