Manor house restoration looks authentic on paper

The medieval Manor House at Mount Grace Priory, near Osmotherley, was originally the guest house for dignitaries visiting the Carthusian monastery.

But centuries later it was given an Arts and Crafts makeover under the guidance of wealthy owner Sir Isaac Lowthian Bell, a giant of Teesside's steel industry.

The refurbishment was carried out by the company started by textile designer and artist Morris which continued after his death, employing the top creative minds of the day.

Sir Lowthian was both a leading light of the Arts and Crafts movement and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. He preserved many original features, while adding his own Arts and Crafts twist.

Now one of two rooms being restored to the vision mapped out for him by designers in the early 1900s is being hung with hand-printed wallpaper, based on fragments discovered at the priory.

The delicate job of hanging the floral-patterned paper on wooden batons covered with canvas is being done by wallpaper conservator James Caverhill, 48, from Darlington.

Twelve rolls have been specially made using the original 22 wooden printing blocks , which were discovered in the archive of Morris and Co.

English Heritage head curator Mark Allfrey said: "The wallpaper is central to our ambitious project to revive the rooms and help recreate the ambience and feel that Lowthian Bell brought to this wonderful building."

Clues about the rooms' original appearance were obtained from period photographs, a 1945 inventory of furniture and the original architect's drawing dating back to 1898. Once the rooms are completed and furnished they will be opened to the public.