One interesting aspect to come out of this, is the question of how to treat the bed cupboard, (see a few images down the page) especially as on first look it appears tired and unkept, but is basically the old limewash patina effect.
Conservation principals say minimal intervention, as much as necessary, as little as possible. Any works must be reversible. We would look as seek advice from conservators, curator and archaeologists, but they may or may not all agree the same outcome. The bed cupboard has lime-washed lime plaster and timber panel finishes, so we agreed to leave the timber as it is so it becomes a record and just lime wash the plastered areas.
As this will be a tenanted property we also added an out set of double doors to provide security for this unique feature within a Cumbria farmhouse and the doors can still be opened for viewing as required.
See the tree, too close to the building so it had to go |
Roof truss in attic, see the horizontal grove, any ideas? |
Attic floor, see the raised section, this it seems is to give more headroom to the main bedrooms beneath |
Attic west gable, see the old remains of the fire hood |
Living room fireplace, see the old stone surrounds still in place indicating a grander fireplace, also the stone lintel is only about 90mm deep and hides an old brick curved arch lintel. |
View into the bed cupboard, the beam at head height probably was part of a partition, doors to the right leading to a living room with a fireplace. |
Inside the bed cupboard (brick and slate sconce is a later addition) corner oak posts in place |
Slate scones within the utility room and see the stone flagged floor |
Spice cupboard door dated and initials of the owners |
An further spice cupboard in the same room as the one above but no date. |
Nice old hinge |
Once the wall was stripped, old timbers were revealed, possibly the back to a seat? |
Inside the cupboard, note the original blue decoration. |
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