大象传媒

5 November 2013 Last updated at 17:25

In pictures: the restoration of Llanelly House

Llanelly House is a Grade I listed building in Llanelli. The Llanelly House Project began with the 2003 大象传媒 Restoration series. The building was a finalist, championed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Before restoration began, it was derelict.

The house is the former home of the Stepney family. Built in 1714 by Thomas Stepney, MP for Carmarthenshire, the house was constructed on the site of their previous family home, and at the time was an example of fashionable architectural design: a Roman-style dwelling. This picture shows a room as restoration begins.

By the start of the 19th century, the house had fallen into disrepair. It was converted into a mix of residential and commercial use. It was bought by Llanelli Town Council in 1998, in need of restoration. This picture shows one of the rooms during restoration. Each new timber beam or joist revealed by archaeologists was painstakingly recorded and logged with numerous partners including CADW, English Heritage and the National Museum of Wales.

A carpenter at work, staining the staircase as it would have been in Georgian times.

A paint restorer at work cleaning up two paintings from the house. They were covered in 300 years' worth of dirt (tar and nicotine) and varnish. He is using a scalpel to carefully scrape away at the dirt. The restored paintings are now on display in the house.

The attic during restoration. There is a story attached to the room, which belonged to Mira Turner, head housemaid. She allegedly got pregnant by the butler, and shortly afterwards, fell down the steep stairs to her death in 1851. The attic room has been furnished as it might have been in Mira鈥檚 time there.

The attic after restoration.

Lady Stepney鈥檚 chamber, following restoration. It is furnished as it might have been in the 1760s. The restored Llanelly House will have a much wider purpose than to provide a snapshot of the elegant splendour of a Georgian house. Community initiatives and schemes will aim to ensure that the people of Llanelli and their stories are central to the house.

Post-restoration: Llanelly House, 2013. The building is now open to the public after 10 years of restoration. Llanelly House Restored is on 大象传媒 Two, 5 November at 19:00 and will be available on iPlayer.

大象传媒

Wales

In pictures: the restoration of Llanelly House

Share this page

Services

About 大象传媒 News