One of Britain’s leading specialists in the painting, gilding, conservation and decoration of historic and contemporary buildings.
Founded in 1987, Hare & Humphreys has evolved into one of Britain’s leading specialists in the painting, gilding, conservation and decoration of historic and contemporary buildings. Working both nationally and internationally, our dedicated team of experienced specialists offer an unparalleled range of decoration and restoration services based upon years of experience in both the private and public sectors.
Restoration and Conservation
Our company’s core team of highly trained professionals combines extensive experience across the arts, decoration and conservation sectors with a shared ethos for delivering excellence. In 2001, we were honoured with the Royal Warrant as Decorators and Gilders by appointment to HM Queen Elizabeth II. The Royal Warrant was awarded for the work that H&H completed on the restoration and decoration of Windsor Castle.
To prolong the life of such valuable investments, the company can also provide a tailored maintenance programme to ensure treasured installations are always exhibiting that just finished appearance.
Our plan for the future
2025 has begun with the appointment of new management with a dynamic vision and mandate to expand opportunities in the conservation & heritage sector as well as generate controlled growth whilst fully respecting and retaining the traditions and ethics of the company. Hare & Humphreys new MD Thomas Wallerand states that "our founding principles of quality, fairness, integrity and a warm customer focussed service will remain implicit in all that we do as we grow our business, and our people without compromising customer satisfaction.
High-end interior design
Our team of highly skilled painters, decorators, gilders and conservators can handle very diverse projects, from restoring a listed building to creating bespoke finishes in contemporary interiors. Our range of interior design finishes cover for example painting, graining, gilding, trompe l’oeil, polished plasters, wallpaper and embossed leather. We love helping you translate your ideas and projects into reality: come and see us at our workshop and showroom in Kensington and we will enjoy working on your bespoke samples.
Drapers’ Hall
For over 40 years the Company has been working with The Draper’s Company to keep their hall looking as good as it did in the 1890’s. The Drawing Room, Court Dining Room, and Court Room have all been restored and maintained by Hare & Humphreys. Each room has an incredible amount of detail including stenciling, gilding, trompe l’oeil and heraldry.
In 2021 Hare & Humphreys were awarded the ‘generational’ redecoration of the iconic Drapers’ Livery Hall. This involved a complete overhaul of the decoration, and included stencilling and regilding of all existing surfaces.
National Gallery – Room 32
Room 32 is the largest gallery in the building. The purpose of this project was to reinstate the original decorative scheme of its architect, Edward M. Barry. The dark red wall cloth, ornate painted frieze and lunettes, whose designs alternate winged lions with dolphins, have all been reinstated according to the original colour scheme.
Architectural Paint Research
Architectural Paint Research (APR) is a process whereby we can determine through examining various layers of the paint the original decoration of an element in a room or building. It is an important tool to determine not just the colours, but also the paint used and when each scheme was carried out. Using this method, you can also work out the dates a door or a window might have been installed by counting how many layers of paint have been added compared to the rest of the room.
Consultancy
Should you need any help on resolving your colour scheme or improving your decorative painting, we would be delighted to help you. Examples of some of our projects are listed here
Pitzhanger Manor
During the restoration of Pitzhanger Manor, Hare & Humphreys worked with Jestico + Whiles, Julian Harrap Architects and Quinn London to recreate the original schemes of Sir John Soane that were overpainted in the 1830’s. This involved us at the start of the project taking paint samples from every surface of the manor to analyse and generate a report that could be used by all the stakeholders involved.
A number the of the finishes we recreated to match the original included hand painted Chinese wall paper to the drawing room, redecorating multicolored decorative ceilings and apply faux stone, marble and gaining effects throughout the project.
Furniture restoration
Our team of experts can bring furniture back to life, such as this designer bench (above) which we restored and re-gilded in our workshop.
Gloriana – Royal Barge
As a part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Hare & Humphreys were commissioned to undertake the decorative and art works for the Queen’s barge Gloriana which led the flotilla on the Thames Pageant day.
Pictures from top down, firts two images Drapers’ Hall. Third picture National Gallery – Room 32, Fourth and fifth Pitzhanger Manor. Sixth, Furniture restorationon bench. Seventh and eighth Gloriana – Royal Barge.
Contact
Thomas Wallerand, Managing Director
Mobile: 07947313453
Hare & Humphreys Ltd
27 Kelso Place, Kensington, London, W8 5QG
+44 (0) 20 7833 8806
info@hare-humphreys.co.uk
www.hare-humphreys.co.uk