My Story

I trained at London Guildhall University and obtained a BSc with First Class Honours in Restoration and Conservation (Decorative Surfaces) specialising in carving and gilding. I interned to the carving and gilding workshop at the Royal Collection in St.James’s, London and was lucky enough to contribute work to the restoration of the fire damaged West Wing of Windsor Castle. Following that I became an apprentice to a London based traditional framemaker who specialised in producing replica frames from the renaissance to eighteenth century Europe – and consequently I have made replica frames for Institutions worldwide. I then went to work in the frame conservation department at the Tate Gallery, Millbank, London (under the late John Anderson). Finally leaving London in 1999 to become a private conservator. 

I became fully accredited with the Institute of Conservation (Icon) in 2004 and went on to serve as a specialist on the accreditation committee for 12 years. I believe accreditation is an important qualification for the profession. If you would like to know more then visit the Icon website.

Some work to date can be viewed on the portfolio pages and include many aspects of conservation and restoration from preventative treatments and surveys, to full intervention and recovery, major and minor loss replacement, surface cleaning and surface removal. However, unless specified by the owner, I endeavour never to make a treated object appear “as new”. Picture frames for example, must not overpower their painting which, even if recently cleaned, will definitely not look new.

I also offer training in basic collection skills, as well as information sessions covering different aspects of both conservation and the history and manufacture of picture frames.

I would add that many organisations now only offer re-gilding as the sole option when a gilded object needs a lift – apart from the highest cost option this, if done incorrectly, can vastly harm the historic significance of the piece.  I will always council new gilding as a last and final option – much can be done with suitable cleaning to preserve and improve the original.

Do you have a project you would like to discuss? Please feel free to contact me below. 

Thanks, Mike