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Anna Kettle – Pargeter

Anna Kettle - Pargeter

Parget (pronounced ParJet), pargeting, pargetting, parging, pargework

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Parget and pargeting by Anna Kettle – Pargeter

Pargeting is the ancient traditional artisan craft of freehand decorative modelling in lime plaster. These days decorative pargets are most frequently seen in East Anglia, decorating the outside of houses. Stucco is the Italian word for the same set of techniques, used most frequently on ceilings and overmantels inside houses.

I repair and conserve old plaster pargets and create brand new pargets

I have worked in the building trade for many years. My trade is ‘pargeter’. We are a rare trade on the Radcliffe Red List. A pargeter creates architectural designs by free hand modelling with lime plaster onto overmantels friezes panels ceilings and walls. 

With a blank canvas to work on the pargeter and the client could choose whatever designs they liked, ranging from simple scratched patterns to highly ornate freehand modelling of horses and their riders.  I work closely with the client to interpret and realise their dreams. 

I walk into historically interesting houses which have become sadly run down and I transform them for 21stC living while emphasising their character according to best conservation principles.

  • gatehouse walls pargeted similar style
    Gatehouse walls pargeted similar style
  • Parget overmantel new Tudor style gatehouse
    Overmantel in a new Tudor style gatehouse
  • gatehouse walls pargeted similar style
    Gatehouse walls pargeted similar style

In a new ‘Tudor’ gatehouse in Kent is a first floor room. I decorated it with pargets inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. Over the fireplace I pargeted in high relief William the Conqueror’s ship arriving in full sail and along the side walls, motifs of kings and lions.

  • pargeted combed pattern
    Pargeted combed pattern
  • Pargeted Frieze and baker visually join old bakery and main house
    Frieze and baker to visually join an old bakery and the main house
  • Parget farmhouse frieze end motifs
    Frieze with various end motifs

An old bakery and some chicken sheds had been joined to make a house and I pargeted a frieze of corn along the front to visually join them together. On the wall which joins the two buildings, I pargeted Mr Bun the Baker.

  • A one meter diameter motif to balance up a wall which was ‘missing’ a window
  • One metre panels of plantlife on a low hallway ceiling which needed to have presence
  • Sheep in Coggeshall, home of the wool trade

Historic Plaster Conservation and Restoration

I am a qualified and experienced plasterer and plaster conservator and I offer Researched reports and heritage statements, advice on the plaster works which you plan to do and hands on conservation and restoration of ornamental and historically important plasterwork.

  • Plaster ceiling in need of conservation
    Plaster ceiling in need of conservation
  • Plaster arch over Window
    Plaster arch over Window
  • Parget - Plaster in need of conservation
    Parget – Plaster in need of conservation

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A Pargeter

A pargeter creates architectural designs by free hand modelling with lime plaster onto overmantels, friezes, panels, ceilings and walls.

Contact Me

07976 649862
Anna@kettlenet.co.uk 
Please feel free to phone or email for free advice

Based Where

I am based near St Neots, Cambridgeshire but I am happy to work anywhere if the work is interesting.

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