Colour and the Smaller Eighteenth Century London Townhouse

Patrick Baty, historian of architectural paint and colour, will provide a brief description of what paint is; why it was used and when house-painting started in the UK. During the eighteenth century ready-mixed paint colours were sold by the colourmen and he will show how they were able to increase their output and lower their prices. He will outline the conventions behind the application of paint and show examples of correct usage in recently restored 18th century houses. Benjamin Franklin House is one of few where the redecoration was based on an analysis of the painted surfaces and which best illustrates early practices.