Temple Newsam Plasters Over Cracks

This is a case study by CMG member "PRomotion"

AN ORNATE APPROACH AT TEMPLE NEWSAM

As the key feature of one of England’s great historic estates it’s only right that the magnificent Tudor Jacobean mansion at Temple Newsam near Leeds gets the very best in restorative care!

The venue for major concerts and festivals, Temple Newsam Park was landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th Century and boasts Europe’s largest rare breeds farm. Temple Newsam House, a Grade 1 Listed Building, contains within its carefully researched and restored interiors collections of fine and decorative arts of international significance.

The Leeds City Council owned Temple Newsam House is a major focus of attention for specialist craftsmen from a wide range of trades including joiners, stonemasons, specialist decorators and wallpaper restoration specialists.

Ornate Interiors, a West Yorkshire-based firm that specialises in traditional and fibrous plasterwork, has already been involved in a couple of key projects as part of a room by room restoration programme.

Ian Fraser, a member of the conservation team at the house for nearly two decades, commented: “There is an ongoing programme to re-construct each of the 50 or so rooms in Temple Newsam House with funding coming from a variety of sources including grant giving bodies.

“We want to give the house back its true identity, its historic interiors having been largely destroyed and turned into galleries during the 1940's when the house became the city's art gallery during the bombing of Leeds in WW2. Craftsmen from firms such as Ornate Interiors play an invaluable role in helping to bring the past to the present day,” added Ian.

The first project carried out by Ornate Interiors, winners of the 2006 Plasterers Trophy, involved the application of lime plasterwork to a window bay in the Still Room. Upon excavation of the room it became clear that the window bay had been plastered, and grained to imitate oak.

Ray McCartney of Ornate Interiors took up the story: “Lime plastering dates back millennia and is a tried and well tested solution that helps a building to breath and prevents damp.

“It’s a very popular and effective way of restoring prestigious buildings such as this in a manner that befits its history.

“In this instance we secured a number of tanilised timbers to the wall and then fixed to the chestnut laths to the studwork within the bay. We then proceeded to apply three coats haired lime plaster over a period of 28 days to a height of 1.25 metres. The first and second coats comprised of three parts sand to one part lime and horse hair to a depth of around 12mm.

“After ten days the second coat was applied with the final coat made of one part lime to one part silica sand applied to a depth of 2mm,” added Ray who worked on the job with apprentice Paul Malyon who was recently named Student of the Year at Leeds College of Building.

“For the final coat the composition was one part lime to three parts sand and horse hair. Due to the ground level being so high against the wall, we needed to create a cavity between the wall and plaster to allow moisture to pass between the two with ease. The gap between the wall and plaster was created by the timber batons and air vents were placed at skirting level and window level to allow excess moisture to escape,” said Ray

Other key projects carried out at Temple Newsam House to date include the complete replacement of a lath and plaster ceiling within the Red Dressing Room and repairs to a Jacobean ceiling in the Darnley Room.

"We are fortunate enough to work in significant buildings such as this on a regular basis and it gives all of the team at Ornate Interiors great satisfaction at having helped to preserve our architectural heritage for generations to come,” added Ray.

The work of craftsmen such as Ray will help Temple Newsam House to rediscover that true identity and bring history to life for all visitors.

Temple Newsam House is open Tuesday - Sunday 10.30 -5pm (4pm in winter). For more details visit www.leeds.gov.uk/templenewsam
www.ornateinteriors.co.uk

Enquiry form Name*: Postcode: Email*: Company: Telephone*: Your Project Details*: Select a region*: East Anglia East Midlands London North East North West Scotland South East South West Wales West Midlands * required field