inspirational interiors

Interior design in Wales is the focus of a new publication which is being launched today by Angela Gidden, furniture designer and a previous winner of Welsh Woman of the Year, at St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff. Written by renowned author and historical interiors consultant Charles Kightly, it features many of Wales's best interiors, from the year 400 until the 1960s.
 
The book was commissioned by Cadw, the historic environment division of the Welsh Assembly Government with responsibility for protecting, conserving and promoting an appreciation of the historic environment of Wales. It gives a remarkable insight into home decoration over the centuries and is beautifully illustrated with contemporary and historic photographs of Welsh homes, including colourful details of wallpaper, paint and textiles.
 
The overwhelming message of this book is that the past was not a dull and drab place, as it is so often portrayed in films and on television. Our ancestors not only appreciated but also used colour to great effect in interior design and decoration. Although it is sometimes difficult to reach back into the more distant centuries, the traces of colour and texture, light and warmth that clothed the rooms in which our ancestors lived can be gleaned from archaeological evidence, documents,  paintings and photographs, as well as historic fabrics, wallpapers and paint. For the first time, 'Living Rooms' brings all of these elements together to show how people in Wales decorated their homes over a period of more than 1,000 years.

Marilyn Lewis, Cadw's recently appointed Director:

'Interior design is considered to be a contemporary passion but, as this book shows, it has played a significant role in Wales over the centuries most notably during the medieval period.

This publication, which we have great pleasure in endorsing and promoting, is a remarkable journey through the great interiors of Wales. It depicts rare examples of Wales's finest wall—coverings, hangings and furnishings, many of which are now kept safely at St Fagans National History Museum.

Angela Gidden, furniture designer:

'Having been raised in Wales, my design ethos is well and truly rooted in our rich cultural past but since reading this unique book, I have been re—inspired by the wealth and beauty of our interior design history. 'Living Rooms' will no doubt grab the imagination and even regenerate past designs styles, but with a contemporary twist. It's a must have for every fashion—conscious Welsh home this Christmas.'

Charles Kightly, commenting on his publication:

'The more I research Wales's rich interior design past, the more convinced I am that our predecessors placed enormous value on the beauty of their home furnishings. I'm delighted to say that domestic wall paintings, very recently thought rare in Wales, are now turning up in greater and greater numbers. Even during the course of compiling this book, a 17th century woven rush wall—hanging, probably now unique in Britain, came to light in mid Wales.

Awareness too is growing that very recent interior features—like the 'swirly rugs' and metallic—effect wallpapers of the 1970s—are rapidly becoming only a memory. If you have some of these in your attic, don't throw them away. They are just as much part of the history of interior decoration in Wales as the silk—hung chambers of a Georgian mansion.

Posted: 12 November 2005

For further information/photographs:

Rhodri Ellis Owen, Cambrensis
Tel: 029 2025 7075
rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com

Notes to editors:

Cadw is the historic environment division of the Welsh Assembly Government with responsibility for protecting, conserving and promoting an appreciation of the historic environment of Wales. This includes historic buildings, ancient monuments, historic parks and gardens, landscapes and underwater archaeology. For more information go to Cadw's new—look website: www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

The book, 'Living Rooms — Interior Decoration in Wales 400—1960' is available from Cadw shops and by mail order from Cadw sales on 01443 336092 and retails at a price of £8.95.

Dr Charles Kightly trained as an academic historian.  Following a period as Research Author at the History of Parliament Trust (1971—77), he has worked continuously, and particularly in Wales, as an author, editor, exhibition and audiotour deviser and textwriter, consultant on historical tourism, and restorer and recreator of historic buildings and interiors.