Past Projects

c. 1300's with renovations c. 1860 Lychgate Whixley Church, North Yorkshire UK:

The Lychgate at Whixley Church, officially known as the Church of the Ascension, is a notable feature of the churchyard in the village of Whixley, North Yorkshire, England. The lychgate, leading into the graveyard, has an inscription "We all do fade as a leaf", which is a quote from the Bible. The church itself has a rich history, with parts of the building dating back to the 14th century, although the Domesday Book mentions a church existing on the site. Michiel was brought in to the fold of this project because the gate was suffering from improper maintenance. The wood was not being nourished and thus cracks were starting to form throughout. Michiel advised the use of Linseed Oil Pine Tar, a historically accurate finish, that would help protect the timber frame gate and supply it with the nourishment it would need to prevent further decay. Tar oil has been used for centuries for this kind of treatment.

c. 1549 Chatsworth Estate - Derbyshire, UK:

Chatsworth is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and has been home to the Cavendish family since December 1549. Hundreds of thousands of people visit every year and see Chatsworth’s public face; the house and its contents, the garden and its waterworks, the park, the farmyard and adventure playground. Michiel has worked with the Estate since 2014.  Services provided were preforming colour-matching for their eponymous estate blue. They had previously had problems with the quality of the paint supplied by their existing supplier, as well as incorrect information on the addition of zinc white. The blue paint they were supplied always lost its blue and turned grey over time. Michiel easily changed this to make sure that paint was made using the highest possible earth pigments and making sure cobalt blue was used instead of ultramarine (which bleaches by exposure to UV light). Michiel also makes sure that zinc white is always added to the paint in the factory, to get the best anti mould-growth properties.

c. 1693/1745 Hills House - East Hartford, Connecticut and Savannah, Georgia:

Originally built for Lt. Jonathan Hills and his wife Dorothy Hale on the banks of the Connecticut River. This significant First Period/Georgian "mansion house" had been left vacant for several years and was in imminent threat of demolition. The multi-year moving of the Hills House included every facet of restoration included but not limited to timber frame repairs, rebuilding of the center chimney including two original beehive bake ovens, re lathing the entirety of the house and re plastering using original "two coat" lime and sand plaster with lime wash finish, recreation of lost exterior millwork, new bathrooms, kitchen, electrical systems, plumbing, and HVAC, transforming it into a livable home and Inn business.

c. 1750-1776 Wallace House - Somerville, New Jersey:

The Wallace House is a Georgian style historic house, which served as the headquarters of General George Washington during the second Middlebrook encampment (1778–79). Michiel and Peter along Annabelle Radcliffe-Trenner, a premier Preservation Architect in the Mid-Atlantic Area, were brought in to help  the state of New Jersey with the exterior restoration of the house. Michiel and Peter are actively working alongside the trades people responsible for the project on appropriate exterior finishes and how to affectively execute them.

c. 1822 St. George's Greek Orthodox Church, Philadelphia, PA:

St. George's Church was designed by renowned English-born and trained architect, John Haviland. Construction began in 1822 with this Greek Revival design which is noted for its Ionic front modeled on the Temple of Bacchus at Teos. Originally built as an Episcopal Church, St. Andrew's, this church has undergone some ill informed exterior restoration of the years. Michiel and Peter are actively working alongside the trades people responsible for the project on appropriate exterior finishes and how to affectively execute them.

c. 1871 Second Empire Townhouse – Savannnah, GA:

Originally built for two sisters in the famed Forsyth Park area of Savannah, it had fallen on hard times and was in need of a major exterior restoration. Michiel and Peter launched a full scale effort to bring this 3 story townhouse back to its former glory. All the original Heart Pine mouldings, clapboards, exterior doors, window sash and slate roof were meticulously restored. All extant woodwork was scraped to the bare wood and necessary repairs were made at this time. After repairs, the woodwork was painted with historically appropriate Linseed Oil Paint by Brouns and Co.

c. 1884 Italianate Mansion – Savannah, Georgia:

Originally built for William Nichols, one of the leading printers in Savannah at the time. This grand Italianate Mansion in the heart of the Historic District of Savannah had seen many alterations over the years due to its use as a community center and apartments. Peter has since spent several years slowly undoing what changes had been done by previous tenants and owners. Work done on site includes window, floor, front porch and masonry restoration.

Notable Paint Restoration/Preservation Projects:

-Buckingham Palace
-Kensington Palace
-The Tijou Screen at Hampton Court Palace
-Natural History Museum (London)
-The Lady Diana Temple
-Queen's House National Maritime Museum,
-The Old War Office (London)
-President Lincoln's Cottage (Washington D.C.)