Conservation
Decoration
Welcome
About me
Contact Me
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“We require from buildings, as from men, two kinds of goodness: first, the doing their practical duty well. Then that they be graceful and pleasing in doing it; which is in itself another form of duty.” John Ruskin, 1880 I am a Frome artist, conservator and restorer who specialises in helping clients to recognise and look after their spaces with sensitivity, integrity and fun. I collaborate with you to help to do justice to your home, workspace or historic building while creating a space you will love spending time in. Buildings have integrity and identity, just like a person. Houses collect secrets. A false wall, a blocked fireplace, hidden artefacts. Ghosts embedded in the walls. I love the mix of architectural styles that older buildings accumulate through the centuries. I love the process of uncovering, stripping back and finally restoring the place to “that which it most wants to be.” I specialise in helping clients to uncover how they want their space, building or home to feel and be. Then explore the many avenues to achieve this harmony with the building and the people living there. You and your Property You’re the custodian of a beautiful building- it may be an 18 th century farmhouse, a church or a 1960’s council house. You take your responsibility seriously. You want to conserve the building and create a space which you can use and feel good in, for future years or even generations to come. Perhaps you’d like to make changes so that the layout, colour schemes or decorative features better fit the overall feel of the building? It may be that the structure is struggling due to its age, damage or due to poor, inappropriate workmanship carried out in the past? Perhaps it’s just crying out to be restored to its former glory- or taken to a new phase in its life? You may be subject to Listed Buildings Regulations, meaning that simple maintenance needs a lot of thought? Do what is right, not what is easy! It is so easy for restoration and decorative work, on old or new buildings to be thoughtless and incompatible with the subtle needs of the building. Sometimes this means that the building or space just doesn’t “feel” or look right, and sometimes this means that the work will not last, or may even do damage to the building in the long term. I take time to “feel” into the buildings I work with, so I’m not just working with the structure but the essence of its design, the intention with which it was built. I like to sense what is “right.” About me If you choose to employ me I will personally carry out all the lime stone, plaster, brick and marble conservation and any interior design, painting and decorating as well as oversee any other trusted contractors, making sure everything happens when it needs too. I’m known for sensitivity in working with clients and tidy, considerate working habits – not a given in the building trade! Professional background My professional training began in Stockholm, Sweden where I studied art full time at the young age of 15! In the mists of a turbulent adolescence I found stillness through drawing and sculpture which continues to guide my work today. Back in England I studied Environmental Art and Design in Bournemouth and at 21 I had started my 3 year apprenticeship at Wells Cathedral in Lime Conservation, working among the stone figures which define The West front. My love for our architectural heritage and old buildings was kindled at Wells. There was a sense of belonging, within the building, with the medieval craftsmanship and with the history.
Over the last 35 years I’ve helped conserve some of the South West’s most famous and spectacular historic buildings including: Salisbury Cathedral, The Roman Baths, Tyntesfield House and Lacock Church in the National Trust Village, but much of my work has been on less auspicious, yet just as wonderful family homes, barns, churches and community spaces.
Salisbury Cathedral
Conservation
Decoration
Welcome
About me
Contact Me
Services
About Christina Kaye
Christina Kaye
Artist & Building Conservator
Decoration
About me
Contact Me
Conservation
Services
Take me Home
“We require from buildings, as from men, two kinds of goodness: first, the doing their practical duty well. Then that they be graceful and pleasing in doing it; which is in itself another form of duty.” John Ruskin, 1880 I am a Frome artist, conservator and restorer who specialises in helping clients to recognise and look after their spaces with sensitivity, integrity and fun. I collaborate with you to help to do justice to your home, workspace or historic building while creating a space you will love spending time in. Buildings have integrity and identity, just like a person. Houses collect secrets. A false wall, a blocked fireplace, hidden artefacts. Ghosts embedded in the walls. I love the mix of architectural styles that older buildings accumulate through the centuries. I love the process of uncovering, stripping back and finally restoring the place to “that which it most wants to be.” I specialise in helping clients to uncover how they want their space, building or home to feel and be. Then explore the many avenues to achieve this harmony with the building and the people living there. You and your Property You’re the custodian of a beautiful building- it may be an 18 th century farmhouse, a church or a 1960’s council house. You take your responsibility seriously. You want to conserve the building and create a space which you can use and feel good in, for future years or even generations to come. Perhaps you’d like to make changes so that the layout, colour schemes or decorative features better fit the overall feel of the building? It may be that the structure is struggling due to its age, damage or due to poor, inappropriate workmanship carried out in the past? Perhaps it’s just crying out to be restored to its former glory- or taken to a new phase in its life? You may be subject to Listed Buildings Regulations, meaning that simple maintenance needs a lot of thought? Do what is right, not what is easy! It is so easy for restoration and decorative work, on old or new buildings to be thoughtless and incompatible with the subtle needs of the building. Sometimes this means that the building or space just doesn’t “feel” or look right, and sometimes this means that the work will not last, or may even do damage to the building in the long term. I take time to “feel” into the buildings I work with, so I’m not just working with the structure but the essence of its design, the intention with which it was built. I like to sense what is “right.” About me If you choose to employ me I will personally carry out all the lime stone, plaster, brick and marble conservation and any interior design, painting and decorating as well as oversee any other trusted contractors, making sure everything happens when it needs too. I’m known for sensitivity in working with clients and tidy, considerate working habits – not a given in the building trade! Professional background My professional training began in Stockholm, Sweden where I studied art full time at the young age of 15! In the mists of a turbulent adolescence I found stillness through drawing and sculpture which continues to guide my work today. Back in England I studied Environmental Art and Design in Bournemouth and at 21 I had started my 3 year apprenticeship at Wells Cathedral in Lime Conservation, working among the stone figures which define The West front. My love for our architectural heritage and old buildings was kindled at Wells. There was a sense of belonging, within the building, with the medieval craftsmanship and with the history.
Over the last 35 years I’ve helped conserve some of the South West’s most famous and spectacular historic buildings including: Salisbury Cathedral, The Roman Baths, Tyntesfield House and Lacock Church in the National Trust Village, but much of my work has been on less auspicious, yet just as wonderful family homes, barns, churches and community spaces.
Salisbury Cathedral
About Christina Kaye