One of the jewels in Norfolk’s heritage crown has been restored to its former glory following a five-year conservation project. 

Work on the Cabinet Room at Felbrigg Hall, near Cromer, is drawing to a close with the re-dessing of an exceptional three-bay window. 

The project has included cleaning and re-instating paintings, wall hangings, furniture and carpets, as well as the commission of replica silk damask curtains to match the original set, which was first introduced to the room around 1830 by Felbrigg’s then owner, Admiral Windham.

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Textile historian, Annabel Westman, said the window dressings were the final piece of the jigsaw to complete the room.

Eastern Daily Press: Felbrigg Hall, near Cromer. Felbrigg Hall, near Cromer. (Image: Bill Smith)

She said: “The Cabinet Room is an outstanding example of its type, with so many items made for the room still surviving.

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"For too long the curtains, which would have matched those in the adjoining Drawing Room, have been missing to the detriment of the complete ensemble, but this project to conserve and restore the window treatment has given the room a renewed sense of place within this remarkable country house.”

Eastern Daily Press: Textile conservators Rachel Langley and Melanie Leach re-hang the Cabinet Room pelmet at Felbrigg Hall. Textile conservators Rachel Langley and Melanie Leach re-hang the Cabinet Room pelmet at Felbrigg Hall. (Image: Paul Bailey)

The window had lain bare for many years, only its original gilt cornice box and pelmet - a wooden framework used to conceal the curtain fixture - remaining.

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Textile conservator, Melanie Leach, said: “The addition of new replica silk damask and replica trimmings has extended it to fit the window bay as it would have when originally made. After 750 hours of conservation work in the studio, I feel very relieved that it is up and hanging again.”

Eastern Daily Press: The hanging of replica curtains in the Cabinet Room at Felbrigg. Photo by Amanda HulleyAmanda HulleyThe hanging of replica curtains in the Cabinet Room at Felbrigg. Photo by Amanda HulleyAmanda Hulley (Image: Amanda Hulley)

The replica crimson silk damask was specially woven by Humphries Weaving Company of Sudbury, Suffolk, based on the original curtain design. 

The National Trust-owned hall is open to visitors from Saturday to Wednesday, increasing to seven days a week from July 22 – September 6.

Eastern Daily Press: A spherical turned wood bobble hanger with signs of woodworm from the Cabinet Room at Felbrigg Hall A spherical turned wood bobble hanger with signs of woodworm from the Cabinet Room at Felbrigg Hall (Image: Emily Crouch)