Casual Living Magazine, July 2012
“John T. Unger Debuts FlatPack Architectural Fire Feature.” Casual Living 3 July 2012: Print.
“John T. Unger Debuts FlatPack Architectural Fire Feature.” Casual Living 3 July 2012: Print.
John in Mississauga, Ontario just sent in some gorgeous photos of his Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit. The nighttime photo above even shows a flame that looks much like the signature Phoenix carved into every flame design fire pit I create. John also shared the details of how he set up the fire pit […]
Last year, Chris Guillebeau asked me to make an Olympic style torch that would travel cross country with Adam Baker to be lit at the opening ceremony of the inaugural World Domination Summit. I loved the idea, and the traveling torch was a great success. Here’s Adam lighting the torch at the opening ceremony: I […]
Seaworld San Antonio’s new Aquatica Waterpark rented two of my Waves Sculptural Fire Pits for their VIP Grand Opening. The fire pits are a temporary installation just for the Grand Opening, but there is a strong possibility that I’ll be doing some custom stingray themed fire pits for the Aquatica later in the year. The […]
Lori in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan just sent me the above photo of her Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit with a note: We love our new fire pit and thought you might like a photo. You do beautiful work! I love the way this installation turned out. I made the base a little shorter than […]
Every now and then, I get a request for a Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit without the signature phoenix. I’ve always turned those requests down because I feel that the phoenix is such an important part of the design— it not only relates to fire, but signifies the rebirth of scrap metal into […]
A fire pit is the most essential part of any rustic campsite— it doesn’t need to be fancy, but as the center of social activities it must be pleasing to the eye. That’s why Michael in Olivette, MO chose the Big Bowl O’ Zen 37 inch Sculptural Firebowl™ when he built a gathering spot at his home in the forest.
With Diamond Head and sunsets over the Pacific Ocean behind them, the eight Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pits at Rumfire Waikiki manage to hold their own visually. Since 2008, these fire features have contributed the the restaurant and bar’s chic atmosphere, bringing tropical flair to a space already deeply infused. From the dining room, […]
On the drive down to SXSW this year we decided to take a few days extra and enjoy the trip, stopping to photograph some of the more awesome fire pit installations that were (sort of) on the way. The first stop was Nada, a stylish purveyor of “ingredient driven, contemporary Mexican cuisine.” The reviews […]
Four King Isosceles Sculptural Fire Pits graced the roof line of Cafe Adobe in Houston, TX. At each end of the front facade, a fire pit lit the building and two were installed above the central dining patio above a stone fireplace. I wish it had been a sunnier day when I visited to take […]
Guillebeau, Chris. The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future. Crown Pub, 2012. Print.
MacLeod, Hugh. Freedom Is Blogging in Your Underwear. New York: Portfolio, 2012. Print.
“South African Cave DMCV-905H.” Man Caves. DIY. 23 March 2012. Television.
“Get Out! The Backyard Can Be Quite Luxurious.” Broward Design, Boca Design, Gold Coast, Fort Lauderdale Magazine, Boca Life Feb. 2012: 26. Print and digital. Miami Design, Palm Beacher. Digital only.
Kleon, Austin. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
About a year ago, I shipped my first Sculptural Firebowl to Australia, a Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit for a log home in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. Craig just sent me some photos of the fire pit, now that they’ve finished their landscaping. I like the rough log pavilion for what […]
“Perfect for the Patio.” Garden Center Magazine Feb. 2012: 46. Print.
The largest fire pit I’ve done to date is the 53 inch diameter Meridian Sculptural Fire Pit installed on the 6th floor pool deck at Allure Waikiki. I absolutely love the above photo by Eric Staudenmaier and how it captures the glow of the fire on the teak deck. If Eric were based in Hawaii […]
Crews, Nichole. “New Flames.” Casual Living Feb. 2012: 14. Print.
“Beer Garden Cave” Man Caves. DIY. 10 Feb. 2012. Television.
This photo of the King Isosceles Sculptural Fire Pit at WaterWalk Place in Wichita is stunning! Chris did a great job of shooting a night photo that still gives a sense of the landscape around the firebowl. WaterWalk Place is a multi-use destination on the banks of the Arkansas River in the heart of the […]
Christina Celenza and Tyler Roy enjoy toasting s’mores on a recent date around one of the Zen Sculptural Fire Pits at Frankford Hall in Philadelphia. The photo shoot, organized by Nick Silva and shot by Pete Hall, turned out great! I love the star-like lights in the trees in the first photo and Christina and […]
Campfire cookouts come to the city as Philly beerhall puts the fun into functional art. Surprise success of snack sales could point the way to a new restaurant trend— Handcrafted fire pits from Hudson Valley Fire Pits are sparking increased food and beverage sales for Frankford Hall, a Philadelphia, PA, biergarten with a modern twist. […]
Suqi, Rima. "Warding Off Winter." The New York Times 29 Dec. 2011: D1-D7. Print.
Barton, Ryan. Smart Marketing. Los Angeles: Rhizome, 2011. Print.
Fields, Jonathan. Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance
Alex Townsend was a passionate artist and musician studying graphic design at the Savannah College of Art and Design when he tragically passed away at the age of 21. As a remembrance, the family commissioned me to create a firebowl incorporating Alex’s signature tag.
Art Sea Street Fair in Lincoln City Focuses on Recycled Art. Hipfish [Astoria, OR] 11 June 2011: 20. Print.
“Artist Uses Recycled Objects for Artwork.” News-Times [Newport, OR] 10 June 2011: B2. Print.
“Bottle Caps, Prints and Princesses.” Oregon Coast TODAY 10 June 2011: 6. Print.
“Firing up the ‘Art Sea’ne.” The News Guard [Lincoln City, OR] 8 June 2011: Front Cover, B1. Print.
“Grovewood Gallery: 4th Annual Sculpture for the Garden.” The Laurel of Ashville 1 June 2011. Print.
“A Hot Mess.” Desperate Landscapes. DIY Network. 1 June 2011. Television.
Cover and “New Products.” Water Garden News June 2011: 30. Print.
Wright, Richard. “Bowls of Fire.” Hearth & Home May 2011: 88. Web.
“Outdoor Products.” Hospitality Design May-June 2011: 82. Print.
“Asian Modern.” House Crashers. DIY Network. 2 Mar. 2011. Television.
MacLeod, Hugh. Evil Plans: Having Fun on the Road to World Domination . New York: Portfolio/Penguin, 2011. Print.
Rudd, Laurie. “The Changing Face of Fire.” Casual Living Feb. 2011
Masters, Amanda. “Living With the Elements” Santa Barbara Magazine Jan. 2011.
Powell, Anne-Marie. "Primal Heat." Financial Times 24 Sept. 2010. Print.
These two grates are a commission for an apartment building in Texas. Both are made from recycled/reused components (other than the steel for the frame). Both grates have kinetic elements that spin, turn or bobble. I love adding moving parts to fences, gates and grates to give them a more dynamic and interactive presence. Here […]
Tiki Beach is a newly launched premium quality beach facility on 7 Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Island offering visitors a full range of guest experiences including a restaurant, bar, and beach activities. With a dramatic Polynesian styled roof, and four Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pits, Tiki Beach has already become a navigational landmark for […]
Some of the best photos I have of the Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit have been shot at Rumfire, Waikiki Beach. The eight Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pits at the beach front patio are one of the hallmarks of the restaurant. Located in the heart of Waikiki, RumFire promises to be Oahu’s hippest […]
Three Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pits adorn the roof top pool at Parc Blue. One of my favorite things about this fire pit installation is the blue glass used as a gravel below the fire pits— that rich field of blue really intensifies the orange of the flames! The fire pits are often lit […]
The Southwest Porch, located near the southern end of the Fountain Terrace, offers all visitors the ambience and luxury usually available only to a few. Equipped with a wood fueled Zen Sculptural Fire Pit, Adirondack chairs, sofas, and couches typical of those found at expensive hotels and resorts, Southwest Airlines is giving all of New […]
Costantini, Fabrizio. “Suddenly, the World Is Their Market.” Ed. Phyllis Korkki. The New York Times 15 Aug. 2010. Print.
In The Papers. Time Warner Cable. NY1 News, New York City, NY, 15 Aug. 2010. Television.
Hash, Robert. Modern Day Serf. LuLu, 2010. Print.
I had already done a custom firebowl for Graeme Cameron when he was part of Best Made Co., so when he left to form his own venture, Base Camp X, he asked me to do a new design featuring the BCX logo. We called it the Vulcan and you can order it exclusively from Base Camp X. As he writes on their site:
Fire Imps are playful, energetic and touchable sculptures scaled to fit any home. I love the way that the shapes and colors of the Fire Imps interact in a group— like a coral reef, a modern dance troupe, a forest of fall leaves, a party or festival.
Kessler, Jeffray N. "Chalice of Fire." Northern Express 3 May 2010: 10-11. Print.
Aspey, Brad. “John T. Unger’s Firebowls.” Interlochen Public Radio Arts and Culture Feature. WIAA, Interlochen, MI, 19 Feb. 2010. Radio.
When I first heard about the beautiful designer axes made by the guys at Best Made Co., it seemed like such a natural overlap with my firebowls that I promptly gave them a call. I had a great talk with Graeme Cameron and we were quickly on the path to being fast friends. Not long after, he approached me about doing a custom design firebowl for his place.
This stone and glass fountain with a Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit as centerpiece in San Clemente, CA shows that you can have it all… a stunning water feature crowned by live fire. Day or night, fire brings a lively focus to this water feature, combining two of the most primal elements. Colored lights […]
Nelson, Christopher. “Scouting Report: Creative Spark” Charleston Magazine Jan. 2010. Print.
Drahos, Marta H. "Artist in Copyright Tug-of-War." Traverse City Record Eagle 13 Nov. 2009, Arts & Entertainment sec.: 1C-2C. Print.
McNatt, Cindy. "Midweek Home and Garden Update: Fire Pit by John T. Unger Doubles as a Focal Point." OC Register [Santa Ana, CA] 14 Oct. 2009. Print.
Johnson, Garth. 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse: Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew. Quarry Books, 2009. Print.
Gilbert, Colin, Dylan Gilbert, Eliabeth T. Gilbert, Gabriel Guzman, Rebecca J. Razo, Sharon Robinson, Amy Runyen, and David Schmidt. The Daily Book of Art: 365 readings that teach, inspire & entertain. Walter Foster, 2009. Print.
With free reign to do whatever I wanted around a fire theme, I decided to try an idea that I had been toying with in the back of my mind for quite some time… Cutting outlines of flame shapes withing the flame designs of the Great Bowl O’ Fire. The idea being that the fire would show through these cutouts and achieve an effect of depth that might more closely mimic a real fire.
Douglas, Nick. Twitter Wit: Brilliance in 140 Characters or Less. New York: IT Books, 2009. Print.
Rivadeneira, Ricardo. "El Aguacate." El Aguacate. BBC. Ecuador, 14 Aug. 2009. Radio Interview
Page, Peggy. “Fifty Years of the Art Fairs From Sixties euphoria to Aughts angst.” Ann Arbor Observer 14 July 2009. Print.
Mask for Landfill ArtStainless steel, Brass, Copper, Aluminum, Steel14″ x 14 x 3Collection: Landfill Art I was asked to contribute a piece of art to the Landfill Art project. Ken mailed me a hubcap, I altered it and mailed it back. The mask design is loosely based on Northwest Coast masks. Landfill Art is an […]
Jarema, Morgan. “Ignite Bonfire Season: Michigan-made firebowls.” The Grand Rapids Press 10 May 2009: K1.
Every few weeks I get an email asking me about how my Bottle Cap Mosaics are created… people want to know what they’re made of, how the caps are attached, where I get the caps for the mosaics and so on. I’ve created the video below to answer most of those questions. Probably the most […]
The Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, Osoyoos, BC is a rare 53 inch diameter fire pit. I’ve never been able to find a contemporary source for bowls that large but every couple years I come across one or two vintage oversized tanks to cut them from. The […]
Inspired by traditional mask designs from all over the world, each Face of Spades carving is made from 100% recycled materials— breathing new life into the atoms of the abandoned. Shovels retired after a life of hard labor are reborn as playful, intriguing masks— faces peering back as if astonished by their own renewed existence. […]
Bertozzi, Vanessa. “Ruler of the Earth (-Friendly Items)” Etsy Storque. 20 Apr. 2009.
Enos, Denise Bate. “A Sense of ‘Repurpose’.” Orlando Magazine June 2009: 52.
Croft, Jo. “Light a fire in that bowl” The National [Abu Dhabi] 28 Feb. 2009.
I had a chance to visit Club Westside, a health and fitness club in Houston, Texas on my way to SXSW, and photograph the Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit that caps their fountain. Due to the rainy weather that day, it’s hard to see the water that forms flows down from the top, covering […]
Dale Ayers is an architect in Park City, Utah. He just sent me some amazing photos of his Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit installed at his home in the Promontory development outside Park City. The fire bowl with gas burner is accessible from the deck, but what I really love is the way that […]
Nordgren, Mona R. "Grona Vagen – Uterum i framtiden." Rosie Outdoor Living October 2008: 11.
This lovely Houston courtyard is set up very nicely for outdoor living. A fountain for warm days, a Zen Sculptural Fire Pit for cooler days and evenings, functional seating and a grill for outdoor meals. I like the mosaic table which complements the pebble floor. The window box planters and other greenery pull the space […]
Sanderson, Vicky. “Bottlecap bounty.” The Toronto Star 30 Sept. 2008.
These twin Fiery Fleur-de-Lis 37 inch Sculptural Fire pits flanking an infinity pool over Lake Okanagan in British Columbia were a commissioned design. I worked together with the client to come up with the drawings and scale, and when they were done, we were both so pleased with how they turned out that I asked […]
Mark in Watsonville, CA wanted a modified King Isosceles Sculptural Firebowl with a smooth undulating edge and reached out about ordering a custom 41 inch diameter firebowl.
Boyarsky, Andrea. "Keep the home fires burning." Staten Island Advance 3 Sept. 2008.
Mosaic Fish For Limelight Lodge Swimming Pool, 2008
Sicis glass, glass eyes, glass tile
Dimensions variable
Commission
Check out the before and after photos of this project which flanks a waterfall with two Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pits. The finished yard is a gorgeous space with a large waterfall at the head of the pool area and several smaller streams of water arcing into the pool from the sides. Flower containers, […]
Condren, Debra. “Check out my Web Site.” Metro New York, Metro Boston, Metro Philadelphia, 28 July 2008: 14.
Hulsbosch, Marianne, Alan Guihot, Bronwen Wade-Leeuwen, Paul Fitzgerald, and Ian Randall. Cambridge Senior Visual Arts. Stage 6. Cambridge University Press, 2008. Print.
Kessler, Jeffray. “Man of Steel.” Antrim County News 23 July 2008: 3A.
“Red Hot & Green: Tropical Getaway.” Red Hot & Green. HGTV. 14 July 2008.
Don and Sue bought their Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit from Goldner Walsch Nursery. They were so taken with it that they looked me up online and wrote to tell me how much they liked it. They wrote: We just had to email and tell you how much we LOVE the new fire pit […]
Mary Abe at Garden Gate Landscaping has won an award for her project “A Frame for Lush Scenery” which features a custom firebowl I collaborated on and built.
Artish. “A Dude’s Perspective: Men Who Craft.” The Storque 30 May 2008. 30 May 2008
Keene, Jarret. "The Great Wide Open: Can the Internet and Open-Source Technology Expand the Limits of Public Art?" Public Art Review Spring-Summer 2008: 34-36.
My Aloha Vibe: Rumfire, Sheraton Waikiki. Dir. Kimee Balmilero. Perf. Kimee Balmilero. 2008. My Aloha Vibe.
The best thing that ever happened to me was the night an angry, messed up cab driver pulled me into the back room of a 24 hour diner and held a huge handgun to my head for over ten minutes, all the while describing in intricately fetishistic detail exactly what would happen when he pulled […]
"How Do You Want to Share Your Passion? “Microsoft Home Magazine” 19 Mar. 2008.
Wizard Academy has two of my Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pits at their Austin, Texas campus. Above is the standard 37 inch size that I delivered on a trip to Austin for SXSW. I enjoyed meeting Roy Williams and touring the retreat including the Tower and Chapel Dulcinea. Wizard Academy exists to teach business […]
Lyons, Emily. “Best of Outside Spaces.” Washington Spaces Magazine Spring 2008.
“Artist John T. Unger Makes Every Day Earth Day.” Pages Magazine 26 Feb. 2008: 1.
Moniz, Melissa. “Igniting Waikiki.” Hawaii News 8 Feb. 2008, Weekend Coverstory ed.
“Curio: Our Favorite Trickets and Treasures.” Craft Magazine, vol 6, 5 Feb. 2008: 22.
Stanfield, Alyson B. I’d Rather Be in the Studio! Pentas Press, 2008.
A while back I posted an email I’d gotten from Ben in Florida, who ordered a customized version of the Great Bowl O Fire. He sent me a great photo of it recently.