The Scenario

Leading Art Nouveau architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh was commissioned to re-style the interior of this otherwise unimposing house at 78, Derngate, Northampton.

The Issue

The challenge was to investigate and recreate Mackintosh's original scheme. Other than a set of black and white photographs and a feature in ' Ideal Home ' no evidence survived.

The Scope of the Project

Allyson McDermott worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team which dealt with structural alterations and repairs, textiles and carpets and furniture, as well as wall coverings.

Her role included:

• Historical research including using Rennie Mackintosh's original designs at Glasgow's Hunterian Museum and examining other examples of his work.
• Examining residual pigment particles and fibres throughout the rooms gain physical evidence for the recreation.
• Recreating the complex stencil decoration in the main lounge hall.
• Using modern image enhancement and manipulation to digitally reproduce wallpapers for the dining room, bathroom and master bedroom.

The Outcome

The process of investigation and recreation has provided an illuminating insight into the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the working practices of the period.