The collection
Plaster, wood, stone, brick and tile in older and newer homes: how these materials are made, how they age, and what the craftsmanship behind them reveals.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Brick, stone and render weather differently because of porosity, mortar and finish. Learn the early signs of decay, the repair mistakes that speed it up and how to clean older walls safely.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Encaustic and ceramic tiles differ in how their patterns are made. Learn how inlaid, cement and glazed tiles were produced, the designs common in older homes and how to care for them.
Materials and Craftsmanship
How lime plaster hardens, how it grips wood lath and masonry, and why gypsum patches and film-forming paints can trap moisture and damage older walls.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Joints, saw and plane marks, finish layers and fasteners all reveal how an older piece was made. Learn which clues to check, how to read them in good light and when to leave a piece alone.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Practical ways to tell solid wood from veneer in furniture and fittings using edges, grain, joints and wear, and what each finding means for repair and care.