Cathy Britain ACR

28 May 2025

I am an Icon-accredited Conservator-Restorer specialising in the conservation and restoration of painted and gilded surfaces, architectural paint research and the reinstatement of historic decorative schemes. I have worked in historic interiors since 2001, in Grade I listed buildings, livery halls, museums and royal palaces.

In 2015 I co-founded Britain & Co with Chris Britain, Master Decorator, so that conservation judgement and traditional decorative craft sit in one team. Recent work includes reinstating the ceiling of St Stephen's Chapel, West Norwood Cemetery, from our own paint research; the stencilled and gilded scheme of the William Morris dining room at Palace Green; Queen Mary's graining at Kensington Palace for Historic Royal Palaces; and the South Drawing Room at Sir John Soane's Museum.

I am a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers, a past Chair of the Traditional Paint Forum, and have lectured for SPAB, the Architectural Association and RICS.

Work History

2015 to present: Director, Britain & Co Ltd
2010 to 2015: Director, Hare & Humphreys Ltd
2007 to 2010: Conservation Manager, Hare & Humphreys Ltd

Hatfield House, Long Gallery

Britain & Co undertook the conservation of the ceiling of the Long Gallery, Hatfield House. This included the stabilisation and repair of plaster cracking, conservation of painted and gilt surfaces, and retouching of repairs.

Private Residence, York, Before Treatment

Following a water leak and catastrophic failure of a historic ceiling in this country house, Britain & Co were employed to remove the marouflage ceiling canvas, conserve offsite and re-hang following the replacement of the ceiling beds.

Private Residence, York, Retouching

Locarno Suite, Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Following a water leak, we were commissioned to selectively repair and reinstate two areas of this elaborate stencilled scheme, including colour matching, gilding and hand-cutting stencils.

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