Period Property Décor Always in Style
February 2023
Period Property Decor: Always in Style
No matter what fluctuations property markets may experience period features never go out of fashion. It is always worth restoring original features or reinstating them. They invariably add value as well as beauty to any property.
In my work it is encouraging to see a growing trend of people buying older properties and sympathetically renovating them, taking the time to reinstate lost features where possible or make repairs to maintain the original character. In my opinion, these buildings and their interiors are an interesting snapshot of history.
When Lincrusta first came to market in 1877 it was an innovative new kind of wallcovering, and quickly became a popular and affordable choice for the rising Victorian middle classes, who loved the sanitary properties of this beautiful textured wallcovering.
‘the most sanitary wall decoration’
An advertisement for Lincrusta-Walton, also known as The Sunbury Wall Decoration, acquired for our collection with thanks to Carl Burgess, CB Fine Painting, USA.
‘Lincrusta is an ornamental relief, like woodcarving. It can be washed with soap and water. It will not absorb infection, it is therefore, highly sanitary’,
Journal of Decorative Art c.1885
The more I discover and understand about the history of Lincrusta, the more I appreciate the calibre of artists and designers who were commissioned by the major wallpaper manufacturers of the day, including Lincrusta-Walton and Anaglypta. Leading artists and designers included Dr Christopher Dresser, George C Haite and Owen W. Davis. There’s more about this in my March blogpost, Arts & Crafts Era: Artisans of the Day.
Here are two examples from previous projects where a lack of interference over many decades meant that beautiful period features had been retained and were ripe for restoration.
Renovation Nation – Water Damaged Lincrusta Repairs
Channel 4’s recent series Renovation Nation follows several such journeys.
My clients, Ben and Paul of @The Country House Diaries, Cumbria were featured. I, as an Approved Lincrusta Installer & Restorer, was called in to make repairs to the water damaged original Lincrusta (Italian Renaissance design) on the stairs and landing of their Georgian Country House. (I didn't appear in the programme itself.)
During my initial visit Paul explained how the house had stood empty for 10 years and the enormity of their restoration project was clear.
As he showed me round something caught my eye – a fascinating remnant of old dado panelling. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that Paul’s voice seemed to fade in and out as I kept looking back at it and I couldn’t hide my interest. I remarked on how intriguing it was and thought that it could possibly be an early Lincrusta design. I felt like a kid in a sweet shop when Paul told me there was more!
We ventured down a dark corridor that was mid-renovation. Paul rigged up a light and directed it through an exposed area of suspended ceiling. With dust in the air, caught by the light, I peered up though the frame and into the void above the false ceiling. What I saw took me completely by surprise! I felt like Howard Carter must have done when he first peered into the tomb of Tutankhamun. Maybe a slight exaggeration but I saw a stunning raised relief wallpaper and frieze that appeared untouched since it was first installed. Click to see the view for yourself on my Instagram post and see the frieze here
In all, there were several pieces dotted around the house. Paul kindly gave me permission to make moulds for my own growing archive, with a view, hopefully, to me reproducing them at some point.
The Renovated Hallway, The Country House, Cumbria
A testament to Paul and Ben’s hard work, The Country House Cumbria restoration is now complete and this wonderful Georgian house is available as a luxurious holiday let fit for 21st century lords and ladies.
For more information visit their website:
Follow Ben & Paul on Instagram:
Replicating Victorian Dado Panels
This Victorian mill manager’s house was converted into two homes in 1890 and this amazing example of Lincrusta-Walton dado dates from that time. A full 130 years on it has not lost its fine detail, due to not being painted too frequently, and is in fantastic condition.
However, to suit modern life the lounge and dining room of this Victorian home had been knocked through and a door onto the hallway blocked up. This meant that there was a section of wall with no dado panelling, and unfortunately, the design has long since been discontinued. Having lived with this blank wall for a few years, the homeowners were delighted to discover there was a solution via a friend of Amanda’s sister. Using the original design, the panels could be replicated.
First, using a Lincrusta Restoration Kit, I made a mould from an intact section and Amanda came along to record the process. I couldn’t help smiling to myself when she ended up talking crafts with owner, Katie. Amanda was in her element and, among other things, helped to work out a sign layout for Katie’s nephew’s first birthday party, trying to recollect her ‘A’ level maths.
Next, I spent a couple of days in my workshop hand-producing the extra panels. Meanwhile, the clients sourced a similar profile dado rail and skirting board to match the original. Then I returned for a day to install the newly replicated panels before our clients added the dado rail and painted them.
Now they look like they have always been there.
Click to see more of the process and the finished installation on our website.
Click here to see more original features restored by Frank Holmes Fine Decor.
Thank you for reading. Please leave a comment with your thoughts below and thank you to all of you who have made positive comments about the blog up to now.
Until next time,
Frank
DISCLAIMER:
This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal. They do not represent those of people or organisations that the company may or may not be associated with. Perfectly Frank blog posts are for information and entertainment only. Information is correct only to the best of our knowledge. Frank Holmes Ltd is not liable for any actions undertaken by readers after reading these posts. Please take advice from a qualified professional before making any changes to your property or its contents.
Copyright for all posts: Frank Holmes Ltd.