Author: charnwoodstoves

‘The Pig – Restaurants with Rooms’ are a wonderful group of establishments that have beautiful and nutritious kitchen gardens at their heart. They are committed to home-grown and local produce and celebrate the seasons, using only the freshest and most authentic ingredients. Their chefs work directly with the kitchen gardeners to create menus centered around British garden food of the very highest quality. Some Charnwood team members have been lucky enough to visit and taste their delights while also supplying several of the Pig Hotels with wood-burning stoves.

Read on to learn more about the Pig Hotels and why Charnwood fits the ambience perfectly!

The Pig at Bridge Place

Located three miles south of Canterbury and just 56 minutes by train from central London, is the Pig at Bridge Place. Full of intriguing history, this old building holds a place in music folklore, having hosted events featuring rock gods Led Zeppelin among others.

Secret stairways lead to panelled rooms with endless cosy nooks to hunker down in. Bedrooms have far reaching views out across the Kentish countryside and are characterfully finished with many featuring a wood-burning stove!

The Pig at Harlyn Bay

The Pig at Harlyn Bay is in one of the most historic houses in Cornwall, dating back to the 15th century. It has far-reaching sea views and is only 10 mins drive from the famous port of Padstow. With plenty of character, original features and gorgeous gardens, the Pig at Harlyn Bay is a perfect getaway destination to enjoy incredible food and truly inspiring surroundings.

Charnwood Island I, II & III

All three Charnwood Island models were chosen to suit different sized rooms. The Island’s uncomplicated looks and gentle curves sit well in any situation, from cosy bars, to inviting snugs and quirky bedrooms. The large picture windows offer a spectacular view of the fire for guests and really enhance the atmosphere.

All Island models are Defra Exempt and easily meet Clean Air Act requirements. They have an efficiency of over 85% and an extremely low smoke particle level of 9mg/m3 which easily outperforms the Ecodesign limit of 40mg/m3.

Escapism

Much like staying at one of the The Pig locations, using a woodstove offers real escapism. The process of lighting a fire, then sitting back to enjoy the warmth and crackle of the mesmerising flames, allows one to switch off from everyday stresses quite unlike anything else. A warm fire signifies access to cooking, warmth, and shelter and when these primary needs are catered for, we instinctively feel better about life.

Below are some quotes from our customers from a recent well-being survey that highlights this phenomenon:

“Fire is deep within the human psyche and sits in a happy place in our limbic brain. You get lost from the day to day in a fire – it’s a little bit of wilderness in the order of the day to day.”

“I’ve long felt a disconnect between earning money in the corporate world and home life. Here is something with a direct connection – the family stay warm through my simple effort.”

“Helps to switch off from the technology that takes over our everyday lives. You feel a sense of achievement when the first sparks ignite.”

Ready to discuss your woodstove options?

We strongly recommend that you contact an official Charnwood stockist, where the before and after-sales support will be of a standard approved by us.

If you wish to stay at any of The Pig locations you can make a booking here!

In difficult times it can be easy to let our creative minds go into hibernation and the last couple of years haven’t been easy for many. This autumn a new venture from the Isle of Wight is inviting you to take a moment to awaken your creativity. The women behind the idea, jeweller Kelly Fenton and Amy Langridge of Moor Farm say they wanted to join forces to offer something nourishing for the soul and felt a creative Autumn retreat would be just the tonic before winter arrives.

Autumn Moments will be a weekend of workshops and well-being designed to help find your flow.

“Amy and I were chatting one evening after a sea swim and discovered we both shared the same dream of creating a gentle space where people could learn new skills, make beautiful things, and immerse themselves in the incredible natural surroundings here on the Isle of Wight.” Kelly, who will run a bespoke jewellery workshop during the Isle of Wight retreat, explains. “We have worked together to create something that we hope will give people a chance to reset and come away restored.”

The Isle of Wight retreat will be held in the sympathetically converted barns at Moor Farm, nestled just outside the idyllic village of Godshill, where guests will be encouraged to switch off and enjoy the countryside in-between the jewellery, mobile making, and aromatherapy workshops on offer.

Each barn has its very own Charnwood stove, so guests can sit back and enjoy the warmth of a roaring fire while reflecting on a wonderful day spent together. If blessed with clear skies, Charnwood Fireballs are available to gather around outside to enjoy the night sky.

“We both deeply appreciate how lucky we are to live on such a beautiful Island and hope those who join us for Autumn Moments will become as enchanted with the place as we are.” said Amy who will host the weekend at Moor Farm. “We’re delighted to also be offering a contemporary mobile making workshop with Claire, a Sussex-based artist from ‘In the Making’. Having been admirers of her colourful work for some time, it’s a real treat to finally be able to work with her on this project”

“As much as we want to share the beauty of the Isle of Wight with those who come here to visit, we also relish the opportunity to bring talented makers across that stretch of water to share their skills with Islanders who might otherwise struggle to get access due to our unique location. We hope this will be the first of many unique retreats held here.”

Autumn Moments at Moor Farm takes place on 18th – 21st November 2022 More info can be found at www.moorfarmiow.co.uk/workshops Instagram: @autumn.moments

Tiny Homes Holidays is a boutique retreat of six architect designed, off grid Tiny Homes on the Isle of Wight. Charnwood were delighted to supply them with a range of wood-burning stoves, while our sister company Vlaze supplied vitreous enamel heatshields and splashbacks.

Read on to learn about these amazing tiny homes and why our products are a perfect complement.

The dream tiny home experience! 

A choice of 6 beautiful tiny homes in a range of styles caters to those looking to escape into nature to get a taste of the simple life. A sympathetic blend of wood textures helps the dwellings fit perfectly into their natural surroundings.  

All homes come with a full range of amenities for your comfort including a shower, compostable WC and wood-burning stove for both heat and heartwarming experiences with family and friends. After all, there is nothing quite like staying in an idyllic spot with the radiant heat of a wood-burning stove to get you into holiday mode. 

Additional comforts include pristine white linen and towels, along with fresh flowers, welcome cakes and hot drink supplies. You can enjoy a BBQ on your outside deck and even book a SPA session! 

Kindred x Charnwood C-Five 

The C-Five has a similar output to the C-Four but is built with landscape proportions to take a slightly longer log length. It looks so cosy in this tiny home! 

The stove is fire brick lined and in certain situations, can be installed without the need for external air due to its rated output of 5kW. This stove meets Clean Air Act requirements for smoke control exemption; allowing wood to be burnt in smoke control areas. 

Hygge x Charnwood Cove 1

With a rated output of 4kW the Cove 1 can be installed without the need for external air in certain situations. It’s not just the dogs who love it! 

Please note: Usually dogs are not allowed at Tiny Homes Holidays – A concession was made for Toast (the Charnwood mascot) as part of the shoot. Also as part of the new 2022 Ecodesign regulation this stove will be discontinued from 31 December 2021. To view our full range of clearSkies/Ecodesign Ready stoves please click here 

Wellbeing 

All the homes are uniquely and carefully named to capture their essence, with Hygge being our particular favourite. Hygge is a Danish word that represents wellbeing, pronounced Hoo-gaa and is all about nesting. A wood-burning stove plays a significant role in creating this type of atmosphere and makes a holiday feel truly restful. 

Studies have shown how hearth and campfires can influence arterial blood pressure and defray the costs of the social brain through fireside relaxation. Here is a section from the study: 

‘Results indicated consistent blood pressure decreases in the fire-with-sound condition, particularly with a longer duration of stimulus, and enhancing effects of absorption and prosociality. Findings confirm that hearth and campfires induce relaxation as part of a multisensory, absorptive, and social experience.’ 

A retreat such as this is the ultimate vacation for rest and recuperation. Getting back to nature allows you to let go of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You can get a sense of this ‘reconnecting to nature’ in your own home with the addition of your very own wood burning stove. It provides a focal point in the home that brings real respite when you need it. 

In fact, 93% of 1227 Charnwood wood-burning stove users acknowledge their stove’s positive impact on their wellbeing. 

Read about our customers’ experience with their log-burner and how it helps their wellbeing! 

Stove Pod  

For those of you inspired by this article, here is some great news! Last year Charnwood released the Charnwood Stove Pod, a complete fireplace solution designed for small space living and glamping accommodation. It’s compatible with the highly efficient Charnwood Aire 3, and the newly released Cranmore 5.  

The Charnwood Stove Pod can be placed on any hard, flat surface without the need for an additional hearth and creates a safe, protected focal point for the room. It is available in a matt black powder coat with the option to add a VLAZE vitreous enamel liner for a stylish, easy to clean finish. 

For more info check out our blog which explains the latest HETAS regulations for wood stoves in tiny home accommodation. 

A growing tendency towards online shopping has led to everyone having more packaging material at home than ever before. As a business, we rely on a variety of high-quality packing materials to ship our goods safely around the world. We are mindful of the impact that can have, and this blog will provide some great ideas for how you can reuse and repurpose them.

Read on to get at least 15 great ideas for how to reuse your Charnwood packaging.

Cardboard boxes

One packaging material every household usually has in abundance is cardboard. Whilst recycling is better than nothing, ‘reusing’ is the best solution for your cardboard waste. At present millions of tonnes of usable boxes are being pulped and then made back into cardboard boxes – producing exactly what was started with. This is a huge waste of resources and energy, that is as bad for the pocket as for the environment. Here are some great ideas on how to reuse that cardboard box!

Please note: For the following ideas, it is important to use untreated chemical-free biodegradable cardboard which is what we use for A.J Wells, Vlaze and Charnwood packaging. Also, remove any sticky tape, large staples, and labels that are stuck to the box before using it in the garden.

In the Garden

Composting

Cardboard is an ideal source of carbon for composting. Simply shred or tear your cardboard into small pieces so that it will break down more quickly.

Mulch

Place shredded cardboard around your plants but make sure the cardboard mulch is not in direct contact with the stems. Water the cardboard to speed up the decomposing process.

For those who grow vegetables using the ‘no dig’ method, our large boxes are ideal for mulch beds and don’t even require shredding! Watch ‘No Dig’ guru Charles Dowding to get some further tips.

Controlling Weeds

A couple of layers of cardboard is a useful tool to suppress weeds. Place them at the bottom of a new raised bed to stop weeds growing through to the topsoil.

Protecting Raised Beds

Cardboard can be used to cover and protect raised beds during the winter. It helps by stopping heavy rain from draining valuable nutrients away. The cardboard will slowly decay and help prepare the soil so it’s ready for Spring planting.

Encouraging Worms

Worms love wet cardboard and your garden loves worms! Worms aerate the ground and help with composting and mixing. Use cardboard in a multitude of ways to encourage worms to take residence.

Clearing a Pathway

Cardboard is also effective at clearing ground and can be used to create a natural pathway between vegetable rows. Just place cardboard on the dirt where you want your path and then cover with bark chips.

In the home

Decorations

Old cardboard is great for creating decorations for any occasion – birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, you name it! A pair of scissors, some paint or felt tips and a good imagination can go a long way. Cutting out people’s names or ages and decorating them for wall hangings is just one lovely idea. Check out YouTube for loads more!

Moving home, stylish storage or shipping

There is a range of creative storage ideas that add a little style and glamour to the humble cardboard box. With just a cheap spool of twine, you can transform a cardboard box into a far more expensive-looking designer option – who doesn’t like a saving?!

Castle for the kids

The most fun option and one to keep the kids happy and take their artistic and architectural skills to a new level – check out this link for some inspiring ideas!

Corn Starch Pellets (PLA)

We use corn-starch PLA pellets inside boxes to provide added protection to our products during transportation. Whilst they do look and function much like polystyrene pellets, they are actually made of a plastic substitute (PLA) and are fully biodegradable and compostable.

Please note that while corn-starch PLA materials are compostable, the correct conditions must exist. Oxygen and light are required, which breaks downs the PLA into carbon dioxide and water within several months.

Shredded Paper & Cardboard

We also use shredded paper and cardboard from our offices to pack some items. Because we use vegetable-based inks they are suitable to be used as fire lighters in your wood-burning stoves.

Wood Pallets

Kindling

Our wood pallets are made in-house from virgin, kiln-dried, untreated, soft wood which makes them ideal kindling for your woodstove. Just dismantle the pallet and carefully remove any nails before breaking down into kindling.

Here are some other essential wood-burning stove tips.

Compost bin

Compost bins need to have sufficient gaps to aerate organic matter. Wood pallets are an ideal size and with their long gaps between panels create the ideal walls for a compost bin.

Vertical planter

So easy to make and look amazing in the garden! There are few design variations, but you can easily fit plant pots or potting trays in between the slots with minimal effort. Check out the video above for ideas.

Plastic Bags

With plastic bags becoming scarcer and rightly so, when we do get them, it is imperative that we reuse them – particularly when they are sizable. You can use the big plastic bag that comes with some of our products for protecting and storing large items such as a cot mattress or surplus bed linen in the loft.

If you want some great tips for reusing smaller bags then check out this blog on great ways to reuse plastic grocery bags.

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We see the packaging we ship our products in as part of our product offering. A high-quality material that with a little effort and imagination can be repurposed and benefit the end-user and environment.

We will continue to look for ways to reduce excess packaging while aiming to use environmentally friendly materials and encouraging reusing where possible. Together with you, we hope to minimise any negative impact that packaging can create on the environment.

To read about our Net Zero 2050 commitments and plan of action as well as our other eco-initiatives click here.

After two years of virtual Dealer Days, it was wonderful that this year we could celebrate our Dealer Event and our 50th birthday in person with so many friendly faces. With delicious food, fantastic entertainment, and the gorgeous Isle of Wight countryside, we shared many good times and highlighted what’s in store for the year ahead.

Read on to learn about 4 exciting new stove releases, our company vision and of course the results of the famous Black Dog Awards!

Introducing the AJ Way

Reaching our 50-year milestone is a chance to reflect on what matters most to us as a company and allows us to focus on our vision and mission for the future.

We have recently introduced the ‘AJ Way’ which is a companywide programme that encompasses our ethos and road map. It seeks to bring everyone in the company together to collaborate and draw on all our expertise to communicate how best to move the business forward in line with our core values. To build relationships, transform lives and create products that delight people.

A.J Wells & Sons have steadily grown from 3 men working from their shed to 180 employees, including 17 family members, on a site spanning 50,000 sq. Ft and servicing a global market. We have a loyal local workforce with decades of expertise and achieving our vision starts by focusing on being a great place to work. A place that is rewarding, inspiring and facilitates the innovation needed to continue creating market-leading products that are sustainable, positive for the environment and delight our customers.

4 New Stoves Released This Year!

THE NEW CHARNWOOD HAVEN

We are excited to present the Charnwood Haven, a brand-new compact wood-burning cooker to celebrate our 50 years in business. Based on the dimensions of our Island III, the Charnwood Haven is designed for cabins, bothies, off-grid living and smaller homes. It has the functional charm of a rustic range cooker, but with all our clean burn technology included.

It provides a 6kw output and comes equipped with a well-sized oven and large hot plate enabling you to cook with a wide array of pots, pans, and trivets. The integrated thermometer allows for greater temperature control and cooking accuracy. It’s a surprisingly versatile and delicious way of cooking, allowing you to create soups, stews, roasts, baking and more!

Available in our standard colours and with either high legs or a store stand that will line the Haven up with a standard 900mm worktop.

Available from Autumn 2022

THE NEW CHARNWOOD CRANMORE 3

This new release will be the latest addition to the Cranmore collection. Based on the hugely popular Aire 3, this stove is more classic in style yet features a large picture window. With a 3kw output, it is designed to fit into our Stove Pod and makes for a perfect solution for smaller rooms, cabins and the wide range of tiny homes available.

Coming with an integrated ash pan for ease of use and compatible with a cooktop, it is the ideal small fireplace for alternative and versatile living.

Available in our standard colours with a high leg option only.

Available from August 2022

THE NEW C-FIVE DUO

A multi-fuel version of our ever-popular C-Five model. It is fitted with a fixed grate, with the stove burning wood and mineral fuels equally well with high efficiency and low emissions.

Available in all our standard colours.

THE CHARNWOOD SKYE E700

“Load it, Light it, Leave it”

The Skye E700 is a new intelligent microprocessor-controlled stove that is set to revolutionize the way we burn wood. Load the fire, close the door, set your room temperature using the Charnwood app and let the stove do the rest. It is as simple as that!

With an impressive 7kw output and fitted with intelligent I-blu technology, the Skye E700 is a revolutionary stove that dramatically improves stove efficiency by removing human error. No user intervention is required – apart from simply lighting and reloading.

As thoughtful in style as it is in function, the Skye E700 has a refreshing design aesthetic; classically minimal with a soft modern edge. The Skye E700 is, in our expert opinion, without question the future of wood-burning.

Available in the USA Autumn 2022

Coming to Europe 2023

Overview of Dealer Event & The Black Dog Awards

This year, due to high demand, we decided to split the event over 3 days and set things up a little differently. On Wednesday 11th our first group arrived, and we started the day with a delicious lunch of wood-fired pizza followed by local ice cream. After an introduction in the studio and the unveiling of our exciting new products, we split, with one group touring the factory and enjoying cheese and wine in the VLAZE garden while the other half stayed in the studio where they discovered more about the company’s 50-year history, had a presentation on the ‘AJ Way’ programme and got their hands on the new products. After a break for coffee, the groups then swapped around.

The day ended with a well-earned rest at the hotels followed by a dinner hosted by foodie favourites the Royal Hotel, which is situated in the historic town of Ventnor.

On Thursday, group 1 headed over to the beautiful West Wight where we held several fun activities including clay pigeon shooting, axe throwing, aqua park, dog walking and a tour of Farringford house. As group 2 began to arrive we all came together for the first time and shared a delicious group lunch of gourmet burgers and chips at Tapnell Farm’s Cow CO. Here we held our coveted ‘Black Dog’ award ceremony where we award the Premier Dealers who have shown an exceptional commitment to Charnwood over the last year. Just before we had to say our goodbyes to Group 1, we took the opportunity for a drone shot of everyone to commemorate the momentous occasion.

After lunch, group 2 enjoyed the activities before heading to the hotel to check-in and get ready for dinner.

On Friday, the Charnwood crew reset for another day of product launches and discussions as we prepared to welcome group 2 to the factory. We had a quick morning refreshment, and we went straight into the studio to begin our action-packed morning. We finished at lunch and enjoyed pizza and ice cream before it was time to say our goodbyes.

Congratulations to the following on your Black Dog award: 

Bonk & Co – Golden Gold – The most sales over our 50 year period. 

The Arcade – Best New Product Sales 21/22 

Direct Stoves – Top Dealer N England 

RW Knight – Top Dealer SW England 

Stoake – Top Dealer SE England 

Bonk & Co – Top Dealer Scotland 

The Arcade – Top Dealer Wales 

The Woodburning Centre – Top Dealer Ireland 

Woodstoves Ireland – Top Dealer Northern Ireland 

The Fireplace Emporium – Top Dealer ROW 

Select Stoves & Fireplaces – Best Newcomer 

We would like to say thank you to all of you who attended our 2022 Dealer Event and our 50th birthday celebration. It was wonderful to see everyone, and we really hope you enjoyed your time with us. Finally, we want to finish by thanking everyone from suppliers, employees, dealers, customers, collaborators and of course family, who have made the last 50 years so incredibly special. Here’s to another 50! 

It was great to return to the beautiful and romantic city of Verona and attend Progetto Fuoco, billed as the world’s most important trade fair for biomass heating systems. Despite a pandemic enforced 3-month delay, it was exciting to finally exhibit alongside our wonderful Italian distributors Zeta Linea and our sister companies Vlaze and Bodj.

We displayed the full range of products on sale in Italy including the Aire 3 and Stove Pod, in addition to several Bodj accessories plus our Vlaze heat shields and outdoor kitchen units. With Italians being renowned for impeccable taste, we were delighted by the positive response and recognition our products received from such a savvy audience. There was lots of international interest all around, and it was a lovely opportunity to catch up with our global customers.

Read on to hear about the products that wowed the crowd!

Charnwood Aire 3

The Aire 3 is one of the most efficient EcoDesign compliant stoves on the market, demonstrating 86% efficiency on independent tests and with a maximum ClearSkies rating of 5 stars. It has a modern and sophisticated look, which is perfectly suited to a stylish Italian casa.

The large ceramic glass window is designed to maximise the viewing area and your enjoyment of the fire. The Aire 3 also benefits from being easy to operate, with a single air control, removable ashpan and a cool-to-touch handle for safe reloading. With a 2-5 kW output, it is the perfect size for most small-medium size rooms and provides a crystal-clear burn.

Charnwood Stove Pod

The Stove Pod provides a sleek, safe, and secure enclosure and is designed for ease of installation. The Stove Pod pairs perfectly with the Aire 3 to create a complete fireplace solution designed for small space living.

The Charnwood Stove Pod is designed for cabins, yurts, tents, boats, home offices and other tiny home accommodation. It can be placed on any hard, flat surface without the need for an additional hearth, creating a safe, protected focal point for the room. It is available in a matt black powder coat with the option to add a VLAZE vitreous enamel liner for a stylish, easy to clean finish.

Bodj G-Holder

Bodj fireside accessories are handmade, sustainably sourced, and beautifully designed for the ethical and style-conscious home. The ergonomic G-Holder (pictured above) is designed to take up minimal space within the living room or fireside area and holds just the right number of logs for an evening fire. The ironwork frame is tightly handwoven with rattan. Ideal for carrying and storing logs or for use as a magazine holder. A perfect partner for your Charnwood stove!

Vlaze Heat Shields

VLAZE heat shields are designed and made in Britain by our company A.J Wells & Sons. The exceptional porcelain enamel surface of VLAZE is a luxurious, durable finish that withstands extremes of heat protecting your home, beautifully.

Over the years Vlaze, in collaboration with Charnwood, has released a wide range of wonderful designer finishes in a multitude of sizes and has established itself as not only the original, but also the best wood-stove heat shield on the market.

Creating the perfect fireplace requires blending several key factors, including functionality/efficiency, safety, and beauty. Once you have chosen the perfect stove, it’s time to consider how you will protect your space. Click here to find out more.

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It was wonderful to meet so many people from across the globe and share everything we are working on with you all. We are as determined as ever to lead the way with the very latest in woodstove technology and contribute to providing a sustainable energy solution that benefits both the homeowner and the environment. Finally, thank you to all who stopped by to visit us – it really was a pleasure to meet you all! Thanks to the team at Progetto Fuoco and of course, Zeta Linea – we hope to see you all soon!

If you’re searching for a timeless decor style that feels warm, comforting and characterful, you’re in the right place.

Today, we’ll be sharing some timeless rustic home decor ideas for the entire home. From cosy living rooms and country-style kitchens to charming outdoor areas, this post will give you all the inspiration you need to introduce evergreen rustic interior design inside and outside your home.

1. Champion neutral colours

Country chic design is all about creating a close connection to nature – and finding the right colour palette is key to getting this right.

To nail the rustic vibe, neutral hues are an absolute must. The right blend of white, cream, beige, brown, grey and even black will evoke an earthy, grounded feel in interiors throughout your home.

Soft, pale tones work beautifully as base colours for walls and floors throughout your home, while darker shades like brown, black and grey are better used as accent colours to bring depth and variety to your light canvas.

This restrained and considered colour pallet can add longevity to rustic decor, ensuring it ages effortlessly with just a few minor tweaks. These could include introducing colourful, on-trend decorative touches like artwork, fabrics and more for an affordable and easy refresh.

2. Go organic with integral materials

The concept of rustic decor is continually being reinvented and can refer to a huge variety of styles, from wood-centric alpine chalets to elegant Tuscan villas and everyday farmhouses. However, all rustic decor styles centre around the use of organic materials and lots of texture.

So, if you want to successfully pull off that rustic feel, choosing the right materials for integral design elements like structural features, furniture and flooring is key.

Whether you’re redecorating your bathroom, bedroom or garden, wood, stone and organic materials are essential. Firstly, they tie in perfectly with a neutral colour scheme. Secondly, many natural materials come with exceptional durability, not to mention bags of textural value and charm.

Inside your home, celebrate original features like chunky wooden fireplace mantles, exposed ceiling beams or stone feature walls. If you don’t have these, create your own with decorative touches like wood panels, handmade furniture, stone-look floor tiles and more.

Outside, you can revel in nature to convey a truly authentic rustic feel. Use your garden’s natural elements – like established trees and flowerbeds – as focal points, as well as structured elements like raised beds made from wood, stone. For pathways and patios, champion practicality and style with durable, rustic outdoor tiles in a neutral colour.

3. Add your own finishing touches

The right colour and materials will go a long way towards creating a homely, welcoming rustic interior design that has timeless appeal. However, you need to embellish these spaces with your own personal touches to add character and prevent them from feeling bland and boring.

The trick here is to champion classic designs and adopt a less-is-more mentality. Rather than stuffing rooms with lots of trendy trinkets and kitsch features, take a pared-back approach using a selection of key rustic-themed features that add bags of charm.

We’re talking focal points like an attention-grabbing firepit in the garden or a wood burning stove in the living room which will instantly make the space feel cosy and warm. Elsewhere, double up on soft furnishings that bring texture and a layered look. For long-lasting natural fabrics, wool, leather, hessian and linen give that earthy vibe, while faux fur and even crushed velvet can create a soft and indulgent finish.

When it comes to decorative elements, rustic interior design allows you to channel your eclectic side. But to ensure this doesn’t feel cluttered and dated, practise some restraint here. If possible, stick with a rough colour scheme for added cohesion – and choose a few anchoring accent pieces like a vintage rug, an oversized mirror or antique planters to draw the eye in. For smaller trinkets, go with clusters of mismatched, differently sized items in groups of 3 to 5, as these will add a little extra character to spaces inside and out.

While rustic interior design has changed over the years, if you follow these golden rules of rustic home decorating, you can create a stunning aesthetic that will stand the test of the time.

Whether you’re revamping your garden, living room, kitchen or bedroom, the right colour, materials and finishing touches will instantly give your home a bonafide country feel that will never be off-trend.

Author bio:

Suhayl Laher works at Tiles Direct, one of the UK’s largest independent tile distributors and retailers – bringing design inspiration to homeowners, architects and developers.

Header photo by Alisha Hieb on Unsplash

Last week marked A.J Wells and Sons’ 50th anniversary and when taking a moment to reflect it is quite staggering to see how far we have come. From a local Island business to reaching markets across the globe, it is a testament to how much has been achieved that we can honestly say the time has just flown by. We look back with a sense of pride and look forward with real excitement – read on to hear about our amazing 50-year adventure!

The story so far…

Charnwood

In 1972, Alfred Wells and his two sons Alastair and John started a small engineering business in the idyllic coastal village of Niton on the Isle of Wight. Against the backdrop of the ‘70s oil crisis and the spread of Dutch Elm Disease in the UK, the trio decided to produce a small woodburning stove as an alternative way to help people heat their homes and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The first step was to take a prototype stove to a small agricultural fair, where, to their amazement, a man came over and placed an order for twenty stoves! This kicked started the company and throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s the Charnwood range of stoves continued to grow and were sold across the UK. This momentum has never let up with new stoves regularly coming to market, with the latest, the Charnwood Cranmore, being incredibly well received.
 

Over the years, more family members joined, and the company moved the factory to Newport and invested in machinery and equipment in order to bring the manufacturing under one roof. From the original 3 in their ‘shed’ to now employing over 180 people in a site spanning 50,000 sq. ft, the business is enjoying record demand for its market-leading stoves.

A.J Wells Vitreous Enamellers

In 1990 A vitreous enamel plant was installed enabling the stoves to be enamelled in-house. This major investment was the start of a new arm for the company: A.J Wells Vitreous Enamellers. Shortly after, the Company began to produce signage specified for its long-lasting and durable finish. One of the first major contracts included London’s iconic Barbican Centre. This began a relationship with TFL which has seen A.J Wells become the principal supplier of signage and cladding for the London Underground. In 2007 the company manufactured much of the new DLR signage and London Overground in preparation for the London 2012 Olympics. There have been many standout projects since, with two of our most recent (below) getting a significant amount of media exposure.

Crossrail Elizabeth Line
 

The Elizabeth line railway, built by Crossrail for Transport for London, is now spanning more than 100km across the capital. The railway serves 41 stations including 10 major new London stations from Paddington to Abbey Wood. A.J Wells & Sons designed, developed, manufactured, and installed a range of signage and cladding solutions across the network including Tottenham Court Road, Paddington, Whitechapel, and Canary Warf. Read more…

TfL Northern Line Extension
 

London saw the first major tube expansion this century open to the public on Monday 20th September 2021. A.J Wells & Sons are proud to have surveyed, designed, manufactured, and installed the signage throughout the 1 billion pound Transport for London Northern Line Extension (NLE) project.

The NLE extension will serve two new stations; Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station. The whole area is undergoing massive redevelopment, with homes being built and many jobs created. Read more…

Bodj

The Bodj initiative was first conceived in 2001 when Ced Wells (under funding from The RSA and The British Council) travelled to Cambodia to work for a fair-trade business support organisation, Bright Arrows Development Ltd.

Upon his return to the UK and after learning about the experience and wonderful work that had taken place, A.J Wells & Sons (the family business) decided it wanted to get involved. As a long-established British manufacturer of Charnwood wood-burning stoves, the company decided to support one of the villages’ mini enterprises by selling their terracotta tiles. The product married well with the wood stoves and hence ‘Bodj’ was born.

A further three projects were established involving basketware, ironworking and recycling facilities which now produce a wonderful range of fireside products. Bodj seeks to strike a balance between western design practicalities and age-old Cambodian traditions.

A.J Wells and Bodj aim to continue assisting in building up these and other communities with carefully monitored fair trade practices: to relieve poverty and to improve social and environmental conditions – while respecting the culture and environment these villagers live in.

Vlaze

In 2013, A.J Wells & Sons featured as one of the faces of the ‘Business is Great Britain’ campaign. At the same time as being recognised for our existing business we were well on the way to starting a new division focused on a new exciting opportunity. In 2014 A.J Wells established Vlaze: a brand to focus on vitreous enamel for the living environment. Debuting enamel fireplace panels and heatshields for stove surrounds in collaboration with Charnwood. The business grew from strength to strength and undertook commissions for restaurants, hotels, and residential projects with a range of leading designers and architects including Thomas Heatherwick, Tom Dixon, Yinka Ilori and the Soho House Group.

Awards

Over the years we have received a number of awards we are proud of. In particular, the Green Business of the Year Award from our local chamber of commerce resonated strongly as it recognised a key part of the company ethos. However, the most significant award to date remains the honour of receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade. The Queen’s Award is the UK’s most prestigious for business performance, recognising exceptional achievement by UK companies.

Today
Today, A.J Wells continues to design and make stoves, signage, cladding and export products worldwide reaching markets in Japan, South Africa, Australia, Europe and the US. We remain a privately owned British manufacturer and design house run by the second and third-generation family members and employing a fantastic team that continues to grow.

After two challenging years in which everyone has had to be cooped up, we are relishing the start of venturing out again towards new horizons. The end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 saw the launch of Charnwood.US and Vlaze.US to help us reach our customers and grow our market across the pond!

Charnwood.US

As part of this launch, we were proud to reveal another new stove – the revolutionary Charnwood Skye E700. It has a new intelligent microprocessor that is set to revolutionize the way we burn wood. Load the fire, close the door, set your room temperature using the Charnwood app on your phone and let the stove do the rest. A blissful stove experience!

The Skye E700 is coming soon to the U.S.A & Canada and then to other markets. Read more…

Vlaze.US

We’ve long heard the calls from our friends across the pond, so we were delighted to announce our Vlaze porcelain enamel indoor/outdoor modular kitchen units will be available in 2022.

Vlaze is perfect for both the UK and the US. While completely at home in the windy and wet weather we’re known for here in the UK, it is also perfect for the sunny Californian climate due to its unrivalled heat-resistance and durability – The colours won’t fade in the sun and won’t rust from the rain.

Now in its 50th year, A.J Wells has grown from humble beginnings to making Charnwood a leading global stove brand, while becoming the UK’s leading vitreous enamellers. Vlaze is equally promising, maintaining the same high stands for design and craftsmanship – characterising the very best of British.

Now, in 2022, with significant global challenges to face, A.J Wells and Sons will continue to be led by its core principles. Our vision across all businesses is to build relationships, transform lives and create products that delight people. We feel incredibly fortunate to be working on projects that inspire the whole team and want to finish by thanking all of you who have made the last 50 years so incredibly special.