Shropshire company wins ‘Product of the Year Award’ at Chelsea Flower Show

Wilstone House & Gardens at RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court 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 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stone Jali Panels from Wilstone House and Gardens

Detail of the Jali panel above, from Wilstone House and Gardens

These enchanting pierced stone windows have been used by Eastern countries for generations as decorative screens designed to let the natural light  and cooling breeeze through – but not the harsh rays of the sunshine.

Red Sandstone Jali - one of many from the range at Wilstone House and Gardens

The more decorative Mogul pieces are now becoming very collectable. Place a mirror behind a jali panel, or fit into a wall with a light behind it. Their elegance and fine carving provide an interesting feature to any dull wall, inside or out.  

Please have a look at the Wilstone House and Gardens website for further products www.wilstone.com

The Wilstone House and Gardens Kadai

Perfect for the cool late Summer evenings, the Kadai from Wilstone House and Gardens makes an ideal BBQ. After you have eaten, remove the grill and fill with firewood. The handles don’t get too hot, so move the Kadai nearer and all your friends will be toasty warm. Lovely!

These Kadai are available in many different sizes to suit all gardens and outside spaces.

For further information, please visit the Wilstone House and Gardens website www.wilstone.com

The Wilstone House and Gardens Kadai on a high stand