About Britain & Co Ltd, specialist decorators, gilders and restorers

Heritage

With 50 years of experience in the country’s finest Grade I listed buildings, Britain & Co are at the forefront of crafting timeless British decoration. From historically accurate work with original materials, to practical re-creations of historic decoration using new materials, we assist heritage professionals to present their vision of the most important heritage interiors.

Our experience in historic schemes is extensive, with both directors involved in running projects during their careers at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, The Victoria & Albert Museum and many others. We have advised on colours, decoration and techniques drawing on our unrivalled experience of historic decoration.

Ethos

Our directors have worked at the highest levels of quality for many years and we know that an excellent finish requires passion and dedication.
The fundamental part of quality is excellent preparation. We know that our team of tradespeople represent your vision and your reputation, and appreciate you placing your trust in us.

Our decorators are all fully qualified and in many cases have decades of experience. We are also passionate about passing on our skills and regularly train apprentices in all aspects of decoration and restoration.

Expertise

Works

Three Generations of Craftsmanship

We are a small but perfectly formed company of decorators, gilders and restorers with a passion for decoration. With over a half-century of experience, our directors Cathy Littlejohn and Chris Britain are experts in the fields of specialist decoration, decorative art and the conservation of historic buildings. We are passionate about British craftsmanship and passing on works of decorative art to the next generation. We work with interior designers, architects and private clients to create and preserve beautiful spaces.

We carry out a broad range of historic and contemporary decorations

Fine decoration
Gilding and metal leaf
Contemporary finishes
Graining
Marbling
Stencilling
Trompe l’Oeil
Conservation

Our Core

Team

Chris Britain

Owner

Chris Britain has been a decorator for 40 years, and was apprenticed to his father, as specialist decorator, at the age of 15. He quickly became foreman and led major projects from an early age, at Bridgewater House, Buckingham Palace and the Foreign Office. He was awarded the Rose Bowl, the highest award in decoration, for his work at the Silver Galleries at the V&A Museum, and was also awarded a medal from HM the Queen for his contribution to the redecoration of Windsor Castle after the fire. He founded Britain & Co to draw on the heritage of three generations of the Britain family in decoration.

Cathy Britain ACR AAGradDipCons

Owner

Cathy Britain has a passion for paint, and has worked in the decoration industry for 15 years, leading many high-profile projects at Grade I Listed Properties. She holds degrees in Fine Art (Painting) and Building Conservation, and is also an accredited conservator (ACR). Cathy was made Director of a large specialist decorating company at age 31 and has continued to develop her career by co-directing Britain & Co Ltd. Cathy is a past Chair of the Traditional Paint Forum, has featured on London Evening News, and currently is a Skills Advisor to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST).

The Team

50 years experience

Our team of craftspeople, conservators and artisans are experts in the fine decorating skills, including loose-leaf gilding in gold leaf and other metals, glaze and broken finishes, patinas, marbling, graining, stencilling, faux effects and paperhanging. We encourage the sharing of knowledge between our team and a highly professional approach to their work.For larger projects we are also able to call on a highly experienced group of freelance artisans as well as small companies of complimentary specialisms, who all share our passion for interior decoration.

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