A Six-Week Project at Government House, St. John’s, Newfoundland
In February, my team at Lori LeMare Studio had the privilege of working on a truly remarkable project: restoring the intricate murals of the ceilings at the Government House in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The paintings, dating back to 1890, required careful attention to preserve the original craftsmanship while ensuring the restoration would stand the test of time.
The project took six weeks to complete, and the restoration process was a balance of art, precision, and patience. Each brushstroke and touch-up had to align with the building's rich history, ensuring that the ceiling murals were masterfully revived. We focused on restoring the artwork by first removing any loose and flaking paint. The process then involved priming, filling, and infill painting to match the surrounding hand-painted ornament, carefully ensuring that each section was brought back to its former glory.
Once we assessed the areas needing attention, I had one team member in each room work to flake off the paint. As they prepared the surfaces, I worked on colour matching some of the paint chips that had been removed. After finding the perfect match, we completed the restoration by carefully touching up the damaged areas.
Our team, including Gord Pullar, Tricia Cook, Diane McGrath-Lokos, and Bailey Sprenger, worked tirelessly to ensure that every element of the ceiling’s artistry was revived. Their hard work and attention to detail allowed us to give this building a fresh lease on its original beauty.
However, there were some unique challenges along the way. It became apparent that previous restoration efforts had been made in 1987 and again in 2005. Unfortunately, some of that work was failing, meaning we often found ourselves restoring not just the original artwork but also correcting the work done by other restorers. The challenge lay in blending these repairs with the original details, creating a seamless transition that respected both the original craftsmanship and the previous restorations. We focused on finding a happy medium where the restored areas blended in with the original, creating a harmonious result.
One special aspect of the project was our lunch with the honourable Joan Marie Aylward, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and her husband Carl Thompson, which was both lovely and meaningful. We enjoyed a delicious meal of soup, sandwiches, and pie, prepared by the Government House chef, in the "morning room" — a charming space being used while the dining room was under restoration. We spoke of our mutual love for Newfoundland, the island's writers, and even the serious issue of homelessness, making for a truly memorable conversation.
Of course, no project comes without its challenges. During one particularly intense snowstorm, we faced an unexpected delay. The storm had shut down the city, and the roads weren't plowed. Fortunately, we were staying within walking distance of the Government House, but it still meant that when we finally managed to dig out our front steps, we had to walk knee-deep in snowbanks just to get to work. The staff couldn't make it due to the weather, but the guard graciously let us in, and we had the entire building to ourselves that day. Through sleet, rain, and snow, the decorative paint restoration must prevail!
Looking back, this restoration project at Government House stands as a true testament to the dedication and skill that goes into preserving our history. I'm grateful to have had such an incredible team and the opportunity to work on such a significant piece of Newfoundland’s architectural heritage.