Yr Ysgwrn, Snowdonia

We assisted with the reproduction and reinstatement of historic wallpaper and painted schemes within this Grade II* 1830’s traditional Welsh farmhouse.

  • The Farmhouse Yr Ysgwrn ©️Purcell

    The Farmhouse Yr Ysgwrn ©️Purcell

  • Original wallpaper extant during Hedd Wyn’s occupancy

    Original wallpaper extant during Hedd Wyn’s occupancy

  • The reproduced wallpaper

    The reproduced wallpaper

  • The cegin

    The cegin

Yr Ysgwrn is the focal point of a number of related buildings all sitting within the curtilage of a wider farm complex that was the home of the poet Hedd Wyn. In 2012 the Snowdonia National Park Authority and its partners secured Yr Ysgwrn for the nation and appointed Purcell as consultants to produce a Conservation Plan. 

We were commissioned to assist with an exciting component of the plan to research comprehensively the interior decorative schemes within the farmhouse, and notably the wallpapers in the cegin. In a traditional Welsh home the cegin was the focal point of family life- the “heart of the home”. This was achieved by:

  • Removing a large sample of the thick accumulated layers (around 26) to separate in our labs at the University of Lincoln
  • Identifying the selvedge, complete with an indication of manufacturer and registration numbers, allowing for accurate dating of each wallpaper layer
  •  Narrowing down the wallpaper extant in the cegin at the time of Hed Wynn’s occupancy – a bold and busy pink and green floral design 
  • Reproducing the wallpaper
  • Providing consultancy on the reinstatement of the paper and painted surfaces 

We are proud to have played a key role in this RIBA award-winning project and its transformation into a moving and inspiring visitor experience.