Issue 42 summer 24 web - Flipbook - Page 59
FRANK HOLMES FINE DÉCOR
Frank Holmes Fine Décor specialises in heritage decorating and restoration, incorporating specialist
wallpaper installation, gilding, woodgraining and decorative finishes. Frank is also an Approved
Lincrusta Installer and Restorer. Supported by his wife, Amanda, Frank works across the North West,
from the Lake District and across to the Yorkshire Dales, down to Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Frank and Amanda take us through some recent projects
which range from a Lake District hotel, a Victorian town
hall, a former millowner’s house and a restored railway
carriage.
when Langdale Chase was built in 1891. Rather than
being Lincrusta these are Tynecastle Tapestry designs,
manufactured by William Scott Morton & Company,
Edinburgh, founded in 1870. The remarkable Arts and
Craft-style frieze in the Oak Room resembles old Scotch
plaster. William Scott Morton, greatly influenced by the
English Arts and Crafts movement, was at the forefront
of developing embossed wallcoverings that imitated
leather, stucco or carved wood.”
Langdale Chase Hotel, Windermere
The Langdale Chase Hotel sits in an enviable position on
the shores of Lake Windermere. Following a major
refurbishment, the hotel reopened its doors to guests in
November 2023. Now the hotel is placed at Number 3
in the Sunday Times top 100 places to stay in 2024.
Fortunately, Frank’s experience enabled him to repair and
restore these stunning embossed canvas wallpaper designs
to their former glory.
Frank Holmes Fine Décor played a key role in the
refurbishment when asked to restore and refinish what
the owners’ thought was Lincrusta in the lounges.
Lincrusta and Pre-war Anaglypta restoration
Frank has repaired many Victorian and Edwardian raised
relief dado wallpapers including Lincrusta, Anaglypta,
Lignomur, Salamander, Tynecastle and other similar products dating from the 1870s. In this former mill manager’s
home, the Lincrusta dado – c.1890 – in all three storeys
Frank said: “On investigation I realised I needed to do
some research. We delved into our personal archives and
discovered these embossed canvas wallpapers, friezes,
dado and decorative ceiling are all rare survivors from
Above, Langdale Chase Hotel, Windermere
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