Issue 37 Spring 23 WEB - Flipbook - Page 69
18th and 19th centuries when it became a quintessential
‘Gentleman’s Estate’. As cities in England began to urbanise with Industrialisation, so the wealthy retreated to
their rural properties, away from the smog and noise of
city life. From this point on, Boston Manor House gradually slid into decline, and following the First World War
– with no heir to maintain it – the house and parkland
were sold to Brentford Urban District Council in 1924.
The re-presentation of the historic interiors was driven
by discoveries made on site, including the discovery of
fragments of over forty wallpapers dating from around
1760 until the early 20th century.
Following specialist analysis of the wallpapers, we gained
a wealth of knowledge on the design and social history in
addition to the pigments and the technology available at
the time. Paint analysis from walls, ceilings and joinery
was also undertaken to analyse and understand the historic paint schemes implemented in the house over the
last 400 years.
Despite restoration projects in 1960 and 1963, the house
was placed on the Heritage at Risk Register, where it
remained for two decades until the restoration.
Each room in the main house was found to have huge
evidential value, sometimes thrilling surprise discoveries
hidden under layers of modern plasterboard. Archival
research and the Sales Catalogue from the sale of the
house in 1922, also offered clues as to how the house was
furnished over 300 years.
Restoration
The London Borough of Hounslow saw an opportunity
to transform the house with support from the Heritage
Lottery Fund, and engaged Purcell as heritage and
conservation architects to turn the house into a heritage
asset for the local community with renewed relevance and
purpose for the 21st century.
Using these exciting discoveries, the conservation philosophy
evolved to incorporate the re-presentation of the different
historic rooms in the house to each represent a different, and
appropriate moment in time of the houses’ history.
As well as restoring the fabric of the significant suite of
historic rooms and the exterior of the building, the brief
also outlined a vision to provide flexible spaces for interpretation and events, improving accessibility, and sensitively restoring the service wing to provide self-contained
units for local creative businesses. Visitor facilities have
been relocated and upgraded and a new cafe, shop and
toilet have been added, while improved access includes
the provision of a new lift to allow access to all levels of
the original house.
As such, the State Bedroom has been re-presented in a
1620s scheme; the Drawing Room and Staircase have
both been re-presented in their mid 18th century
schemes; and the Dining Room has been re-presented in
its 1840s scheme.
Below, State Drawing Room (Blue Room)
i
i
Conservation & Heritage Journal
67
