Highclere Castle estate dates back to 749 AD and has since evolved into the familiar Jacobean building and interiors that form the backdrop to the worldwide hit that is Downton Abbey. Sir Charles Barry designed and built the existing building in the 1840’s. The stunning park and gardens within which the Castle sits, were created by Capability Brown.
Lord and Lady Carnarvon commissioned Humphries Weaving, specialists in bespoke fabric design for heritage homes, to create a design for the Mercia Bedroom, one of Highclere’s most distinctive heritage interiors.
The bedroom is furnished with a beech tester bed with Chinese late 18th to early 19th Century embroidered silks. With a matching gilt canapé en suite, bergère and side chairs in a Louis XVI style.
These embroidered silks had sadly slowly disintegrated. Humphries Weaving began work to create a woven jacquard in silk which would take inspiration from and complement the extant covers.
To recreate the richness and texture of embroidery within a woven construction, Humphries Weaving developed a specialist weave structure to create depth and movement within the cloth, evoking the character of the original hand-embroidered crewel work whilst showcasing the possibilities of contemporary weaving.
Steve Norman and his team beautifully restored and upholstered the furniture in the Mercia Bedroom. Their exceptional craftsmanship has ensured the stunning new fabric integrates seamlessly within one of Britain's most admired heritage interiors. The project demonstrates Humphries Weaving's expertise in creating thoughtful bespoke fabric design for heritage homes, balancing conservation and craftsmanship.
Project Reference: 5568
