While we’re in the trade of designing and installing both state-of-the-art and traditional sun rooms, conservatories and orangeries to our varied client list, we also like to see historic examples of the glazer’s art restored to their former glories wherever they may be.

So, that’s why we were delighted to hear that a super-rich Chinese businessman wants to rebuild the original Crystal Palace in South London. We’re intrigued, because the Crystal Palace was a major feat of engineering back in the 19^th Century, and it will pose its own challenges some 150 years later. Is he goig to rebuild using authentic materials, or is it going to be a modern facsimile with the latest developments in structural steel, plastics and modern heat resistant, self-cleaning glazing?

In fact, we’ll believe it when we see it, just like the chap who’s building the replica of the Titanic. Hope that doesn’t end as badly as last time.

Imagine how happy we were when we learned that a noted restoration project had finally paid off and is opening its doors to the public.Watch movie online The Transporter Refueled (2015)

The build in question is the Victorian conservatory at Wentworth Castle in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Taking fifteen months, and costing somewhere in the region of £3.7 million, the finishing touches added before the building opened to the public in early November. According to reports, the rebuild is a triumph of local and national fund-raising, with a campaign that lasted for ten years kicked off by the BBC’s Restoration programme.Watch Full Movie Online Streaming Online and Download

The Sheffield Star newspaper notes that over 4,000 pieces of the structure were dismantled, cleaned, restored and re-assembled to bring the conservatory back to its former glory. The work involved removing some 35 layers of paint, bringing it back to its original cream colour.

To be used as a temperate house, it is being planted with displays representing the five continents of the world, very much in the vogue that its Victorian owners might have used it to show off to visitors how incredibly well travelled they might have been. Well worth a visit if you’re travelling through the South Yorkshire area.

We can’t claim that any of our conservatories aren’t going to be the feature of a major restoration project in 100 years time, but we vouch for their build quality and timelessness, so why not? Contact us, and we can help you out with a piece of future history.