Welcome

I have written and researched a range of publications and articles involving original research, including:

• Ghosts in the Attic: from Smallpox to MMR (Wellcome Trust)
• Grace and Favour: The Hampton Court Palace Community, 1750-1950; ISBN-10: 1873993552; ISBN-13: 978-1873993552
• Grace & Favour: A handbook of who lived where in Hampton Court Palace 1750 to 1950; ISBN 1 873993 50 1 

https://hrpprodsa.blob.core.windows.net/hrp-prod-container/11058/graceandfavourhandbookhcp.pdf

• History Today The Quality Poorhouse Volume 55 

One of my more unusual recent projects has been researching and conserving two huge stunning stained glass vintage lampshades.

I was on a research trip to Cornwall when I happen to stumble upon an old church. I was struck by the exterior, keen to see inside. It transpired that it was now a shop selling interior design furnishings.

As I wandered through the shop I was invited to see upstairs into the main gallery. The ceilings were vast and magnificent. Sitting in a corner tucked behind a bench was a large antique glass lantern or lampshade for sale. It appeared to be circa early twentieth century. 

Unfortunately it had many broken panels, was thick with decades of dust but was clearly a quality piece, intricately hand-made. The cobalt blue glass gently glowed in the morning sunshine. I wondered whether it could be a Tiffany lamp but further research was clearly needed. The owner informed me that in her office she had its pair! I duly followed her up a dusty spiral staircase to her office full of unusual artwork  crammed into her tiny office. On the floor sat a forlorn lampshade, the twin of the one downstairs. She handed me a box of broken pieces of glass along with a copper crown, which I was told sits on top.

It transpired that the two lampshades originally hung side by side inside a grand town-house in Chelsea, London. A film crew were permitted by the owners to film an explosion scene in the impressive hallway. This included blowing up the magnificent historic lampshades for full effect! I had to rescue them. I therefore bought them both (one as spare parts). Packing them safely in the car was a challenge due to their vast size and fragility. They however arrived home safely and I set about researching their repair and conservation to restore them to their former glory.

There was only one man for the job...Graham Dowding. 

More of the story coming soon***

A few years ago I was engaged on a fascinating hotel regeneration project to source & supply antiques & contemporary art to a luxury hotel during a multi-million conservation project. 

In addition, I was commissioned to research the Anglo-Indian history relating to its former owner, Major General William Kirkpatrick  (1754-1812) of the East India Company and his former home, Southernhay House, Exeter, Devon. 

The holistic project encompassed research into the history of the 18th century building, which had lately become modern offices to a firm of lawyers, as well as the history of its colourful former Anglo-Indian owner. 

The hotel décor was praised in: Waitrose magazine; Alastair Sawday’s Special Places to Stay 2012; & Conde Nast Traveller. 

In the entire £2m restoration and development of Southernhay House, the best thing I bought was Sarah’s research time. It became the central inspiration and motif of the project. 

Deborah Clark, Owner of Southernhay House  [Hotel]