The document discusses the re-creation of the Elizabethan garden at Kenilworth Castle, originally built by Robert Dudley in 1575 for Queen Elizabeth I. Restoration challenges included matching the color of the new paint to the historical stone, with specific adjustments made to address color discrepancies. The project culminated in a completed garden that harmonizes new and old elements, showcasing a successful correction of previously problematic colors.

1. Kenilworth CastleElizabethan Garden2009

2. English Heritage has recently re-created one of the greatest gardens of the Elizabethan age.The original was built by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 1575.

3. The contractor had made a good attempt to match the colour of the local stone. However, the initial coat of paint had produced an unfortunate effect and the painted green oak looked like plastic.Patrick Baty of Papers and Paints was asked to help.

4. The situation was worse where the pinky-brown was juxtaposed with the green of the grass. The phenomenon known as Complementary Contrast caused the balustrade to look too red.

5. Measurements were taken from all variations of the stone – old and new – and boards painted up.

6. The best colour was selected for further trials. The colour had to work with the new stone of the Aviary and the old stone of the Castle.

7. Four obelisks were painted to resemble porphyry

8. A red base coat was applied on top of a white undercoat

9. This shows the three stages of the porphyry

10. The newly-carved fountain is being assembled

11. The top of the globe is being lowered into position

12. The finished work

13. The original colourThe corrected colour on the balustrade

14. The completed garden (1)

15. The completed garden (2)

16. The completed garden (3)

17. The corrected colour against the old castle walls

18. The bejewelled Aviary in its corrected colour

19. The completed garden (4)

20. The completed garden (5)

21. A view from the old Castle (1)

22. A view from the old Castle (2)

23. By Appointment toHer Majesty The QueenArchitectural Paint SpecialistsPapers and Paints LtdFor more information on what we do:www.papers-paints.co.uk