HISTORIC DECORATION

Study days at Syon House on the history of the British interior

The family dining room

Historic Decoration, a new and fascinating series of study days based at Syon House, will begin on November 5th 2016.

Syon House is acknowledged to be one of the very finest expressions of Neo-Classical interior decoration on Europe, and was the work of Robert Adam and his craftsmen. Syon is a private house, and has been home to the Percy family for half a millennium. The interior designer Caroline Percy, with whom I co-founded Historic Decoration, was brought up at Syon. Her deep knowledge of the house and its contents bring the collection and whole place to life.

The State Dining Room

Caroline and I are both aware of the lack of information available for those who are dealing with historic interiors -whether as an architect, interior designer, historic house curator or homeowner. The purpose of these study days is to explain and define the many and varied aspects of the history of British interior design, and to explore the options available to assist in the restoration and reinterpretation of the historic interior today. We have been lucky to secure the knowledge of a brilliant team of experts for the study days, the first two of which are Annabel Westman and Mark Sutton Vane.

A group in the Red Drawing Room - covering the floor is one of only a handful of Robert Adam carpets still in existence.

Annabel Westman, an internationally renowned textile historian, will be leading the first study day on saturday 5th November. She will be exploring the history of textiles and soft furnishings in the historic interior, including wall hangings, seat furniture, curtains and carpets. She will also be demonstrating the types of fabrics used in the historic house, and those which are suitable for use today.

A group examines a Roman mosaic table top in the Great Hall 

Mark Sutton Vane, who will be with us at Syon on saturday 19th November, is a historic lighting expert. He will be explaining the history of domestic lighting from the flame to the latest technology. He will be focusing on designing lighting for the historic interior, with demonstrations using a wide variety of light fittings.

The Long Gallery, showing the carpet, which was re-made in the 1960s.

The study days are particularly fortunate in their setting - Syon is a treasure trove, which is at the disposal of the guests for the day. Lunch will take place in the Garden Restaurant, and the day will end with a grand tea in the private family sitting room, the Green Drawing Room.

For further information and to book a study day please go to:-

www.historicdecoration.com