historic buildings and statuary
About Us
What We Do
With over twenty five years of hands-on experience we have the expertise and flexibility to directly undertake a range of conservation repairs - on anything from smaller private and listed houses through to larger historic and stately homes, churches and museums.
Our work is primarily focused in the South of England, across the counties of Bucks, Berks, Beds, Herts, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Greater London, but we will sometimes work farther afield on the right project.
Where we can we use the original materials and methods for repair - staying true to the principles of good conservation practice we retain as much of the original fabric and design as possible, keeping careful records and aiming for all work to be potentially 'reversible' at some point in the future. We are able to:
- match lime pointing in brick or stone for profile (flush, recessed, penny or weather-struck, etc), and also colour and texture on brick and stone facades; we can use the most suitable lime, be it hydraulic, lime putty or 'hot lime'; we can sympathetically match lime mortar repairs to the surrounding material (using different sands and stone/brick dusts); we use reclaimed or new handmade bricks to match colour, size and texture; where necessary we use stainless steel stud or 'helibar' for structural reinforcement in walls and stonework
- tone-in or disguise unsightly existing cement repairs and alterations or new works on building exteriors
- undertake steam, poultice and careful mechanical cleaning on facades, including the removal of sulphation deposits and paint
- re-apply traditional paint finishes and colours, using limewash, distemper, permeable emulsion and Keim silicate paints
- patch-repair and reinstate the traditional lime plaster of internal walls and external render
- undertake the refurbishment of some casement and sash windows and other timberwork, including repairs to oak fames
- install and repair statuary, marble and other types of fireplaces, and decorative plaster ceilings and ornament
- handle and display statuary and other artwork
- replicate statuary and ornament - mouldmaking and casting - using silicone rubber, plasters and artificial stone/concrete
- we produce a small number of cast replica objects - see menu for Cast Replica Sculpture
Working Together
We collaborate closely with each client to ensure a good rapport and a suitable programme of work, a realistic time schedule and to carefully predict and itemise costs.
We aim to meet the often complex needs of the building and its owner along with any other interested parties - such as architects and conservation officers, neighbours and the general public.
We pride ourselves on doing high quality work and maintaining a tidy site.
All aspects of the work are routinely described and documented - whether it is materials and methods or site conditions and matters of health and safety - and this will be shared with the client, including the photographic record ('before', 'during' and 'after').
We aim to minimise our use of noxious chemicals which seem to run counter to the notion of conservation and the wider environment.
We are happy to undertake survey work and provide more formal reports if required.
We are careful to be compliant with the latest government guidelines on safe working practice, aiming to be as considerate and self sufficient as possible during challenging times.
Why Choose Us?
We want every client to be satisfied with our work, but this is a minimum and better still if they are happy to recommend us!
We appreciate that having an older building brings with it an interesting history that wherever possible should be protected, but also that it should not feel like a burden for the owner.
We hope to offer good value, to advise, reassure and of course to help at a reasonable cost - to restore beauty to a building, to maintain its integrity, but also to facilitate its better use and enjoyment for the client and the wider community.