Updates
HRW Antiques Showroom
Wilkinson now has a variety of chandeliers, wall lights and lanterns on display within the HRW Antiques showroom, located on the first floor of Chelsea Harbour Design Centre East.
The lighting range can be purchase or custom pieces can be created based on many of the designs seen.
Both HRW and Wilkinson show quality pieces of individuality and distinction.
www.hrw-antiques.com
111 Design Centre East, Chelsea Harbour, London, SW10 0XF
Wilkinson's at Decorex International 2012
Wilkinson Plc will be displaying their chandeliers at The Decorex International 2012 Interior Design Show they will be joining seven other specialist companies on the Royal Warrant Holders Association stand (No. H255). Decorex International 2012 will be from 23rd -26th September 2012 at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London SW3
For more information on Decorex International and details of our involvement please click link below
http://www.decorex.com/page.cfm/Link=206/t=m/goSection=9
The Challenge
Wilkinson's faced a challenging task in 2011-2012 of manufacturing a pair of chandeliers with only a photograph to go on. The picture was of an early 1900's F & C Osler chandelier Wilkinson's restored in the 1990's. The reproduction pair of chandeliers with a matching pair of wall lights was altered to the original to meet the customers needs. As there were no physical patterns to take castings from, to judge scale or copy cutting patterns, Mr Wilkinson hand drew each individual piece to be made. An excellent example of Wilkinson's highly skilled craftsmen.
Antiques Uncovered
Wilkinson Plc were featured on Antiques Uncovered BBC2 Wednesday 2nd May 2012. Demonstrating how Wilkinson's manufacture bespoke chandeliers using original machinery and methods from over 100 years ago.
Featured in House Beautiful magazine
Wilkinson's supplied one of their Thornham Hall style Georgian chandeliers to the highly acclaimed Interior design company Maine Design of Los Angeles. The chandelier appeared in a 12 page article in the American House Beautiful magazine in January 2012.
http://www.mainedesignllc.com/
Big Blue
Working for the world renowned Paris based interior designer Alberto Pinto, Wilkinson recently completed a magnificent set of three large Adam style chandeliers in blue lead crystal for one of their clients.
Each chandelier, weighing in at 180 kg, has 24 lights arranged on 2 tiers with an additional 6 upper arms fitted with decorative triangular spikes. At over 2.8 metres tall and 1.8 metres diameter, they are the largest Adam style chandeliers ever made by the company and were accompanied by a set of 12 matching wall lights of equally impressive proportions. The work took a total of 18 months to complete.
48 light reproduction Osler chandelier
In August 2011 Wilkinson's completed the manufacture of one of the largest chandeliers they've produced in recent years. Based on a chandelier manufactured by Osler around 1900, it measures 3 metres in height, 2 metres in diameter, with 48 lights and weighing over 300kg. The chandelier consists of over 3,500 of crystal components with hand cut English Lead crystal pieces and Swarovski crystal pendants.
Apsley House
On the 1st March 2011, Wilkinson's re-hung the original 19th century chandelier in the State Dining Room at Apsley House, London, the former home of the Duke Of Wellington. Wilkinson's removed the chandelier in September 2010 and transported back to workshops for extensive conservation and cleaning works.
The chandelier was according to the V&A archives was designed by Hancock Rixon and Dunt c1810.
Chandelier was fully rewired with energy saving in mind with internal dimmable 4w Heritage LED candle lamps.
Brian Price Retires
Long standing member of staff Brian Price retired on 14th October 2010 after nearly 27 years with the company.
Brian started as a part time delivery driver for Wilkinson's, but it was soon apparent that Brian was a hard working, loyal and reliable member of staff and became a full time employee in our chandelier department. Brian has installed, dismantled, cleaned and restored some of the largest, unique, most impressive and important chandeliers in the world. Brian is planning to spend time playing more golf and at home in East Sussex with his wife and family.
Mr Wilkinson presented Brian with a hand cut crystal bowl, produced by one of our skilled specialist in house glass cutters.
New Premises
From the 4th January 2010, Wilkinson plc will be operating from their new head office and workshops in Kent.
The converted barn is situated between Sittingbourne and Maidstone in the middle of the Kent countryside. The barn has undergone a year long complete renovation with a new roof, windows and doors. The super insulated building has underfloor heating with an environmentaly friendly ground souce heat pump reclaiming heat from below the ground. Low energy lighting has been used throughout.
Bexon Court Barn can be easily reached from the M2 or M20. Sittingbourne and Hollingbourne stations are both about 4 miles distant and we can arrange for customers to be collected from either station.
St Georges Church
On the 18th November 2009, Wilkinson's installed a magnificent 17th century Dutch brass chandelier in the recently refurbished Grade 1 listed St George's Church in Bloomsbury, London.
The chandelier, from a church in Kaatsheuval in North Brabant, the Netherlands is owned by the Victoria and Albert Museum and is being permanantly loaned to St George's Church in a unique arrangement by World Monuments Fund Britain.
Wilkinson's cleaned, conserved and wired the 36 light chandelier which is 2.8 metres tall and weighs over 700kgs
To see a timeframe video of the chandelier being installed click this link
http://www.wmf.org.uk/resources/films/installing_the_chandelier
Jane Milnes Retires
Long standing member of staff Jane Milnes retired on 28th August 2009 after nearly 25 years with company.
Jane started as a secretary to David Wilkinson and quickly took over the roll of looking after the repair and restoration side of the business. She became a Director of the company in 1991 and will be fondly remembered by many customers. Jane is planning to spend her retirement with family and friends at her home in the Weald of Kent.
Jane was presented with a hand cut lead crystal bowl with an accompanying photo album showing all 17 members of staff making at least one cut on the bowl.
Fourth Generation of Wilkinsons
Jodie Wilkinson
The forth generation of Wilkinsons is now working in the family business. Jodie Wilkinson, the oldest great grandchild of the founder Reginald Wilkinson, joined the company in 2005.
Wilkinson eBay Shop
At the end of 2007, Wilkinson plc set up an eBay Shop to sell small items. Since opening, over 1,800 customers have bought silk covered and specialist flexes, lampholders, chandelier pins, candle sleeves, bulbs, crystal drops and buttons, colouring solutions, hooks and chains. Most items are available for next day delivery when paying by PayPal.