Lincrusta-Walton, or the Sunbury Wall Decoration as it was also known, was established in 1877 by Frederick Walton (the inventor of Linoleum). Named ‘Lin’ for Linum (flax from which linseed oil is made) and ‘crusta’ meaning relief. Lincrusta was an instant success, with designs applied in many settings from royal palaces to railway carriages as well as Victorian homes. British made – Lincrusta continues to be manufactured in Morecambe, Lancashire using the same traditional methods and natural ingredients. This unique product which adds luxurious texture and depth, is currently available in a range of over 40 designs to suit classic or contemporary interiors, with wonderful wallcoverings, delightful dados, fabulous friezes and borders to choose from. Painted after installation – the possibilities are endless!
As an Approved Lincrusta Installer and Restorer, trained to advanced level by Lincrusta, Frank provides the highest standard of service from supply and installation, to finishing the Lincrusta in your chosen colour scheme, with optional added decorative effects.
Click below to view the current Lincrusta collection and the Lincrusta~Morris & Co collaborative collection.
We have been fans of Lincrusta for many years and Frank officially became an Approved Lincrusta Installer in 2015. In our work we are often asked similar questions over and again so we decided that it’s time we published our most Frequently Asked Questions for all to read.
We hope our answers about Lincrusta will help to inform your choices when renovating or decorating your homes and commercial spaces.
Lincrusta textured wallcoverings have been around since 1877 and are made from natural ingredients – a Linseed-based paste pressed onto a backing paper. Lincrusta is available in a range of classic and contemporary designs and currently manufactured in Morecambe, Lancashire, using the same traditional methods. Lincrusta is both water resistant and fire retardant, making it a durable and versatile solution for decorating any room. Available in 10m rolls.
Lincrusta relief wallpaper is solid all the way through to the backing paper. Lincrusta is washable and cures with age making it much more durable than Anaglypta. Anaglypta is an embossed paper pulp, which is hollow and easily flattened when pressed.
Identifying which is which.
Frank’s simple TOP TIP to tell the difference:
As Lincrusta ages, it also ‘cures’/hardens, making it extremely durable, lasting for years to come. That is why you see many installations in period homes still wearing well today. Lincrusta once installed and primed, can be painted in any finish to suit your interior style and personal taste. Add optional decorative finishes to create your own unique backdrop. Just re-pain it for a fresh new look!
How old is your property? Many of the pre-1939 production rollers were melted down for the war effort, which means those period designs are now out of production. But, don’t worry – if you have a period property with a vintage Lincrusta or Anaglypta design in need of repairs – we have a solution!
The Lincrusta Restoration Kit was developed specifically for restoring beautiful old designs. This method is also suitable for restoring heritage Anaglypta and other similar relief wallpapers that came to market from the 1870’s to 1900. Frank can make a mould from a good area, enabling him to replicate additional panels as needed for a sympathetic restoration of dados, friezes, wallpaper and ceilings.
Lincrusta and Anaglypta have a partly shared company history. Through our work we love to learn more about the history and designers behind these wonderful old wallpapers. We have a growing archive collection of our own and access to company archives. We wanted to share our discoveries to inspire new generations of Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian homeowners and to help care for these treasures for generations to come.
Read our Lincrusta and Anaglypta History article to discover which came first and how they are related.
We have access to both company archives, which helps us to identify designs we are asked to repair and restore.
Historical Lincrusta friezes can be repaired using the Lincrusta Restoration Kit to make a mould and replocate in panels as needed.
Franks recently worked on a Victorian Mill manager’s house which was remodelled to suit modern day family living. The lounge and dining room were knocked through and a doorway blocked up, leaving a section of hallway with no dado. Pre-1939 Lincrusta and Anaglypta designs like what was present are no longer in production but can be copied and replicated using a Lincrusta Restoration Kit.
Lincrusta is a heavy, embossed wallcovering and isn’t installed like a traditional wallpaper. First, each piece of Lincrusta needs to be hand-trimmed before it is installed because the production process creates a protective salvage strip along the roll edges to protect the detail. Also, cutting around features such as fireplaces, etc., can be tricky so know-how for handling Lincrusta is essential.
Frank is an Approved Lincrusta Installer and Restorer with advanced level training from Lincrusta. This means you can be rest assured of the highest standard of workmanship. Frank works across North West England and occasionally beyond. Based near Lancaster, he is ideally positioned to work across Lancashire, the Lake District and into the Yorkshire Dales, taking each enquiry on its merit. He has previously worked on projects in France and Vancouver, Canada!
Thank you for reading this far. If there is anything we’ve not covered, or if you would like some advice about your own project, please send your enquiry by email to us at email@frankholmesltd.com. We would love to hear from you!
We feel incredibly honoured to work with our clients on their Lincrusta projects. Showcased below are a selection of the exceptional projects we’ve completed.
A4 sized unfinished Lincrusta samples are free of charge. Also, for a small fee, Frank will provide painted A4 samples, or a larger sample board in your chosen design scheme so that you can see how a decorative effect would look before you start.
If you would like to commission your own Lincrusta installation by Frank for your residential or commercial property, or have any enquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Whether you have a residential, commercial or interior design project we’d love to have a chat about how we can help.
