Celebrating Milestones
August 2023
Celebrating Milestones
This summer we are celebrating momentous milestones in both our marriage and business partnership. Frank has been in the painting and decorating business since June 1990, and over the last 33 years has endeavoured to expand his skill set undertaking additional training to incorporate traditional skills into his work, which is where Frank’s passion lies.
Take a look at those fresh faces of Frank Holmes Fine Decor.
Marriage Milestone
Earlier this month we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. When an opportunity to attend a wood-graining masterclass close to our anniversary arose, an extended trip was masterminded.
We love to visit historic houses when we get chance and admire the decor of the day. Snowshill Manor in Broadway, Gloucestershire, was our first port of call, a museum displaying the extraordinary Art and Crafts era treasures of eccentric collector Charles Wade. Then in Hampshire, Frank spent a day in the masterclass to brush up his skills, whilst Amanda visited Jane Austen’s house and Jane’s brother’s home, Chawton House nearby.
Frank met old friends and new for a day along with Dutch master craftsman and teacher, Gert-Jan Nijsse.
We enjoyed an extra few days staying in Bosham, on the historic Chichester inland harbour - allegedly where Anglo-Saxon King Canute got his feet wet when famously challenging the tide.
Admiring the Lincrusta at Stansted Park, a 2007 refurbishment of the Blue Drawing Room by Nicky Haslam Studio. Volunteer tour guides were impressed with our knowledge of Lincrusta, and the fact that it is still manufactured in our home town of Morecambe. Frank is usually found taking close up photos of all kinds of decorative details.
A unique window
East Window, St Paul’s chapel, Stansted. A unique Georgian painted glass design c.1816. Interesting to note it was the only window to survive a bomb blast when a German aircraft crash landed on the estate during the Battle of Britain.
A stop-off on our way home for a brief visit to Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton. What an amazing place. Built in an ‘Old English’ style, inspired by Oscar Wilde’s lecture on ‘the House Beautiful’ and the Aesthetic Movement ideals of ‘art for art’s sake’. An impressive collection of paintings, objects and designs of William Morris and other British Arts and Crafts contemporaries, we hope to return for a longer visit to take it all in.
Quick Quiz - What is it?
I never would’ve guessed, not for all the tea in China!
(Leave your answers in a comment below :-)
Business Milestones
Frank has accomplished 33 years in the painting and decorating trade this year. Together we have weathered the various economic booms and busts by providing a top-notch decorating service for valued customers, specialising in wallpaper installation.
'Becoming an Approved Lincrusta Installer and Restorer in 2015, with advanced level training from Lincrusta, was a catalyst to start specialising more in heritage decorating and incorporate other traditional skills such as gilding and wood-graining into my work. I love working with Lincrusta wallpapers, combining my passion for the product and an eye for colour with optional decorative finishes, to create distinctive decorative features ranging from bespoke backdrops, bar fronts, dado panelling and more - the possibilities are endless.’
Recently Frank was interviewed by Sarah French, Editor of Cumbria Life magazine. Look out for her article in September’s Cumbria Life Edition out now.
What’s Next?
We are gearing up to attend the Design Central UK North West Trade Show.
Design Central North West
A prestigious interior design trade show 26th & 27th September, at Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire.
It’s wonderful opportunity to explore inspirational designs and innovative products all under one roof and free to attend for anyone associated with the Interior Design industry. It takes place on 26th and 27th September in the stunning setting of Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire. Pre-book your free tickets HERE.
Look out for the ‘Talk Space’ daily programme. Frank is privileged to be on the guest list and will share his appreciation of the craftsmanship behind historic raised relief wallcoverings such as Lincrusta and Anaglypta, and give an insight into how ‘lost’ designs can be restored to glory or repurposed as unique wall art.
We will also have an exhibition stand, so if you plan to attend be sure to come and say ‘hi’, as we love to meet colleagues, old and new!
Thanks for taking the time to read this far. We welcome your feedback, feel free to leave a comment below or send us an email via email@frankholmesltd.com.
Until next time,
Frank & Amanda
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.
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