Published: 06 February 2025
The imposing door that guards the entrance to the Hall may be closed until the 21st of March but behind the scenes is a hive of expert activity. Our 2025 conservation programme is in full swing, with a host of specialist architects, conservators and historians working together to sensitively and sympathetically restore areas of damage, wear and tear to both the interior and exterior of the Hall.
Following the devastating fire in 1871 that ravaged the west wing of the hall, William Cavendish, the 7th Duke of Devonshire, commissioned the esteemed Lancaster architects Sharpe, Paley and Austin to undertake the reconstruction. Their design embraced the Elizabethan Gothic style, a subset of the broader Gothic Revival movement. This architectural approach sought to revive elements of medieval Gothic architecture, characterised by pointed arches, intricate tracery, and vertical emphasis, while infusing them with Renaissance aesthetics.
Nowhere is this Gothic Revival style better exemplified internally than in the stunning Duke’s Bedroom where the wall coverings are classically “Pugin” in style. Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812–1852) was one of the most influential architects and designers of the 19th century, renowned for his role in the Gothic Revival movement. While he is best known for his architectural contributions, such as his work on the Houses of Parliament in London, Pugin also had a profound impact on interior decoration—especially wallpaper design. His vision for wallpapers was deeply rooted in his passion for medieval aesthetics, craftsmanship, and moral integrity in design.
Pugin’s Philosophy: Truth in Design
Pugin’s approach to wallpaper was shaped by his strong belief in authenticity and the revival of medieval art forms. He despised the superficiality of Victorian decorative arts, which often prioritised extravagance over substance. He rejected the overly intricate and illusionistic styles that had become fashionable during the Rococo and Neoclassical periods and instead, championed bold, geometric patterns, flat colours, and motifs inspired by medieval manuscripts, stained glass, and ecclesiastical architecture.
The Gothic Revival and Pugin’s Wallpaper Designs
Pugin played a crucial role in the resurgence of the Gothic style, not only in architecture but also in interior design. He believed that every element of a space—including furniture, textiles, and wallpaper—should reflect the same Gothic principles. His wallpaper patterns featured repeating motifs such as quatrefoils, heraldic symbols (as can be seen in the Duke’s Bedroom), stylised foliage, and interlacing tracery, all drawn from authentic medieval sources.
Pugin’s wallpapers were used in churches, private homes, and public buildings, aligning with the broader Gothic Revival aesthetic. Unlike the mass-produced wallpapers of the time, which often mimicked textures like wood and stone, Pugin’s designs celebrated flat, bold patterns that emphasised craftsmanship and historical continuity.
Pugin’s Legacy in Wallpaper Design
Although Pugin died young, his influence on wallpaper design was lasting. His ideas inspired the later Arts and Crafts Movement, led by figures like William Morris, who further advanced the concept of handcrafted, historically inspired wallpapers. Morris and his contemporaries built upon Pugin’s foundation, creating wallpapers that continued to reflect the integrity of design and medieval craftsmanship.
Respect for history and artistic integrity
Pugin’s commitment to historical accuracy and artistic integrity continues to shape the way we think about wallpaper—not merely as decoration but as an integral part of a room’s architectural and aesthetic identity. It was therefore important to us that the wall coverings damaged in the Duke’s bedroom be restored faithfully and accurately as a mark of respect to the 7th Duke of Devonshire’s legacy and to acknowledge the designs of Sharpe, Paley and Austin, Pugin and the Gothic Revival movement.
World-leading Cumbrian expertise
Enter Allyson McDermott, world-renowned wall-covering historian based just a short drive away in Cockermouth. Allyson and her team were involved right at the very outset of our restoration works. They carefully and expertly removed samples of the damaged wallpaper, packed them in specialist containers and transported them to their studio where the best pieces will be chosen, conserved and scanned for reproduction.
It is likely that work will continue into the season as our experts ensure the wall surface is ready for Allyson’s team to apply their bespoke reproduction wall covering, so when you visit (we open March 21st) you may even see our conservators hard at work, restoring the Duke’s Bedroom to its former Gothic revivalist glory.