Orangeries were a common feature of larger Georgian and Victorian homes, bringing a taste of the Mediterranean environments homeowners enjoyed on the Grand Tour back to Britain. As part of this fantastic project here in Derbyshire, we created a cast aluminium staircase and mezzanine to add new life to the Georgian orangery.
The property was built in the 18th Century and was designed to emulate a grand Tudor manor house. The orangery had previously been used to house events and as a wedding venue with a tired looking timber balcony. Below the balcony is a bar area which was previously part of the event space, and now the owners have recreated the bar area and balcony in keeping with the original property.
After coming across our website from an online search and spending some time looking through our gallery, the homeowners decided to visit the showroom in Chapel-en-le-Frith to see some of these pieces in person and meet our managing director, Richard Harding, to discuss their project.
The design process
Having looked at a range of the options, the owners chose a design from our Victorian spiral staircase range. Our dedicated design team, developed 3D CAD designs for the staircase and balcony for the owners to approve. Once these were agreed, we then go to work.
The size of the balcony, which spanned 3800 mm across the orangery, and 2000 mm wide, essentially created a mezzanine, and it’s the homeowners’ intention to furnish it with a piano for their children to enjoy. A singular steel support column with a Victorian base was installed to bolster the installation, ensuring the strength of the balcony. Cast aluminium balconies, unlike cast iron, are incredibly lightweight, making them ideal for these kinds of upper floor applications.
Unusually, the 1000 mm x 500 mm Victorian decorative plates featured on the underside of the balcony floor, with the homeowner’s self-selected oak flooring on the upside. Lighting was then installed in the void between the landing plates and timber to highlight the metalwork. This allowed the intricate beauty of the Victorian style plates to be enjoyed from the lower level bar, whilst also introducing the warmth and richness of the timber to the mezzanine area.
The Victorian balusters on the balcony added a simple refinement, alternating with a regent ornate infill to create an open, airy feel to the balcony whilst also being aware of health and safety limitations with regards to spacing – as any gaps between balusters need to be less than 100 mm to comply with Building Regulations.
During the design process, the homeowners’ distinguished between the more intricate balusters at the top of the balcony, which they wanted to be more visible, and another style of Victorian baluster and ornate infill for the spiral staircase. Ten treads, each with a baluster and infill, ascended clockwise up to a radius drop landing; as the spiral staircase was installed at the side rather than the front of the balcony, the drop landing ensured the staircase didn’t spiral underneath the balcony, so as not to encroach on the bar area.
All of the pieces were powder coated at our dedicated facility before being transported to site. At this point, the homeowners prepared the space, whilst Richard arranged for fitters to come in to install the piece.
The homeowners were exceedingly happy with the result. “The service was second to none,” they said. “Richard is a class English gentleman, and British Spirals & Castings are the type of company you want to do business with – one you can trust and rely on.”
If you are interested in having a bespoke staircase or balcony installed in your own property, visit our gallery to view some of the options and submit a quote or get in touch via phone or email.