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- 16th February 2012
Suddenly it's Spring.... -
As the days are getting longer and the garden begins to wake up after the dark days of winter, now is the time to think about how to bring your garden back to life. With flashes of colour from daffodils, tulips and crocuses and the pretty fall of the cherry blossom, we all start to think of the balmy evenings to come, spent quaffing a few glasses of wine with family and friends. So how can we prepare and set the scene?
You could consider creating a central feature of a fountain to add drama and focus. Here at Wells Reclamation, we have a varied collection of garden water features to suit all budgets. The soothing sound of water is wonderful after a stressful day at work or chasing after the young brood!
For a more social feature, how about a permanent seating area housed within a dramatic iron gazebo, under a rose arch or even in a stone folly? Check out the options we have here at Wells Reclamation to give you some ideas for your own creation.
Of course, the purchase of some new garden furniture is sometimes all you need to make your garden more welcoming. The options are endless - wood, stone or metal. Contemporary or classic in design, there is garden furniture to suit everyones tastes. We have a varied selection with options to appeal to all.
By adding a few fairy lights in the trees and some tea light lanterns, outside entertaining couldn't be easier!
Enjoy...
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- 9th February 2012
Love is in the Air.... -
If the usual choice of Valentines gifts are causing you to groan and roll your eyes, perhaps it's time to expand your repetoire for this years event. A box of chocs or a heart clutching teddy are all very well if you're 12 but for the more mature reader, something a little more thoughtful is required....
What about a vintage style fruit crate filled with gourmet food and wine (or something more risque to spice things up)?? Not only is this a thoughtful gift, but it's really useful! Brownie points ahoy. Something for the garden for the more out-doorsie recipient or a statue of a very provacative Cleopatra for the man in your life. Or even a garden arch accommpanied by a climbing rose to symbolise your love.
On the other hand, you could think Valentine's Day is a huge commercial con created to sell cards and the afore mentioned heart clutching teddies. If this is the case, how about expressing your love with a little home baking. Here's a recipe for Strawberry Kiss Cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 170 or gas mark 4 and line a 12 hole muffin tin with muffin cases
4oz Butter at Room Temperature
4oz Caster Sugar
2 Large Eggs at Room Temperature
4oz Self Raising Flour
1 Heaped Tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp vanilla essence
Punnet of Strawberries
300ml Double Cream
Icing Sugar for Dusting
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until smooth. Add the vanilla essence. Sift and fold the flour and baking powder into the mixture until fully combined. Divide the mixture between the muffin cases and then bake in the oven until golden brown and springy to touch - about 15 or 20mins. Put the cakes on a wire rack to cool.
Meanwhile, whip the cream into soft peaks and thinly slice the strawberries. Once the cakes are cool, take a sharp knife and cut a wide, shallow cone of cake off each one. Put these to one side. Fill the holes with cream and a layer of strawberries. Spread cream on the underside of each lid and balance on top of the strawberries. Dust each cake with icing sugar.
Happy Valentine's Day!
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- 7th February 2012
How Much is that Doggy in the Window? -
A couple of weeks ago, we had the real pleasure of meeting this handsome dog called Welly. He currently resides at the Heaven's Gate Animal Rescue Centre in Langport (part of the National Animal Welfare Trust) and is looking for a new home.
As a group of ardent animal lovers we were very willing to help him find a new abode. To help promote him Heaven's Gate took some great photographs of this friendly 2 year old Lurcher cross (possibly Great Dane and Mastiff), next to our T34 Tank. We think he looks fantastic.
If you would like to find out more about Welly and some other homeless dogs in need of love and affection, please follow this link to the National Animal Welfare Trust's website.
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- 28th January 2012
War Horse -
We're all massive fans of the new Spielberg Film, War Horse. Not only because it's filmed not a million miles away in beautiful Devon, but because we have our very own War Horse onsite at Wells Reclamation.
He was created by a local craftsman out of reclaimed tools, farm implements and reclaimed metal stuff found at Wells Reclamation. This magnificent beast stands nearly two meters tall and represents the transition from agriculture to industrialisation. Bet you didn't expect such high-brow thoughts in the back waters of deepest darkest Somerset!
But this War Horse also represents the true meaning of architectural salvage - Recycle, Repair, Re-use.
He came from a pile of broken and un-wanted architectural antiques and in years to come, he'll be an architectural antique!
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- 26th January 2012
Bullet the Blue Sky... -
With a WW2 Russian T34 Main Battle Tank and a Blood hound Anti Aircraft Missile, you'd think we were well stocked in obscure military items.
Not quite... so we've recently acquired three missile nose cone covers from a Tornado Jet Fighter. Crazy looking things reminiscent of Mork & Mindy or a child's idea of a space rocket.
It's things like this that make architectural salvage so interesting. To most people they are defunct military hardware, to others a fantastic focal point for the house or garden or even an unusual gift for a military buff.
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- 9th January 2012
Another Brick in the Wall... -
A primary function of architectural salvage, is to rescue and reclaim old building materials from derelict or defunct property, with the intention of supplying another party in need of authentic period features when restoring their homes or buildings.
Reclaimed bricks are one of the most sought after items for those passionate about authentic restoration. Whether needing a few hundred to re-build a garden wall, or a few 1000 to re-build an entire exterior wall, if you look hard enough, you will find the correct reclaimed brick for the job. Wells Reclamation carries a huge stock of reclaimed bricks and clay bricks to sympathetically restore period buildings.
It is worth noting that brick colour is different throughout the country. London bricks are more yellow as they were originally made from the clay excavated when creating the London Underground network. Bricks from further west are more red in colour. Bricks also vary in size and shape. To ensure a genuine match with your reclaimed bricks you should always take a few samples with you to compare.
For the more ecologically minded, using reclaimed bricks is definitely a more environmentally sound decision than starting from scratch with all new ones. If you consider that up to 50% of the world's resources are used in construction, a sustainable approach in the sourcing of materials is a much more favourable route to follow.
By using reclaimed bricks not only are you adding to the heritage and aesthetic appeal of your property, but also helping the environment in a small but significant way.
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- 5th January 2012
Blowin' In the Wind.... -
It has been a tad breezy down in Somerset today! In fact, howling gales would be a better description and our roofs have been in the firing line. If you have experienced some damage and need a few replacement roof tiles Wells Reclamation has a wide selection of new and reclaimed roof tiles including pantiles, rosemarys and slate at reasonable prices.
To avoid any future damage it is important to have the tiles fixed properly to the roof. How often you fix them down depends on the style of tile. For example, Rosemary's only need to be fixed on the top row and the bottom row. However, pantiles need to be fixed every fourth row. Also, the pitch of the roof will have an influence on the fixing - On a shallow pitch more fixings are required to avoid wind damage.
For more information, please feel free to ask one of our very knowledgeable staff on your next visit.
Good Luck!
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- 3rd January 2012
Happy New Year. -
Happy New Year to all our customers. We hope you had a good break over Christmas and wish you good luck for 2012.
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- 9th December 2011
Christmas Charity Auction -
Like us on facebook and get the chance to bid for a pair of hand painted Chinese bedside cabinets. Free delivery to your door before Christmas! Proceeds from the winning bid go to the charity of your choice, in full.
You have 24 hours from 12 O'clock mid day on Sunday December 18th until 12 O'clock mid day on Monday December 19th to place your bids. Bear in mind that the normal retail price for this pair of cabinets is £130. Colour red, top and sides black crackle glaze. Dimensions 400mm wide x 600mm high x 300mm deep.
This event is open to all so tell your friends - you do not have to register your attendance on the facebook events page, but remember IT IS ESSENTIAL that you click 'LIKE' on the Wells Reclamation facebook Page for your bid to be valid!
We will take payment and delivery details from the successful bidder over the telephone, despatch the cabinets to arrive before Christmas (UK mainland only) and then present the charity of your choice with the full amount paid to us by you.
Your bids should be placed underneath the 'Starter Flag' on our main FACEBOOK WALL, which will appear at 12 mid day on Sunday 18th.
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- 25th November 2011
Baby It's Cold Outside... -
After a rather wet summer and a brief spell of warmth in late September, the nights are drawing in and there’s a distinct chill in the air. Thoughts of crisp winter days, mulled wine and Christmas can inspire you to add some cosy touches to your interior and bring extra comfort in the chilly months ahead.
Fireplace - The obvious starting point is the fireplace. Whether you have a very traditional home or a very contemporary one, it is possible to enhance the space with a fireplace. This can be an open fire with a traditional cast iron surround or stone surround with either solid fuel or gas. Or you can have a very plain opening with a cast iron fire basket for a more contemporary look. Both options will achieve the same level of heat and ambience. Wells Reclamation can provide reclaimed fireplaces and reproduction fireplaces, fire surrounds, stone fireplaces, slate hearths and decorative tiles to help you achieve your look.
Another option is a cast iron multi-fuel burning stove. These can be solid or gas fuelled and give off up to 90% less emissions than an open fire. The heat retention is more efficient than an open fire meaning fewer trips to the log store in the dark! They come in all different sizes, styles and colours to suit all budgets and tastes. Check out Long Life Stoves, Clearview, Hunter and Chesney’s for inspiration.
Finish the look with a rustic log basket and a fire companion set.
Once you have heat, it is time to consider how to increase the feelings of cosiness and warmth with furniture, decoration and accessories.
Furniture - An obvious choice would be a richly coloured sofa or armchair. Or a fabric covered ottoman to sit on near the fire. The trend now is for investment pieces such as vintage furniture or new well-made items which will last a life time rather than until next Spring. Auctions will give you some vintage options that can be reupholstered in your fabric of choice or you can look at new good quality furniture from Laura Ashley, Heals or George Smith.
The ongoing love of Chinoiserie inspired furniture in black, red and oranges will add drama to the room whilst providing valuable storage and a spot for a well-placed lamp or two. Have a look at this beautiful painted Chinese cabinet just in at Wells Reclamation. As well as this one, they have a range of painted Chinese cabinets, which are not only useful, but also beautifully decorated and at affordable prices.
Decoration - Autumnal and Winter inspired colours of deep reds, plum and rich greens add depth and warmth to a room. The Caledonian Collection by Kirkby Design is a wonderful range of 100% Scottish wool tartans and plains for upholstery and soft furnishings. They look fantastic in both traditional and contemporary settings. Be inspired by the fabrics and wallpapers from Lewis & Wood and GP&J Baker – beautiful, timeless designs to bring both cosiness and interest to your look.
Accessories - Use cosy tartan throws, sumptuous velvet cushions and richly coloured rugs to help set the mood. Well-placed lamps and candle lanterns will add different layers of lighting. To complete the look a winter bouquet of flowers, a glass of red and, of course, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree.
Emma Smith is an Interior Designer. Contact her on 01749 675644 or email emma@emmasmithinteriors.com
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