ESSE

In this film, we spent the day with designer and broadcaster Patrick Grant as he shares the story behind his beautifully restored ESSE stove and introduces the new ESSE stove chosen for his recently renovated home. Patrick talks us through the history and craftsmanship behind these iconic British stoves, reflecting on the importance of restoration, longevity, and thoughtful design within the home. From the character of a carefully restored original to the innovation of a new ESSE model, this film celebrates the timeless appeal of well-made objects that are built to last.

We directed, filmed and edited this piece to capture the warmth, heritage and quiet beauty that ESSE stoves bring to a space, alongside Patrick’s passion for considered living and traditional craftsmanship.

All filmed and edited by Studio Dark.

A collection of woodworking tools, including a wood-handled chisel, a black saw, and a wooden spoon, resting on a dark surface.
A man with a beard, sitting in a wooden chair with orange cushion, holding a mug, next to a lit fireplace in a cozy living room with framed artwork on the wall.
A man with a beard, wearing a black sweater, sitting in a wooden chair near a fireplace, holding a green mug, with a content expression on his face.
Living room with a decorative white fireplace mantel, a wood stove with fire, and framed artwork on the wall. Two chairs are positioned on either side of the fireplace, and a lamp illuminates the room.
A black and white photo of a dirt road leading to a large, leafless tree in a rural landscape, with stone fences on each side and fields in the background under a cloudy sky.
Person lighting a fire in a wood stove or fireplace with matches.
A cozy indoor scene with a person holding a mug near a fireplace with a burning fire, brown tiles around the fireplace, and decorative molding above.
A vintage metal stove with a reflective surface, set into a black-tiled fireplace surrounded by a beige mantel.
A man with a beard standing in a living room, holding a mug, smiling, near a fireplace with a fire burning. The wall behind him has three framed artworks, including a portrait of a young man, abstract and line art pieces.
Close-up of an Esse stove machine with a logo, on a tiled floor.
Living room with a fireplace, painting, and artwork on the wall, two armchairs and a pink sofa, and two lamps.
A man is sitting on a small red upholstered stool near a wood-burning stove, warming himself by the fire inside a room with ornate white trim and brown tile accents.
A cozy living room with two pink armchairs, striped cushions, a large window with patterned curtains, a photography studio light, and a camera on a tripod facing the window.
A pair of black binoculars on a windowsill with raindrops on the window and a blurry outdoor landscape in the background.
A man sitting in a wooden chair with a cushion, holding a mug and relaxing by a fireplace in a cozy living room, decorated with framed paintings and warm lighting.
A vintage black and silver toy stove with four small stove windows, placed on a black tiled countertop and backsplash in a kitchen.
Close-up of vintage industrial machine part with metal label reading 'N° 450 ESSE', reflected in a glossy black surface.
Camera monitor showing a person preparing a pizza on a wooden board outdoors, with additional cooking equipment in the background.
A person operating a Sony camera with a mounted external monitor, capturing a close-up of a pizza.
Outdoor grill on a patio with potted plants and a black fence, partially obscured by red and green foliage.
Black outdoor cast iron stove with a handle and decorative cutout on the door, set against a wooden fence, with some greenery in the foreground and a plant in a pot to the right.
Close-up of an outdoor stove with sunlight shining from the left.
Close-up of a black outdoor stove.
Cherry tomatoes, sprigs of rosemary, a slice of mozzarella cheese, and a bowl of green olives on a wooden cutting board.
A pizza topped with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, and sprinkled with black and red pepper flakes.
Close-up of a black outdoor stove with sunlight shining on the background.
Close-up of a metallic appliance with a label reading 'No 450 ESSE' attached with two screws.
Fresh cherry tomatoes on vine, sprigs of rosemary, and a bowl of green olives on a wooden surface.
Cherry tomatoes on the vine, a sprig of rosemary, a ball of fresh mozzarella, and a bowl of green olives on a wooden cutting board.
Wood logs burning in a stove with flames visible.
Close-up of a white cabinet with a top-mounted coil spring hinge, against a background of a wall with vertical light streaks and sunlight shining through, creating bright vertical lines.
A person lighting a match next to a pack of Essee matches.