In 2005 artist Rachael Que Vargas created the very first decorative fire pits made from recycled propane tanks. Since then she has hand cut more than 2400 fire pits, shipping to all 50 states and over 20 countries.
In 2005 artist Rachael Que Vargas created the very first decorative fire pits made from recycled propane tanks. Since then she has hand cut more than 2400 fire pits, shipping to all 50 states and over 20 countries.
Sustainability is a major focus of my work as an artist.
I choose to limit production to reduce impact on natural resources, climate and the environment.
Made from 100% recycled steel.
Timeless designs never go out of style.
Crafted to last generations with no maintenance.
Patina finish is self-healing and uses no chemicals.
All designs can convert to gas burners to minimize emissions and risk of accidental fire.
Scrap is re-used for other artworks or recycled.
Designed to become an everlasting part of your family tradition, Hudson Valley Fire Pits carry a Dynasty Guarantee— a legacy to be passed down to your children and theirs. The thickness and quality of the steel insures that they will last many generations with no maintenance required. A signed stainless steel nameplate guarantees your Fire Pit's authenticity.
Gather friends and family to celebrate around a roaring blaze year-round. The raised bowl allows you to sit comfortably without having to lean forward to stay warm. Keep your feet toasty, tucked below the rim of the bowl and bask in the full-body radiance that a raised firebowl offers. An outdoor fire pit is a great way to extend the outdoor living season.
Hudson Valley Fire Pits add warmth and ambiance to any outdoor space. Create a cozy atmosphere to cuddle with your sweetheart, share dreams and make memories or just relax and reflect.
An evening around the fire is a pleasurable pastime, as flames capture the imagination, sparking ancient memories spanning back to the dawn of time.
Using a torch to cut flame images into a flammable gas storage tank to create a firebowl which can then be plumbed for gas is a perfect example of how I like materials and ideas to work together. Even the natural patina relates directly back to flame in it’s coloration— fiery reds, oranges, yellows and blacks.
More than 60 restaurants, hotels, churches and public spaces have installed Hudson Valley Fire Pits as dramatic decor and outdoor gathering spaces.
Hudson Valley Fire Pits clients include Google, Calvin Klein, Telfar, Sandals Ochi, Rum Fire at the Sheraton Waikiki, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, and the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.
Curbside Freight Delivery with a lift gate is included in the price for all US orders excluding Alaska and Hawaii. More info.
For International orders please email from the contact page.
Designed to become an everlasting part of your family tradition, Hudson Valley Fire Pits come with a Dynasty Guarantee— a legacy to be passed down to your children and theirs. The thickness and quality of the steel insures they will last many generations with no maintenance.
Need more information? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions Page
or reach out via the Contact Page.
Call 518-444-2015 to speak directly to the artist.
Timeless designs, based on simple geometry, the elements, and symbols which have held meaning for millennia, the fire features in this collection will never go out of fashion and will complement nearly any style of landscape. Drawing equally from the natural sciences and the spirit, Hudson Valley Fire Pit designs embody erudition and enlightenment. Share stories and tell tales around the poetic forms of these classic sculptural fire pit designs.
Need inspiration for your project? Check out photos from around the world to see how people have incorporated Hudson Valley Fire Pits into yards, gardens, decks, pools, patios and fountains.
More than 60 restaurants, hotels, churches and public spaces have installed Hudson Valley Fire Pits as dramatic decor and outdoor gathering spaces. Hudson Valley Fire Pits clients include Google, Calvin Klein, Telfar, Sandals Ochi, Rum Fire at the Sheraton Waikiki, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, and the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.
Custom Fire Pit designs are all about making sure you get exactly what you’re looking for. Lead times for custom work are typically much longer, involving concept discussions, collaboration on image research, and drawings. I am not able to do custom sizes.
Rachael Que Vargas’ iconic Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit (previously known as the Great Bowl O’ Fire) was the very first artist-created decorative fire pit to be made from the ends of recycled propane tanks.
There’s a poetry to the design— using a torch to cut flame images into a flammable gas storage tank to create a fire pit which can then be plumbed for gas is the kind of layered metaphor I enjoy most about working with recycled materials. Even the natural patina relates directly back to flame in it’s coloration— fiery reds, oranges, yellows and blacks.
The Phoenix + Flames holds a wealth of symbolism. On every Phoenix + Flames I cut, there is a stylized flame in the shape of a phoenix rising through the embers to symbolize the rebirth of scrap steel into something new and wonderful. The phoenix is always the first flame I cut into the bowl, the beginning of its transformation. A hand-shaped flame attests that the sculpture is hand-carved with a torch. The remaining shapes are the natural forms of fire, ingrained in my hand from a life spent working with fire to create beauty from metals.
The cozy mood of an open hearth under the stars provides a great space for socializing and conversation, extending the living area of your home to the outdoors. An evening around the fire is a pleasurable pastime, as flames capture the imagination, sparking ancient memories spanning back to the dawn of time. The constant movement and change of fire is both soothing and exciting, the perfect backdrop for tall tales, quiet reflection or intimate moments.
Gather friends and family to celebrate around a roaring blaze year-round. The raised bowl allows you to sit comfortably without having to lean forward to stay warm. Keep your feet toasty, tucked below the rim of the bowl and bask in the full-body radiance that a raised firebowl offers. An outdoor fire pit is a great way to extend your outdoor living season.
Start with the earth under your feet. Reach to the sky for air. Add water and fire and now your landscape design contains all of the cardinal elements collaborating to create alchemical, transformative beauty.
When it comes to enhancing your outdoor space, few elements can match the beauty and functionality of incorporating fire pits into pools or fountains. This combination elevates your outdoor aesthetics, creating a captivating ambiance for gatherings, relaxation, and entertainment. The mesmerizing interaction between fire and water creates a stunning visual experience.
A flickering fire pit by a tranquil pool can transform any ordinary yard into a breathtaking sanctuary. Imagine soaking in a warm pool while the fire pit crackles nearby, providing warmth and comfort during chilly evenings.
Hudson Valley Fire Pits have been featured in magazines, newspapers, books and popular TV shows, including The New York Times Business and Home sections, The Chicago Tribune, Variety, Craft Magazine, Hearth and Home, Casual Living, HGTV’s Decked Out and My Yard Goes Disney, DIY Network’s Man Caves, Epic’s Castle series and several episodes of CBS’ Hawaii Five-0.
As Gabriel Guzman writes in The Daily Book of Art:
Who would have thought that a bowl of fire could be so beautiful? Hand-cut out of recycled steel, these bowls combine sculpture and function to create unique works of art with industrial flair that provide warmth and an exciting centerpiece for events. When in use, the flame-like edges of these bowls cast mesmerizing shadows that dance across the ground, acting as part of the art.
Hudson Valley Fire Pits handmade by artist Rachael Que Vargas are luxury fire features valued for exceptional craftsmanship, beauty and design. Since 2005, her work has delighted discerning clients worldwide. Read More
Every Hudson Valley Fire Pit is handmade start to finish by artist Rachael Que Vargas from 100% recycled American steel.
Rachael Que Vargas is the creative genius who lived inside artist John T. Unger for 54 years, providing their best ideas. The same artist you’ve known but female, and a force of nature in the best possible way. Read More
Friday: Noon to 7:00 PM
Saturday: Noon to 7:00 PM
Sunday: Noon to 7:00 PM
Or by Appointment
Address:
407 Middle Road, Hudson, NY, 12534
Call: 518-444-2015
Text: 231-584-2710