January 2023

Welcome to my very first ‘Perfectly Frank’ blog post!

During my 30-plus years of running my own decorating company I’d say the most exciting aspect of my job is rediscovering some hidden gem that may have been unseen, perhaps for decades. I could share numerous examples with you but here are two memorable ones to begin with.

Read on to find out about how:

1) hidden decorative door panels were revealed

2) heritage dado panels were uncovered.

RE-DISCOVERED DECORATIVE DOOR PANELS

Firstly, imagine growing up in a Victorian townhouse, built by Charles Berrington, in Wavertree, Liverpool, leaving the city behind to work on the other side of the Atlantic for over 30 years, before returning to the UK and becoming the new custodian of the family home. Then, when renovating the living room and removing the ply door panels you find these two beautiful ladies. The delighted owners hadn't known of their existence!

Yes, Flora needs some cosmetic surgery, but otherwise, thanks to a Barry Bucknall-style DIY makeover in the late 50s/early 60s, both ‘Diana’ and ‘Flora’ are otherwise unscathed.

The homeowners contacted me after seeing our Facebook post about other Lincrusta panels.  I was very excited to meet Flora and Diana in person recently when I was kindly given permission to take moulds to save these designs and add them to my own growing archive collection. I was singing Dr Hook’s ‘When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman’ all the way home – and for days afterwards!

UNCOVERING HERITAGE DADO PANELS

The next interesting discovery was in a Victorian semi-detached house in Blackpool.

This home had suffered a significant fire in the 1950s and the original house deeds were lost, along with many original features. When new owners removed wooden cladding in the porch they were astonished to find these original Lincrusta dado panels. They did a little research then emailed me to ask if they were indeed Lincrusta and whether they could be restored and copied. The answer was a resounding YES.

Lincrusta wallcoverings, developed by Frederick Walton (also the inventor of linoleum), have been around since 1877. Quickly becoming a popular choice due to its ‘sanitary’ properties and beautiful designs, Lincrusta became an affordable choice for the rising Victorian middle classes. Read more about Lincrusta and its uses

As an Approved Lincrusta Installer and Restorer who works across North West England, I have already visited this property to make moulds of the best-preserved panels, before the hallway renovation work begins, to minimize any further damage. This Lincrusta restoration will be completed by Frank Holmes Fine Décor later this year – once the meter cupboard has been relocated.

If you live in a period property you may also have covetable period features hidden behind modifications or improvements made to the home over the years. Have you unearthed decorative details in your home? Keen to explore? I suggest that you look behind panelling, above suspended ceilings or even behind the bathtub. What will the next hidden treasure be? Let me know. I’d love to hear from you!

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.