Simonstown Architectural

Caroline Pilkington

I have run Simonstown Architectural from our home in Coole, Co Westmeath since 2004.  It started with my love of gardens and gardening and the beauty of including structures, fountains and urns into the landscape.  We have worked on many projects large and small and run a very personal service, taking great interest in our clients' projects - overseeing every stage of the project from the original contact, through manufacturing to the logistics of delivery.

Our Products

Since 2004 we have been the Irish agent for UK based Chilstone, makers of fine cast stone since 1953. Chilstone specialise in reproducing, with great accuracy and attention to detail, a wide range of ornaments, many of which are reproduced from the original antique item. All items are handmade and hand finished in reconstituted stone using a special process that has been developed over 67 years. The finished item has the colour and texture of natural Portland stone and its composition encourages the spontaneous growth of mosses and lichens so it ages naturally. https://simonstownarchitectural.ie/stone-garden-ornaments/

We are also the Irish agents for Capital Garden Products, also UK based,  who produce very high quality fibreglass pots and planters.  These come in many different designs and a wide variety of finishes from weathered bronze, terracotta, lead, antiqued lead, aluminium, copper, stone and rust and can be seen in some of the most prestigious homes, gardens, hotels and public buildings worldwide. https://simonstownarchitectural.ie/pots-and-planters

We work closely with Irish Garden designers, landscape architects, architects and Contractors.

See our portfolio, click on the headings below.

Chilstone Architectural Elements

Chilstone Garden Ornaments

Pots and Planters

Water Butts, Taps and Rain Savers

Caroline Pilkington

Stone Restoration and Replication

Working with cast stone enables Chilstone to provide copies or replicas of what might have already existed on a building as architectural elements or statues or urns in a garden.  If you would like a quote for Restoration or Replication work just call Caroline on 086 4517508.

Westport House

In 2021 we worked with the Contractors at Westport House, Co Mayo to cast various elements from the house that were in need of replacing.  These included the finial urns off the pediment on the front of the house, balusters and half balusters, lions heads, swags and plaques from the terraces at the back of the house.

I took the original pieces to Chilstone where moulds were made and new casts taken in a colour to match the originals.  The original finial urns from the pediment were held together with chicken wire and so a full new finial was carved in clay, a mould was taken from this and four new finials produced in cast stone.  These new ones now grace the pediment.

The new balusters and swags are all in place and it is virtually impossible to tell the new ones from the originals.

 

New finial
The new finial copied from the original at Westport House
Old finial
Old finial from Westport House held together by chicken wire
New finials
The new finials on the pediment at Westport House
Westport House
Section of terrace showing damaged swags and lions head at Westport House

 

A new swag with bows, drops and patera and lions head with a garland of fruit