Conservation & repair

Alongside my work designing and creating contemporary designs in glass, I carry out restoration and repair work on windows that have been damaged or are simply suffering from the ravages of time.

I provide a complete restoration service for windows of all sizes and styles. Services include all stages of the process: removal of the window from site; research into the window's history, materials and construction; all repair and restoration work; re-installation of the stained glass. Where appropriate, I can also provide detailed documentation of the work carried out.

Past projects have varied in scale from single glass repairs in domestic settings to windows in cathedrals. Below are some examples of window repairs and restoration that have carried out. Some of these were done during my tenure at Canterbury Cathedral Studios where I was part of a wonderful team carrying out the conservation and restoration of windows dating from the 12th Century all the way up to the 20th Century.

Prior to my career in glass, I worked in the conservation & restoration of historic buildings and interiors. Working for a number of prestigious companies, I took part in restoration projects on buildings ranging from historically important private homes to high profile public buildings such as The British Museum and King’s College Chapel. This background gave me a real understanding of historic buildings and the sympathetic use of materials. It has also given me considerable experience of the procedures and committees involved in undertaking works in these settings. I always strive to keep abreast of current ‘best practice’ and techniques of stained glass restoration, as well as the most up-to-date techniques and materials, and undertake regular research and attend conferences in the UK and across Europe.

Some repairs can be carried out on site, others require the careful removal of the window so that it can be worked on in the studio. I use the highest quality materials, replicating the original design faithfully and carefully matching the glass, paint colour and the painting technique and style used. For badly damaged windows, or for windows where the original glass has been lost, I undertake research, referencing other pieces by the window’s creator and designer, and other historical documentation, to recreate the original design as accurately as possible. You can see an step-by-step example of my recreation of a badly damaged antique window, ‘The Nativity’ from St. Anne’s Church, here…

I am happy to provide free initial advice on how to proceed with your repair/restoration project, and to give you an idea of the cost, so if you have a damaged window that requires restoration or replacement, contact me here…

(top images courtesy of Canterbury Cathedral)

"As Was is now gallery restoration"

In 2023 I was asked to carry out the restoration work of the original leaded glass sign of a shop front in Ramsgate, now the ‘As Was Is Now’ art gallery. The original historic shopfront was discovered when a modern sign was removed during the renovation of the shop. It needed some TLC so, with the help of a High Street Heritage Grant, Jo Smith, the gallery owner, asked if I could undertake the restoration. I was able to source historically accurate glass for the repairs from a studio in Cumbria as it was important to remain true to the original work.

SAINT AGNES WINDOW

St. Michael and All Angels Church, Barnes

The Saint Agnes window in St. Michael and All Angels church was badly damaged. It required extensive reconstruction and, because several sections were missing, had to be re-drawn using historical sources as reference material.

ST. John: East Window

Holy Trinity Church, Queenborough

As with Saint Agnes, above, this window at Holy Trinity Church, depicting Saint John, required a large amount of reconstruction and repainting.

Grace carefully reconstructed the image, referencing surviving fragments of glass to recreate the image.

Antique door panel

This early 20th Century glass panel was smashed beyond repair. Fortunately enough of the original had survived to allow it to be carefully copied.

St. Mary of Charity, Faversham

It was possible to remove this panel from its window for repair. In order to keep as much of the original glass as possible, the damaged section was removed and remade before both pieces were re-leaded into place in the window.

St. Mary of Charity, Faversham

This section of window was also able to be taken out without disturbing the window. It was remade in the studio before being put back into the window.

St. Margaret's Church, Westminster

This window was severely damaged and had to be removed to the studio where it was repaired by referencing fragments of the broken glass and other reference materials.

Grace Ayson

Conservation & repair

"As Was is now gallery restoration"

SAINT AGNES WINDOW

ST. John: East Window

Antique door panel

St. Mary of Charity, Faversham

St. Mary of Charity, Faversham

St. Margaret's Church, Westminster

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