Understair's TV, Bio Ethanol Fire design idea's?

[danbox]

Hi Guys, I have this space in which I need to design and build a TV storage unit under the stairs, it needs to be modern contemporary design, the client has also now asked whether we could also fit a bio ethanol fire within the space? I think its going to be to tight as the TV is a 37" Sony Bravia 3D jobby. Has anyone ever installed one of these fires within a bespoke unit they have built?
Here are some photos of the space we have to play with...
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The stair boarding is coming off and being replaced with oak, a piece of oak pig's ear handrail is also being added to the top.
Also we have to build an oak cupboard around the consumer units to hide them and for some more storage underneath.
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Any ideas would be appreciated, also would be cool to see any similar projects that you guys have done for understair's TV storage.
Also I have been using this baby for a few months now and am very impressed with it.
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Cheers Dan.

 

[mwildt]

I think you may have to skip the ethanol fireplace. I have seen those that build in as a unit but I'd be worried about the heat rising under the stairs. Other units are the open style and those wouldn't work for sure. Must be some building regulations that most be followed like for a regular fireplace in terms of distance to combustible material side and top.

Hard to tell how much the tv will take in size other than 37 inch is big for that space. I'd take a pice of card board of the right size to get a visual idea and to see what space is left around it. Especially since you want it up in viewing height. Maybe some storage drawers below and cubby on the sides. Not sure if you will go full depth of the stairs or just out to the wall on the left.

Does the tv have to be on a pull out arm as to makin viewing from an angle possible ? Or will the unit be more sculpted ?

 

[danbox]

I haven't checked building regs but the bio ethanol fire is just basically a flame so it would have to be properly protected if built in.
It's just going to look too busy with the TV and fire in that space.
I think we're going to go for minimalist oak unit along the bottom with the TV sitting above, and to incorporate the fire I'm going to built an oak coffee table with fire built into this.