Preface viii
 
Contributors x
 
1. Conservation of the historic interior Michael Forsyth 1
 
Introduction 1
 
The presentation of historic interiors 1
 
Managing change 3
 
Building history and understanding signifi cance 4
 
'Reading' the classical interior 6
 
The fall and rise of craftsmanship 6
 
Joinery detailing: a case study 7
 
Finding 'forgotten spaces' 8
 
Conclusion 9
 
2. Stone fl oors Lisa White 11
 
Introduction 11
 
Materials 11
 
Floors 12
 
3. Cantilever or hanging stone stairs Ian Hume 19
 
How do they work? 19
 
Landings 21
 
Sources of problems 21
 
Investigation 22
 
Repairs 22
 
Load testing 23
 
Timber cantilever stairs 23
 
Conclusion 24
 
4. Decorative plasterwork: materials and methods David Bostwick 25
 
Introduction 25
 
Materials 26
 
Methods 28
 
Ceiling construction 32
 
Design 33
 
Finishes 34
 
Signifi cance 37
 
5. Woodwork Lisa White 41
 
Introduction: timber 41
 
Floors 42
 
Staircases 45
 
Panelling 49
 
Doors and doorcases 54
 
Architectural woodwork details 58
 
6. Metalwork and gilding Lisa White 61
 
Introduction 61
 
Staircases and balustrades 62
 
Architectural metal furniture 67
 
Gilding 72
 
7. Chimneypieces Lisa White 77
 
Introduction: early chimneypieces 77
 
Early chimney furniture 80
 
Seventeenth- and eighteenth-century developments 80
 
Firegrates and chimney furniture 85
 
Victorian style 87
 
8. Wallpaper Treve Rosoman 93
 
Introduction 93
 
A brief history of wallpaper 93
 
Making hand-blocked wallpaper 94
 
Hand block printing 95
 
Designing wallpaper 98
 
The selling of wallpaper 98
 
Where and how to hang wallpaper 99
 
Dating and identifying wallpaper 102
 
9. Textiles Annabel Westman 105
 
Introduction 105
 
Wall hangings 107
 
Window curtains 113
 
Floor coverings 117
 
Conservation 121
 
Glossary 122
 
10. Ceramic and glass Lisa White 125
 
Early fl oor tiles 125
 
Tin-glazed earthenware or Delft tiles 127
 
Victorian tiles 129
 
Glass 132
 
Mirror glass 138
 
11. The impact of historic lighting Lisa White 143
 
Introduction 143
 
Providing artifi cial light 143
 
Managing artifi cial light 148
 
The impact of artifi cial light 154
 
The impact of technological change 156
 
Conclusion 160
 
12. Paint colour and paintwork Patrick Baty 163
 
Conservation projects 163
 
Traditional paint 164
 
Care when specifying 167
 
Lead as an exterior paint 168
 
Distemper 169
 
13. Recreating historic schemes of interior decoration James Finlay 173
 
Research 173
 
Recreating and interpreting historic schemes 183
 
House versus home 184
 
Conclusion 185
 
14. Environment in the historic interior David Drewe 187
 
Introduction 187
 
Considerations with respect to people, collections and the building fabric 187
 
Heating 190
 
The options 192
 
Maintenance and statutory requirements 194
 
Conclusion 194
 
15. Fire safety in Georgian houses Peter Norris 197
 
Introduction: legislation and guidance 197