Press Release. London / Thursday 30th March 2023… Gibilaro Design, https://gibilarodesign.co.uk/ a family business founded in 1995, has been collecting and restoring rare antique fire grates over the last 20 years and now offers the most comprehensive collection in the world.
The business started as a design studio and workshop but now comprises a large showroom, offices and a newly opened warehouse to store the collection of items that they have meticulously restored. When it comes to antiques, these are the high end of “high end”, with fire grates from Gibilaro Design’s collection being fitted in both the largest house and largest penthouse in London (Hampstead & Knightsbridge respectively). Their pieces have also been sold to private members’ clubs, country homes and luxury properties in the UK and the US. With the antique fire grate market increasingly turning to Chinese-built replicas, Gibilaro Design believes they are doing important work by collecting and restoring original pieces.
Fine fire grates from the 18th and 19th centuries are much sought-after today due to the incredible creativity and workmanship involved in their manufacture. In the less distracting times before television, the fireplace was the centrepiece of the room – providing warmth, light, and a delightful ambience. As the focal point of the room, the design of the fire grate was of the utmost importance; they were considered works of art to be enjoyed alongside the hypnotic glow of the flames and the gentle crackling of logs.
Gibilaro Design was founded by Jesse Gibilaro a graduate design engineer. The company developed a specialised service, manufacturing one-off furniture commissions and from time to time restoring antiques. They came to specialise in fire grates upon realising there were very few people with the skills and knowledge to return these works to their original splendour. Over 25 years, Gibilaro Design perfected the process of restoring and reproducing the finest fire grates ever made. They fast became the go-to people for interior designers, antique dealers and architects looking for fine fire grates for their client’s homes.
In recent years, antique fire grate suppliers have been increasingly turning to Chinese-built replicas, due to the lower cost and ability to choose custom sizes. However, these replicas are very easy to spot and can never match the originals, even when artificial ageing techniques are employed. So Gibilaro Design realised there was an opportunity to build a comprehensive collection of rare, original fire grates. Their in-house workshop and substantial experience gave them the unique advantage of being able to restore the pieces. Jesse Gibilaro explains,
“We are much more interested in preserving the original works instead of producing replicas. Of course, we do not have control over the size and shape of the pieces, but our collection has now grown to the point where we can offer most customers exactly what they need” said Jesse Gibilaro
Gibilaro Design’s intimate knowledge of how the pieces are manufactured helps them to establish providence, which can be difficult as earlier fire grates generally are not engraved with the creator’s name. The use of particular tools and techniques gives each piece a specific, “signature” which can be used to establish who made it.
Visiting Gibilaro Design’s showroom is like taking a trip through the history of 18th and 19th-century art. They stock Neo-classical fire grates which were inspired by the majesty of ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman architecture with its grand pillars and perfect order and symmetry. They also have several rather striking pieces from the Gothic revival era which represented a longing to return to the mysticism and morality of the medieval age, and fire grates of this style were adored with complex patterns and mythical creatures reminiscent of the great medieval cathedrals. Later saw the advent of the Arts and Crafts movement which rejected the soul-destroying mass production of the industrial revolution in favour of fine workmanship, intricate detail and organic forms. Arts and Crafts fire grates are some of the most sought-after today, their flowing curves and nature-inspired design making them seem almost alive. Gibilaro Design has some of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts fireplaces from Philip Webb who is considered to be the father of the movement.
The collection features some of the most acclaimed designers from the 18th and 19th centuries including Thomas Elsley, Thomas Jeckyll, Robert Adam, and Sir John Soane. They also have several pieces from Skidmore and Sons, considered to be one of the finest manufacturers from the Georgian and Regency periods.
As the collection continues to grow, Gibilaro Design is working to raise awareness of these unique pieces of art. The pieces can be viewed online at gibilarodesign.co.uk and showroom visits are available by appointment.
For more press information please contact info@gibilarodesign.co.uk
