British Spirals & Castings have helped to turn back the clock and restore the pre-war prestige of a Victorian property in London.
The home initially benefited from large French windows which led out onto a balcony, evoking images of the original home owners in large feathered hats and tailcoats taking tea whilst admiring the garden below. However, possibly due to bomb damage in World War II, the windows were bricked up and the balcony lost.
The homeowners were eager to restore the home and garden to their former splendour, including reinstating the balcony to provide an outdoor space for relaxing and dining. They wanted a design which maintained their vision of a traditional-style home whilst also meeting their personal requirements.
The owner explained: “I wanted to choose a company that cast their product in the UK, rather than importing precast metal in standard designs. I liked that British Spirals & Castings were a family-run business and the enthusiasm and excitement Richard, the Managing Director, showed when he came to meet me in London to discuss the project cemented my confidence to go with them.”
The owners opted for a balcony and part straight/part spiral staircase from the Victorian range to maintain the style and feel of the house. They followed Richard’s suggestion to use more ornate spindles to create maximum visual impact on such a large balcony, something which the owner states they would not have normally chosen themselves. Yet it was not only the onlooker’s perspective that was considered in the design process, but also the user’s, with the design of the staircase being altered so that it was a more open spiral to finish pointing out into the garden. The client was “really pleased” with the final design “as it works with the size of the house and garden”.
Richard Harding commented: “We were particularly excited by the size of the balcony as it allowed us to tailor the design to both the aesthetic and functionality requirements of the project. Although the patio, onto which the staircase leads down, was not yet laid, our detailed measuring process ensured installation went smoothly. The final result has not only restored a sense of Victorian glamour to the garden but has also added a beautiful new feature to the property, which we hope will enjoyed for many years to come.”