HOLKHAM LINSEED PAINTS

For centuries prior to the Second World War, linseed oil paint was widely used across Europe. Afterwards, when the petro-chemical industry began to influence the global economy, new plastic-based paints were developed. These still dominate the market today.

However, linseed oil paint, which was first used in the 1700s, is enjoying a revival. It is the choice of people who are convinced by this natural and effective method of protecting wood, which on average, lasts 10 to 15 years before it needs to be re-painted.

Holkham Linseed Paint is made in Sweden, then shipped to us at the Holkham Estate on the North Norfolk coast. We are the sole UK distributors and can supply direct, or through one of our approved suppliers.

I first heard about Allback Linseed Oil Paint*, when its manufacturer, Hans Allback, visited Norfolk some years ago, to give a talk about the conservation and preservation benefits of using it.

More than 20 years ago, Hans and Sonja Allback started renovating and repainting windows with modern paints from Sweden’s largest paint manufacturers. They were not satisfied with the results. Within a few years, the paint started flaking and cracking.

What’s more, they were concerned about health issues relating to the high levels of solvents in some conventional paints. This was the start of a re-discovery of traditional painting methods. The Allbacks wanted to find out why windows and doors from the 1700s, 1800s and up to 1950, lasted longer than those from the 1960s to the present time.  The answer lay in the quality of wood that had been used up until the 1960s and the type of paint used - linseed oil paint.

Armed with this knowledge, Hans started to make his own linseed oil paints. His new generation of paints, based on original recipes, are easy to use and durable, as well as being environmentally friendly. The paints do not contain any solvents, toxins or preservatives and are already being used by customers across Europe.

Here at Holkham we are so pleased with the paint’s performance on the Grade II* Fig and Peach Houses within the Park’s Nursery Garden undertaken in 2001(see Case Studies) that we have now, in 2004, undertaken the full restoration of “The Late Vinery” too. This year we have continued using it and our Linseed Wax on the oak windows and doors of the Grade I Hall itself, as well as progressing with the repainting of the Estate cottages and several new properties built on the Estate.

We are now pleased to offer an extended palette of colours for both exterior and interior woodwork and walls, in an attractive array of muted shades, all made from natural pigments and natural healthy ingredients.

Viscount Coke
Managing Director
Holkham Linseed Paints

*For more information on Allback Linseed Oil Paint please visit their website: www.windowcraft.se

Click colour spots for information


White

Old White
Barley White

Buttermilk

Parchment

Sea Mist

Lichen

Wild Sage
Spruce Green
Holkham Green
Custard

Antique Gold

Ice Blue
Linseed Blue
Midnight Blue

Iron Primer
Brick Red

Chocolate

Houghton Brown
Black

Some colour reproduction on this website may not exactly match the actual colour of the paint.

 

HOLKHAM
LINSEED PAINTS
The Clock Tower
Longlands
Holkham
Wells-Next-The-Sea
Norfolk
NR23 1RU

Tel: (01328) 711348
Fax: (01328) 710368