Groundbreaking National Trust restoration

Earthborn paints played a significant role in the recent BBC TV series, The Manor Reborn, which followed the restoration of the National Trust’s Avebury Manor in Wiltshire.

Avebury Manor had been empty for years, so the National Trust took the opportunity to break new ground inits approach to restoration. It teamed up with the BBC and Russell Sage Studio to bring the Grade I listed property back to life.

The rooms have been redecorated in five different styles: Tudor, Queen Anne, Georgian, Victorian and pre-war modern. Earthborn paints were specified because they were best suited to the technical requirements of the restoration. Paints used in historic buildings need to be highly breathable to protect the fabric of the building. Earthborn paints deliver on that requirement as well as being hard wearing and environmentally friendly.

Numerous shades of Claypaint were used at Avebury, as well as Earthborn’s casein paint, emulsion, clear wall glaze and clear interior wood stain. Customised colours were achieved by blending the paints with Earthborn pigments.

Working alongside the historical experts, the lead interior designer on the project was Russell Sage. Russell said: “We chose Earthborn for this project as the high performing formulations and colours were absolutely perfect for the age of the property and conditions we had to work with.

“We were able to match the original feel of three key rooms and colour schemes exactly, and were confident in the fact that the paints would work in harmony with the building over the coming years – bonding to the surfaces, preventing damp and giving a beautiful matt finish.

“We used the paint throughout the house. The final results were brilliant and have really helped give the house a new lease of life.”

Earthborn Managing Director John Dison commented: “We were delighted to be involved in this project and worked closely with Russell and the architects to help achieve the transformation of a fascinating property. Earthborn’s colour range, its technical performance and the brand’s environmental credentials were just what were needed for such a challenging brief.”

The result is an authentic but imaginative interpretation of the house across five centuries. The National Trust describes it as an immersive visitor experience where the public can touch, sit on and enjoy all aspects of the building.

Screened in November 2011, the BBC programme was presented by Penelope Keith, star of the 1970s sitcom To The Manor Born. Her co-presenter was Paul Martin of BBC’s Flog It!

For more information and to find your nearest Ecopro stockist, visit the website www.earthbornpaints.co.uk or email info@earthbornpaints.co.uk