Wilstone House & Gardens at RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court 2008
October 16, 2008
Christo McKinnon, co-owner of Wilstone said “during 2008 we exhibited at Hampton Court and Chelsea Flower Show, and we were all really excited about exhibiting at both places. Last year the response we got from visitors to both of the show was fantastic. We think their reaction was because the majority of our products are antique and reclaimed and very unusual!”
Christo’s wife Kate who designs the planting schemes and grows the plants herself at their Shropshire home said “the best part of the show for me is the planting - it pulls everything together. It is hard work and some nights we are working on site until way after after midnight but the end result is well worth it!”
The Wilstone stands this year featured large and extremely rare Lingam stones, a classically designed hand carved wall fountain with a lead lion water spout, a large selection of hand carved sandstone pieces in traditional and contemporary designs and reclaimed architectural elements.
Christo continued “we exhibited a tented or canopied Gazebo at both shows, a new product for us. We sell a lot of our wrought iron Gazebos, but we have now added something unique – a tented section which attaches to the inner roof of the Gazebo to give cover or shade to those sitting underneath it.”
Made in natural canvas and available in burgundy or gold colour, the suspended tent allows the Wilstone Gazebo to become a room in the garden. Another new product from Wilstone is a classically designed sandstone pergola which features reclaimed timber roof beams.
Wilstone also exhibited their popular wrought iron Kadais which can be used as fire bowls, BBQ’s, planters or water features. Christo said “heavy riveted wrought iron kadai’s where once used all over India as large ceremonial cooking pots for weddings and festivals.”
Kate and Christo McKinnon on their stand at Chelsea Flower Show
Where will Wilstone House and Gardens be exhibiting in 2009? Watch this space, and keep and eye out on the website at www.wilstone.com
