Take a good look at your No. 6 (Jubilee) Kiosk
...because the embossed crown will tell you in what era it was made.
The earlier ones feature the king′s crown. In 1952, when Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne, new kiosks showed her crown, though you can see where some of the older models were also brought into line.
Either way, you can adapt the kiosks for use in your home or outside in the garden. They are a charming feature and fit in remarkably well – as, of course, was the original intention. (Most kiosks available are K6′s. We have a few K2′s, but they′re very rare indeed. And there are only four K4′s left in the whole of Britain.)
Rather eccentrically, if these old kiosks are privately used as working telephone booths in the UK, the royal crown at the top must be covered. The colour can be anything but red and a notice has to be displayed in the kiosk saying who is looking after the equipment. And, yes, we would be delighted to fit out a kiosk for you in its original form, complete with bakelite ′phone and Press button A or B′ mechanism in place, if you′d like.
Funnily enough, we were once asked by a hotel to make up a chromium plated kiosk with green tinted windows and leather lining. To be used for what? You′re right a telephone booth! But you can imagine how it would look in the foyer. Absolutely stunning. Or perhaps you would prefer something different, like one of the examples shown here. They′re fun for the family and seem to fascinate friends and visitors.
Kiosks can be revamped into washing machines, tumble driers, self–contained cooking hobs, fridge/freezers, ice machines, saunas, aquariums, arboriums, bird cages or bookcases. If you have a different idea, it′s no problem. We simply make up an ′original′ for you.
Take what John Timpson quoted someone as saying in his marvellous book Requiem for a Red Box published by the Hamlyn Publishing Group in London; "A natural for the bathroom or by the pool or both. With just a few adjustments you can have one, painted to fit in with your colour scheme, that will add value to your property″ ... and an... "elegant addition to any garden″ he continues. Indeed, some people do prefer to have them outside, particularly if the kiosk is impracticable to have indoors.
Some amusing anecdotes for you. Once, we converted a kiosk for an American gentleman living in New York′s 5th Avenue. He'd asked us to make up something for the loo! Amazing. An original idea too.
Shortly after, NBC News featured our kiosks across the US in their news bulletin,and the enthusiasm shown by the United States of America keeps filtering back to us.
Then someone in the UK wanted a kiosk that had been converted into an aquarium at a wedding reception. A nuptial novelty! And the New England Carrousel Museum over in Bristol, Connecticut has the drinks cabinet adaption. Seems appropriate. The Queen has a couple as well. At Sandringham. There′s a story behind each one.
