Case Study: Kennet Orley

Sherriff Stained Glass Specialists is currently undertaking a large window refurbishment project at Kennet Orley in West Berkshire. Completed in 1908 by renowned Scottish architect Sir Mervyn Edmund Macartney to use as his home, Kennet Orley is an impressive Grade II listed building with the property covering approximately nine acres.

Looking over Watership Down this William and Mary-styled home required a wealth of refurbishment from the experts at Sherriff Stained Glass Specialists. We have been brought in to help return this British architectural gem to the top of its game. To this end, we are refurbishing the metal opening windows and re-making 55 new windows. All of this work must be done by hand to ensure that every single leaded window fits perfectly. Related to this are some stone repairs to the south-facing side of the house.

Sir Mervyn Macartney is best known for his work on St Paul’s Cathedral in London, where he worked as the main architect and surveyor to the Dean and Chapter from 1906 to 1931. During his time at the cathedral extensive preservation and structural fortification of the dome structure was undertaken - the effects of which can still be seen today.

Sir Mervyn was also a founder member of the Art Workers Guild, an organisation established by a group of architects heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts artistic movement. It is still active to this day. Knighted in 1930 Sir Mervyn contributed significantly to British turn of the century architecture.

Update: Sherriff Stained Glass Specialists has now completed this project. Please see photos of the finished building below.

If you own a property that has leaded windows and you don’t know how to care for them, take a look at our blog on how to care for leaded windows.For more information on our work involving the manufacture and restoration of leaded windows, call the Sherriff Stained Glass Specialists team on 01202 882208 or email info@lead-windows.co.uk.