Busy as a Bee
September 2023
Busy as a Bee
The bees have been buzzing around what remains of the summer flowers in our garden whilst I contemplated this next blog post. It’s been a busy summer for us too, so we took some time to enjoy a late summer evening walk before the weather broke this week. Morecambe Bay really does display a sunset beautifully with the Lakeland fells silhouetted in the background.
A sunset view of the Lakeland fells across Morecambe Bay from Heysham. Photo Credit: Amanda Holmes
What’s New
Frank has had the privilege of being small part of an exciting major hotel renovation project where we were able to identify several historic canvas wallpapers c.1891. These were manufactured by the Scott Morton Tynecastle Company. More to be revealed on that another time!
Meanwhile, I’ve on an archive research trip to the study centre at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester. The Whitworth is home to an internationally important collection of more than 60,000 works of art, textiles and wallpapers, including some Lincrusta and Anaglypta. Conservator, Helena Brazil of Lincrusta Heritage made us aware of these.
Sample books in the wallpaper archive collection at The Whitworth. Photo credit Frank Holmes Ltd,
The Whitworth Story - ‘Making Art Useful since 1889’
The Whitworth Story is part of the art gallery display. Stockport-born engineer, Sir Joseph Whitworth, who transformed engineering through the introduction of a standardised system of measurement for machine parts, left a vast fortune. The gallery was founded by his widow, Lady Mary Louisa with the help of fellow philanthropists Robert Darbishire and Richard Copley Christie. The original purpose was to bring together and encourage good design in manufacture. Now, objects made by hand as part of the Arts and Crafts Movement represent one of the collection’s strengths.
Below, a few items currently on display in The Whitworth Art Gallery, commemorating the Great Exhibitions of 1851 and 1862.
Design Central North West Interior Design Trade Show 2023
Design Central North West
A prestigious interior design trade show 26th & 27th September, at Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire.
We are excited to be guest speakers in the ‘Talk Space’ at Design Central North West. A prestigious Interior Design Trade Show on 26th and 27th September at Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire, now in its 10th year. The show is free to attend for anyone associated with the interiors industry. See below how to register for free trade tickets.
Our Talk Space Topic:
Heritage Decorating & Restoration – Rediscovered Designs and Designers
Tuesday September 26th, 2.00 - 3.00pm & Wednesday September 27th, 11.30am - 12.30pm
We will share our passion for rescuing and restoring heritage relief wallcoverings, including Lincrusta and Anaglypta, along with some of the history behind the designs that we have learned along the way. We’ll share how ‘out-of-production’ designs can be replicated to make repairs, including some project examples, and showcase several rare Victorian door panel designs now in our personal archive collection.
We will have an exhibition stand too, 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.
Copyright for all posts: Frank Holmes Ltd.