Exteriors - It’s The Simple Things in Life That Make the Biggest Difference!

My best friend Sarah and her fiancé recently bought their first property back in the summer. As it was incredibly dated from the previous owner, the following few weekends my friends and I would go over there and help them strip all the old wallpaper, rip up all the old carpets, and paint all the walls. By a way of thanking us for all our support, Sarah and her fiancé wanted to throw a big house warming party on Bonfire’s night and get everyone together.

The week before the party Sarah and I were catching up over a coffee, excitedly discussing who was coming and the food that people said they will be bringing. It then dawned on her that she hadn’t even thought about the state of the back garden, given that at one point in the evening everyone will be outside watching the fireworks. Apart from the small patio at the back, the garden was slightly hazardous where they had ripped up parts of it earlier in the year. She realised that if people would be standing outside they would need to see where they’re going for health and safety reasons, so it was vital to get some sort of outdoor lighting. It was there and then that we used what little WIFI the café provided to surf the web to see what we could find.

Using Google as our search engine god there were plenty of things we found that would be perfect for the event. However Sarah was keen on getting something more long-term instead of a temporary fix, as they would have needed to install something later in the year. She was also searching for more traditional outdoor lighting to keep in line with the décor of the house. As the party was several days away we needed a UK supplier who wouldn’t cost a small fortune for quick shipping. Luckily after about ten minutes of scrolling through Google and Amazon we came across an iron mongers in London called A&H Brass. They had a vast collection of outdoor lighting, could provide a speedy delivery, and had exactly what Sarah wanted at an affordable price! With a click of a finger the order was placed, and we resumed our weekly catch up.

When the event finally came around everyone was praising Sarah and her fiancé on what a great job they had done renovating the property, many of which were enviable of the new kitchen extension including myself if I’m honest. As the girls and I stood their chatting, whilst our partners were setting up the firework display, I noticed out the corner of my eye the new outdoor lights that Sarah had ordered several days before. They were perfect for the occasion and kept the patio a glow whilst we all huddled together to keep warm. Sarah definitely made a smart choice as the lights really did go with the décor of the rest of the house. 

For the rest of the night we indulged on a feast of finger food, drank mulled wine to our hearts content, giggled till our cheeks ached, and gazed upon the night sky as the fireworks exploded into the crisp night’s air.

I look forward to the day when my boyfriend and I will be able to buy our own house, and can then return the favour of hosting such a fun night of entertainment, with all our favourite people. If we ever manage to get a property with a garden I will keep A&H Brass in mind, as they also had some amazing modern outdoor lighting. Until that day comes there will be plenty of social events in between to look forward to, and I couldn’t be more proud of what Sarah and her fiancé have achieved!