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A wood fireplace inside the home is ever so cosy on a cold winter day. Snuggle up with a blanket or toast some marshmallows. A wood fireplace oozes with warmth and visual appeal. The only negative aspect about a wood fire is the mess that wood can create inside the home!

This is where Red Hill Wrought Iron come to the rescue…with wrought iron garden and indoor furniture to neatly stack wood away, such as wood holders or wood stackers.

Red Hill Wrought Iron do not believe that one style will fit all – this is why we make wrought iron furniture for your fireplace in a variety of styles and sizes. Be proud to display your firewood in an attractive and stylish wrought iron wood holder – a furniture piece that you will not want to hide away!

Wood holders can be finished in matt black or antique rust. A wood holder will organise wood and give additional storage height. Using a wood stacker will allow each piece of wood to air dry. Stacked wood will be ready to use, as it will not get damp if it is placed in a wood holder. No longer will you need to waste time and effort chopping all that wood that goes to waste with dampness and mould.

Red Hill Wrought iron handcraft outdoor and indoor furniture out of heavy gauge metal, ensuring that longevity is experienced with each piece. Add a touch of style to your living space with a wood holder or stacker. More importantly, be gone with the untidy mess and keep all family members happy as they no longer need to step over pieces of firewood!

Choose to display wood in a wood holder or stacker that is kept inside or outside. Our wrought iron garden and indoor furniture is hand crafted and is suitable for any type of weather condition, be that rain, hail or shine.

#Wood Holders #Stackers #Wrought Iron Furniture

We made for a customer who was a keen gardener and wanted something to store her bits and pieces in. I make them in a variety of diameters. They can also be used as an fire wood storage bin. They look great and give the home an “austrliana” feel. Rust and wrought iron and studs

#The Rustic Mini-Orb Pot

It is part of any artisan’s journey to be inspired by the work of other artists and craftsmen. Along with the inspiration, comes a lot of mental and physical work. Over the past few months I have risen to the challenge of creating a smaller version of Henry Moore’s functional bowstring equatorial sundial.

This grand feature, cast in bronze by Henry Moore in 1980, is called “Man Enters the Cosmos” and stands 4metres high on the front of Lake Michigan outside the Adler Planetarium. The work is a copy of a composition first created in the 1960’s by the artist for the offices of The Times newspaper in London.

Preparing a prototype

While the construction I had in mind was far smaller than the original source of my inspiration, it brought particular challenges due to the contour of the arms of the sundial. I thought the piece would make a nice garden feature so despite not knowing how I would recreate the beautiful bow-shaped arms, I set about cutting and welding to create a prototype.

Initially working with brass, I was making some progress with the piece but found some damage in one spot where I applied too much heat when welding the metal. I was uncertain how to continue when I found that I could use silicon bronze, which cost less than brass and was much easier to manipulate. Silicon bronze is similar in appearance to brass. Using this material, I was able to make small welds and let them cool down in between before filing it back.

The structure has taken quite some time and patience as I strive to create a replica that is respectful of the original artwork.

New processes

I have further discovered a technique to use for projects like this one using a water jet to cut the brass. This is quite exciting as it will enable me to recut the bow-shaped pieces more easily and hopefully avoid further hold up due to damage. I look forward to finally have this wonderful structure available for more customers.

There is a sense of enjoyment in making a sundial similar to the original work and achieving success in creating these beautiful contours. It makes all the time and effort I have put into this project very worthwhile. It’s an example of how much work goes on in the background of creating new pieces for the Red Hill Wrought Iron range.

#Red Hill Wrought Iron #Sundial #Crafting the challenges

While the mornings are still rather cold, the days are getting longer and our attention is turning towards the arrival of Spring. Many of us leave the garden to its own devices during the dark, cold days of winter but Spring tends to draw us out into the garden once again.

The first thing we think about is giving the garden a good tidying and bringing the foliage back into order. At Red Hill Wrought Iron, we have a number of garden features to help you present your garden at its best. Some are decorative. Some are designed for practical purposes. All of them will add interest to your garden layout.

Pretty and protective

Our obelisks make an attractive centrepiece for your outdoor area. Many people comment on how stunning they are. We also have a range of ornamental metal flowers which add a bit of fun amongst your garden beds.

On the practical side, we create garden arches, trellises and plant supports to hold the branches and stems of your larger plants. They add a rustic dash of colour as well.

Budding ideas

As a craftsman, my mind is always buzzing with new ideas and it doesn’t take much to capture my attention and imagination. Once an idea begins to germinate, I start to design a piece and the tools or equipment I need to make it. There are a couple of new aspects on the go, which should be ready come Spring.

Just lately, I’ve been turning copper pots into attractive storage units for firewood, which are well suited to place beside the fireplace and to be a talking point for your guests. They make a shiny addition to our range amongst all the wrought iron pieces. I’ve also been working on a twisting machine to add extra features to new garden pieces.

Pieces on show

If part of your preparation for Spring is to attend local markets, you might like to track me down at the Red Hill market which recommences on DATE of September. You’ll find the Red Hill Wrought Iron stand located behind the tennis courts.

You can always give me a call on my mobile: 0417 594 088 if you’re having trouble locating us on the day. I’d love to have a chat with you in person and I’ll have a number of pieces on display. You can take a look, purchase what’s there or place orders for any of the range in preparation for your Spring garden renewal.

#Red Hill Wrought Iron

I am always delighted to hear how my customers use our products in a different way. One of my customers who comes from a Kurdish background, explained that fire has special importance in their lifestyle. They enjoy sharing special occasions with family and friends and the fire helps to draw them together. An important part of these gatherings is the food they prepare and share.

The customer ordered a fire pit to be installed into his back yard. They added a BBQ plate and grill to the fire pit. The whole family enjoys cooking meat on an open fire and sharing the meal with family and guests. They especially like to fire up the pit for special occasions.

My customer shared with me that he likes to use different woods on the fire to add a variety of flavour to the meat. I have heard of people in the USA using woods such as Oak or Hickory to add a strong flavour to meat and poultry. He advised that they particularly chose the wood from fruit trees as it makes the meat taste so much better.

Each fruit wood adds something individual to the meat. On researching this, I found that fruit woods are popular and tend to add a milder in flavour:

Apple wood has a mild, sweet fragrance, which goes well with poultry, pork, and beef.

Cherry is another popular wood and is very well suited for poultry. However, a word of warning, if you use too much, it can make your meat very dark in color.

Peach is a mild, very sweet wood is extremely well suited for pork and poultry.

Citrus woods such as Orange are the most popular out of the citrus woods. This very light, mild wood is great on all meats.

This is not the end of the range of flavours you can add to your BBQ meats. Other types of include:

Nut Woods such as Hickory, Oak, Pecan and Black Walnut

Hard woods such as Maple, Mesquite and Alder are very popular in some areas.

It is great to feel that the Red Hill Wrought Iron fire pit can be used to create memorable meals for family gatherings. As this story indicates, they can be put to practical purposes which add an important emotional benefit as well.

#Fire Pit #Red Hill Wrought Iron

Many of the pieces I design at Red Hill Wrought Iron are created for individual customers or families. Every now and again, I enjoy creating something for a community situation.

Recently, I was asked to install a fire pit for a children’s camp in Mornington. The teachers like to create a safe space where school children attending the camp experience some fireside cooking. With groups of enthusiastic, energetic children milling around the fire, the teachers needed to know that the fire pit would keep the fire contained. Having wood roll out of the pit area would be a terrible hazard.

The fire pit needed to be a reasonable size as well so that a number of children could gather around and join in the cooking process. I measured out the area carefully and designed the pit to the specifications.

Measuring 1.2 meters in diameter x 270mm deep, the fire pit is supported on a solid steel ring. This is better than a hole in the ground and has better ergonomics for cooking and containing the fire. The installation went well and the area was ready for some culinary fun.

Read More... http://redhillwroughtiron.com.au/blogs/cooking-up-some-fun-fire-pit-for-the-kids/

In Australia, it’s a bit of a tradition to enjoy the outdoors by gathering around an open fire. A lot of our customers love to spend time with family and friends around the barbeque or a fire pit in the back yard. It’s a time to relax and enjoy good food and some drinks. Even during the summer season, Aussies like to keep this tradition going.

When dealing with an open fire, you need to ensure that you take the right measures to keep your family and friends safe. Not just while they’re sitting around the fire but when you’ve finished your celebration at the end of the night.

At Red Hill Wrought Iron, our Fire Pits are designed to keep all the wood and kindling safely confined while it is alight. We make special tools with long hands which are designed for moving the logs within the fire safely. When using a fire barbeque, the firewood needs to be cared for in the same way. You don’t want anyone being burned or injured. Keeping it safely contained is the best way to keep everyone out of harms way.

Read More... http://redhillwroughtiron.com.au/blogs/topping-things-off-red-hill-wrought-iron-fire-pit-covers/

#Red Hill Wrought Iron

Add that wow factor to your pool fencing by turning it into a garden sculpture. It will be the talking point for your friends and neigbours.

Nothing beats an outdoor fire, especially in winter. Entertaining outdoors with an outdoor fire pit has never been more enjoyable, thanks to Red Hill Wrought Iron. There is no need to stay indoors when it is chilly outside as we have the perfect outdoor furniture for your garden to suit any weather condition. Stay warm outside all year round.

At Red Hill Wrought Iron we enjoy collaborating with our customers and making sure each piece is made to their specific requirements. We come to your location, take careful measurements and make sure we listen carefully to what you need.

This sometimes results in a brand new product to add to our range and we’re always delighted to do that. It’s certainly very pleasant to help our customers give a special gift to someone they care about. Doing it all in secret adds a bit of fun to the process.

These fire tools are part of our bespoke furniture range and make a complete set for any fireplace or outdoor fire pit. Red Hill Wrought Iron hand crafted these fire tools, including tongs, fire poker and fire scraper in their Red Hill based artisan studio.

Everyone loves an outdoor fire pit and having the right tools on hand will make entertaining a breeze. All fire tools, as like all of the garden furniture and outdoor furniture we hand forge, are made from a heavy gauge solid material. Our bespoke furniture, such as fire tools, are high quality because we select the highest of quality materials to work with.

Everyone loves a good fire – whether you’re snuggling down in front of the fireplace on a cold winter’s night or gathering around the light of an outdoor fire pit entertaining family and friends on a balmy evening. There is a definite art to keeping a fire going well, building the embers and keeping the smoke to a minimum. The logs need to be placed carefully on top of each other to create enough space in between them allowing the flow of air which builds the flame. There is many a fireside hero who believes they have just the right technique to make the perfect fire.

Whatever your level of fire-building finesse, you will need to make sure you have the appropriate tools to make the process easier and safer. With the right set of tools, you’ll be able to move the wood around or place new logs onto the fire without worrying about burning yourself or dropping embers or burning timber. You can manage the logs as they continue to burn and ensure they don’t collapse into the fireplace and start to smolder. There is nothing worse than having smoke billowing into your face.

A decent set of fireside tools will last for many years, especially if they are made of a heavy gauge solid material. At Red Hill Wrought Iron we understand how many of our customers enjoy having a fireplace or combustion heater in their home. We also make outdoor fire pits for lots of customers who enjoy time in their back yard around the fire. It was logical that we make a range of accessories for our customers to use and this includes a range of wood storers and a complete set of tools including tongs, fire poker and fire scraper.

Our newest item is a set of tongs forged from wrought iron. This particularly came about because customers at local markets were telling us that good fire tongs were hard to find.

We design our tongs to be both robust and ornate. We make them with good long handles so that customers can stand a safe distance from the fire whenever they add wood or stack the logs on the fire. They can confidently lift even heavy logs as the wrought iron ensures a strong, solid structure.

Having the right tools on hand makes building the fire easier. It also makes handling the firewood safer for you and your family. You can move the logs as you need to ensure you maintain good combustion and bunch the logs together to keep the stack burning cleanly. We have a couple of styles to choose from to suit customers’ specific needs and we’re open to discussing your particular requirements.

At Red Hill Wrought Iron we focus on making each piece to meet practical needs as well as looking great.

We’ve received some great reports about our outdoor fire pits at Red Hill Wrought Iron. Families have expressed their pleasure about the way the fire pit brings the family together for some good conversation over a few drinks on a balmy night. Of course, the word “food” soon came into their conversation and one customer asked us if we could make a cover over the fire pit, in the style of a BBQ plate, so that they could throw a few of their favourite food items onto the fire as well. Once they were settled around the warmth of the fire pit, they didn’t want to go to the bother of firing up their barbeque or having to go inside the house to cook.

As usual, we listened to our customers because they so often come up with great ideas as well as helping us to work out things like size, style, materials etc. We love creating practical and ornate pieces from wrought iron and other metals in response to their specific requests. So I got to work and designed a cover for the fire pit that was the right size and weight, which could be easily placed on top of the fire pit once the fire had sufficient coals. It had to be easy to lift and move around so that once the cooking process was over it could be lifted off safely and placed to one side ready for the next cook up.

I took into account the fact that the plate would most likely be stored outside near the fit pit so that it was on hand when required. I made it from steel, which can stand up to the weather conditions well, would take the heat of the fire and remain serviceable for the cooking process for the long term. It felt good that with the inclusion of this one piece, the fire pit could change from being used for warmth and atmosphere into a great cooking space when needed – another no fuss, easy solution.

Inside and out

Of course, another change we have to accommodate at Red Hill Wrought Iron is the good old changeable weather. There are times for family and friends to gather together and enjoy the evening outside but once the colder nights hit, then the fireplace inside the house becomes the focal point. The joy of an open fire or the glow of a wood fire heater can be dampened by the need to manage a stack of wood to keep the fire going. There is no joy in constantly lugging one or two logs into the house. This is where our wood holders are a real bonus for our customers. Some like to have a small stack inside right near the fireplace. Other customers like to have a good solid supply of wood just outside the back door so they don’t have trudge out into the cold just to find extra fire fodder.

Our wood holders are designed to hold a good stack of wood and have it contained so that the wood is aired and remains dry during storage. Our Hastings wood stacker can hold holds around two builder’s barrows of wood, and customers like to stack it up on the back porch during autumn so that the wood is ready to go once the weather turns cold. Our Flinders, Shoreham and Provincial holders are compact enough to sit inside near the fireplace so we make them with decorative scrolls to add to interior décor. At Red Hill Wrought Iron, we like to think our decorative and practical pieces help make things easier and more enjoyable for our customers and help them manage their changing needs.

If you have a pathway in your garden that you would like to make a stand-out feature, you may like to consider having an arbor over part or the entire pathway. Arbors make a perfect structure for climbing roses or wisteria, which can be carefully trained to grow over the structure and create a fragrant walkway. An arbor makes a beautiful welcome to a garden and can really grab the attention of anyone walking into the area. If your garden is mainly filled with lower growing foliage, an arbor can also add some height in a very decorative way.

At Red Hill Wrought Iron we have created grand arbors for customers, who want a structure designed to lead guests to the front entrance of their home. After seeing our range of large arbors, one of our customers asked if we could create something more suited to the pathway to their garden area and of course, we were happy to oblige. I wanted to make sure the structure would be strong enough to hold a mature plant so I designed if out of 1″ solid steel. The arbor design includes an internal structure that looks good as garden guests walk under it. There are struts at regular intervals so that the rose bush can be tied to it as it grows. We have now created three sizes to choose from and of course, each one has a different shape depending on the specific needs of the garden we are designing it for.

Created to suit

For anyone who enjoys growing roses and wants something to show off a special climbing rose, a small arbor provides a strong structure without taking any of the attention away from the foliage and flowers.

Many of the lovely public gardens in our capital cities feature pedestrian arbors which provide decorative shade along great lengths of walkways through the garden. Whole tunnels of wisteria have been built and they create an amazing experience for visitors. At Red Hill Wrought Iron we create the right sized structure for a home garden or property. Each arbor is custom designed to the specific location, purpose and size required by our customers. We talk over your needs to make sure we design and construct the most suitable arbor for your needs.

Generally our arbors are designed for function but like all of the pieces we create, we can also make the arbor more decorative if that suits your requirements. It is wonderful to add special features to your garden, which capture the attention of visitors and add details you’ll delight in for many years ahead. An arbor helps you add colour to your garden and show off some of your most treasured climbing plants.

#Red Hill Wrought Iron #A fine feature

We don’t all have room for sprawling gardens but even a compact area can contain a wide range of plants and trees. One way to make the most of the space in a smaller garden area is to grow a number of plants on espalier frames.

The term “espalier” originally referred to a frame or trellis on which plants were trained to grow relatively flat against a structure such as a wall or fence. Today the term relates to the structure as well as the horticultural technique of controlling plant growth in this way.

This practice not only saves space, it can add a decorative feature to walls or fences around a garden. It can be used to cover a large expanse of boring or unsightly fencing. Espalier can also be used to contain an area set aside for edible vegetation on a larger property. Some gardeners use espalier to frame pathways throughout a larger section of their garden.

Many people relate to espalier being used for woody plants such as stoned fruit or citrus trees but the technique can be used most effectively for softer form plants such as tomatoes or grapes. For those who enjoy growing a scented garden, espalier can be a wonderful way to add flowers like roses, azaleas and wisteria. Espalier frames make it easier to see and pick the fruit or flowers on the climbing plants.

You design the feature

At Red Hill Wrought Iron we can design espalier frames for a variety of plants and garden spaces. We come to your property and measure the area and talk over what you hope to create for your garden. The structure is mainly designed for function but many of our customers like the way the metal frames the plant’s foliage.

Starting when the plant is small, the plant tendrils can be trained around the framework. Care must be taken to prune any branches that begin growing out from the frame. Plants and trees can be formed into a V shape, a horizontal T shape or into a fan shape known as a Palmette. The shape is limited only by the gardener’s imagination and their attention to the pruning and tethering process.

As the plant matures, the espalier needs to hold the increased weight of the enlarged trunk and branches. This is where wrought iron proves to be an effective metal for creating the espalier framework.

Helping customers make the most of their garden area is an enjoyable task for us. We take the time to listen to the plans you have made for your garden and create the right structures for your requirements.

#Red Hill Wrought Iron #Space saving features

At Red Hill Wrought Iron, we enjoy working with a variety of metals because of the way they can be adapted into decorative shapes to create something that adds a bit of interest or delight to a home or garden. We never know where our inspiration will come from.

Metal lends itself to being practical as well as decorative, which appeals to two very different sides of the craftsperson working with it. Their creative side is satisfied because they need to turn an idea into a reality – crafting a piece that pleases the eye of the beholder. Their more logical side is also satisfied because the piece has to meet specific functional requirements or suit a customer’s particular needs. This calls on their problem-solving skills.

Ideas and imagination required

Whenever I design a wrought iron decorative piece, the practical aspect is less important. However, the piece still has to be made in a way that means it will last and stand up to any environmental conditions. The beauty of working with unpainted wrought iron is that you can be confident it will improve in appearance over time as it weathers and takes on beautiful rusty-red shades.

Another aspect that I enjoy about my craft is that I never know where and when inspiration will come my way. I am always looking for new design concepts that will bring enjoyment for anyone who chooses to have them in their home, office, country property or garden. Recently, I walked past a house in our local area and spied a metal daisy amongst their foliage. This immediately got me thinking about how we could craft a variation of a flower in metal. I headed home and began working with some designs straight away.

Flowers and foliage made to order

Using a variety of cutting tools and my imagination, I began working with different thicknesses of metal, crafting petals and foliage to create a couple of styles of flower. These met with great approval at a couple of markets I attended, where I featured these new additions to the Red Hill Wrought Iron range.

Like me, members of the crowd were struck by the simple beauty of the pieces as they passed by. They could see them as a fun addition to their garden at home. They started requesting variations on the theme which they felt would work best for their garden.

A bit of fun

As a result, the flowers have been added to our range and we are happy to make them to customer’s specific requirements. It is most enjoyable making something out of the ordinary that can add interest and a bit of fun to any garden setting. It is also satisfying to see ideas bloom into reality.

#Red Hill Wrought Iron

Let’s face it, firelight makes great atmosphere. There’s something about sitting out under the stars, in the glow of flickering firelight, sipping your favourite drink and sharing simple food that fosters good conversation.

It’s a place where friends and family can bend each other’s ear about everything from the latest footy results, to the state of the nation, to the meaning of life. Away from all the distractions of technology and life’s demands, there is space to share ideas, thoughts, and the odd bit of gossip. The only limitation is just how tall you let the tales get by the end of the night!

This kind of space is easy to create on a camping holiday but a lot of our customers like to bring it right into their backyard. That’s where a fire pit helps to create the right kind of atmosphere in a safe and easy way.

Conversation Starters

Fire pits can be a stylish addition to your entertainment area. They look good and families love showing them off to friends and visitors. Our customers tell us that their fire pit is a real conversation starter whenever guests or family visit.

The pits are carefully installed so family members can gather around them safely. We want our customers to enjoy this kind of experience over and over again, so Red Hill fire pits are built from 10mm thick steel to ensure their longevity. At 100 kg in weight, there is little chance of them dislodging and causing a hazard for anyone sitting near them.

Conversation Creators

Just recently we received some feed back from a customer from Taree in NSW. He saw our fit pits at the Red Hill Market and we organized freight from Melbourne to his address. He was contacting us to let us know that the delivery went well and the fire pit arrived damage-free. The family was so excited when it arrived they decided to ‘christen’ the fire pit that night. They were enjoying their time together so much they sat up till 3am having a good yarn and laughing together around the fire.

When we hear this kind of feedback we know we have done what we set out to do – to provide a simple, practical item that looks great and creates loads of enjoyment for the whole family.

#Red Hill Fire Pits

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