Today we hit a total of 4008 visitors to https://www.rpsfireplaces.co.uk, 18 days shy of 1 year! I will post the birthday stats on 18th October. What an amazing year!Uncategorized
Today we returned to one of two multi million pound Georgian town house restorations to give all our work a quick once over before all the glossy pics are taken for the sale brochure. Also picking up a beautiful Edwardian cast iron combination fireplace with an unusual dragon on the hood.Uncategorized
We are still trying to get in front with all the marble fireplace surround restorations at the minute. Having picked up 3 Victorian marble surrounds in approx 50 bits with no blueprints (photos) to guide me, I cannot explain my joy at finishing all the polishing and actually putting 1 of the fireplace surrounds back together for the first time in 15 years. Its amazing how well marble cleans up, no matter how mistreated. Right just 2 more to go for that customer……oh and only another 4 marble fireplace surrounds for other customers after that!!!! and several ton of cast iron fireplace restorations to work through!!!!Uncategorized
Today in the workshop we finished off a host of fireplace restorations for the trade. Restoring and finishing fireplaces from Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Nouveau periods so in many ways it was like a walk through English history spanning the early 18th century upto the early 20th century.Uncategorized
Todays fitting was the first stage of a fitting where we had to replace the constructional sub-hearth. The sub-hearh was removed by the previous owners of the property, our customers needed to reinstate it in order to have a working fireplace to keep them warm through winter.Uncategorized
Today was a big day in the workshop, loads to do. Started the day putting a 2″ extension on a restored Georgian fireplace for one of London’s most exclusive shops, really pleased with this one so pics will be up on http://www.facebook.com/rpsfireplaces soon.
Then on to restoring 3 Victorian fireplaces inc blasting, finishing , replacement firebricks, welding repairs and making replacement steel shelves. Finally delivery to Wimbeldon (SW19).Uncategorized
Today we fitted a limestone Victorian reproduction surround, original restored cast iron arched insert and slate surround in an old manor house in Eltham (SE9). Customers were so happy they made Paul a full on sit down lunch! And I got a takeaway version!!Uncategorized
First day in the workshop this week so loads to catch up with. A Georgian fireplace insert needed repairing and finished in a traditional lead black finish. We also did a full restoration on a Victorian tiled insert and a whole heap of welding.Uncategorized
First of today’s fittings was a slate back panel and Gallery convector gas fire in the customers own wood surround in Dulwich (SE21). Followed by fitting a restored antique Edwardian combination fireplace with original tiles in Catford (SE6).Uncategorized
Big day today, removing 2 marble surrounds for restoration and fitting 1 Victorian combination cast iron fireplace in Leytonstone (E11) and on the other side of the river installing a made to measure pine surround, slate slips and hearth in Beckenham (BR3). Also fitting a gas fire and replacement front bars in Dulwich (SE21).Uncategorized
We popped over to Dalston (E5), East London to look at a fireplace restoration with a difference. 15 years ago our customer removed 3 marble fireplaces and stored them in the garden in about 100 bits. We have no photos and somehow we have to polish and rebuild them, ready for fitting in 6 weeks. HELP!! On the plus side we have 3 Victorian tiled insert fireplaces to restore and they are complete.Uncategorized
Today’s fireplace fitting was for decorative use, a polished original Victorian tiled insert and slate hearth with the customers own wood surround. Pics on http://www.facebook.com/rpsfireplaces soon.Uncategorized
Today’s fireplace fitting in West Norwood was a Gallery fireplaces tiled insert and slate hearth fitted into a customer own wood surround for solid fuel use.Uncategorized
We spent so long deliberating whether to buy or lease a new van, we’ve got to the point of desperately needing one and looks like we’ve still got 2 weeks to wait till it arrives!!Uncategorized
Its been a busy week in the workshop and thanks to the restoration of a slate surround everything is covered in slate dust. Today we had 1 day to restore 7 cast iron fireplaces, full on to say the least. A day polishing, welding, spraying and rebuilding. Getting everything ready for our deliverys tomorrow.Uncategorized
We fitted an Edwardian slate surround with an original arched insert, gas fire and a slate hearth. We restored both the slate surround and the cast iron fireplace at our workshops. Unfortunately the slate surround had been mistreated over the years so after we had stripped and rebuilt it, it was painted to hide the damage. Pics on http://www.facebook.com/rpsfireplaces as soon as we get a minute.Uncategorized
We worked with today’s customers on the run up to there completion date, visiting the previous owner to take all the required measurements. So they could order in everything they needed in time for us to start work as soon as they moved in.
We fitted a multi-fuel stove with slate hearths in one room and a restored Victorian original combination fireplace and slate hearth in the other.
We also had measures for solid fuel fireplaces in Wandsworth (SW18), Islington (N17) & Eltham (SE9).Uncategorized
We worked on an antique slate surround restoration and an Edwardian marble restoration. After stripping both surrounds back to there separate panels, the restoration process begins.
From the separate panels we strip the paint off using a trade only paint stripper, then polish the individual panels. Once they are stripped and polished we then rebuild the surrounds using strong stone glue. Its a long process but they always look amazing when finished.Uncategorized
Today’s fireplace fitting in East Dulwich was an original slate surround and restored Victorian cast iron tiled insert and as always will be appearing on http://www.facebook.com/rpsfireplaces in the near future.Uncategorized
Today we signed the paperwork for a new van. Now we just have to wait for the delivery!! Until then we’ll keep chasing our tails!! Who wants a quiet life anyway?Uncategorized
Fitting a bollecian limestone fireplace surround with granite hearth, slips and chamber piece for decorative purposes.
Also collecting fireplaces for restoration from Brighton, Sussex & delivering finished restored cast iron fireplaces to Wimbeldon, South West London. #anotherbusydayatRPS !!Uncategorized
Today in the workshop we restored an Edwardian tiled insert fireplace for one of London’s leading fireplace specialist and a slate surround for one of our customers.
The slate surround had been treated very badly in the past and is taking quite a bit of work to restore but so far is coming on well
Pics next week of the finished surround fitted.Uncategorized
Today we fitted the restored Victorian combination fireplace that we finished yesterday in the workshop.
Fitted as a solid fuel working fireplace. Nice to see something that was essentially scrap turned round and restored back to its former glory. Pics will be on http://www.facebook.com/rpsfireplaces asap.Uncategorized
Today we restored a Victorian 48″ combination fireplace to be fitted on 10th September. We used this restoration as an opportunity to photograph the process as we had to replace the firebrick, grate, front bar and ashcover. The photographs will be on https://www.rpsfireplaces.co.uk and http://www.facebook.com/rpsfireplaces from the rebuild all the way through to the fitted fireplace as soon as we get a minute.Uncategorized
Respray an Edwardian cast iron fireplace and replace the damper plate in situ as well as take a template for a slate hearth to be fitted at a later date.
Then restored fireplaces delivered to Vauxhall (SE1) and Battersea (SW11).Uncategorized
Today brings an end to one of the worst jobs we’ve ever done. 2 massive brass shelving units in the shape of Chinese pagodas. And a huge mirror. 2 whole days of polishing brass.
Looking forward to getting back on to some fireplace restoration tomorrow. Got a big day lined up of both cast iron fireplaces and marble surrounds.Uncategorized
Today’s fitting was a restored Victorian cast iron arched insert fireplace with a made to measure waxed pine surround and slate hearth. The fitting involved removing an existing back boiler, making good the chamber and fitting the fireplace. Pictures will be on http://www.facebook.com/rpsfireplaces soon.Uncategorized
Insitu restorations are always a challenge. Today’s restorations where in a Georgian house in Chiselhurst. They consisted of extensive wirebrushing before coating with a black lead substitute and buffing up to the traditional graphite shine. As well as replacing a missing hood on one of the fireplaces, luckily they had the exact same fireplace with hood in another room so we can have the original re-cast at a foundry.Uncategorized
We are fitting 3 antique original combination fireplaces purchased from a local salvage yard in Sydenham today.
And delivering fireplace restorations in South London, South West London and North London. Full steam ahead!!Uncategorized
Today in the workshop we pushed on with our London trade fireplace restorations. Polishing a large cast iron Edwardian fireplace surround and a Georgian hob-grate fireplace and finishing 3 Victorian cast iron arch fireplaces in our heat proof matt black spray paint.
Also polishing to massive brass shelving units. #Busyday.Uncategorized
Todays fitting was a Gallery collection cast iron black Crown arch fitted for gas use with a made to measure pine surround (hand painted in white eggshell) and a custom sized slate hearth. All supplied by RPS. The pics of the fitting are on http://www.facebook.com/rpsfireplaces .Uncategorized
We have started trying to catch up with all our fireplace restoration work now, working like demons sandblasting, welding, spraying and polishing.
We also painted a made to measure pine surround in eggshell white ready for tomorrow’s fitting.Uncategorized
We’re off to East Dulwich today to fit a restored original antique Victorian arched insert with a new slate hearth and a made to measure pine surround all supplied by us. Pictures will be posted on http://www.facebook.com/rpsfireplaces as soon as we get a minute.Uncategorized
A busy day in the van collecting cast iron period fireplaces for restoration, from literally the four corners of London. We have just collected a beautiful Victorian arched insert fireplace to put up for sale and an amazing 51″ arts and crafts combination fireplace designed by Thomas Jekyll will also be up for sale soon. We might even get round to restoring our own fireplaces before they’re sold one day!!!Uncategorized
First day back after 2 weeks off and we have fireplaces everywhere in need of restoration! Head down, welder out and crack on.
As well as all the cast iron fireplaces we have an unusual slate fireplace surround to restore back to its former glory and several marble fireplace surrounds to get stuck into. The pics will be on http://www.facebook.com/rpsfireplaces as soon as they are fitted.Uncategorized
Today’s fitting is a little unusual as its a very early Georgian marble surround and a stunning little cast iron half hob-grate fireplace. Not the every day fit, which keeps it all interesting!Uncategorized