Olveston Maintenance and Care

The Quest For Original Elegance

The city of Dunedin is indeed blessed with an asset like Olveston having been gifted so completely intact, allowing a clear and distinctive representation of the way of life lived by the single family that occupied the property from 1904 to 1966.

The trust deed prepared in 1967 and revised in 1996, is the governing document which establishes the manner in which Olveston is to be operated as an historic house open to the public. The deed provides, and indeed charges, the trustees to maintain the gift in a sound, efficient and responsible manner. The ingredients of this role are encompassed in The Theomin Gallery's statement of purpose prepared in 1992, prior to the commencement of the significant programmes carried out over the past decade. Some of the programmes are highlighted in this section. Mr David Theomin's personal book plate quotes "Let things be done shipshape and Bristol fashion." This quotation is ever present in the minds of the management committee.

Maintenance programmes are researched and carried out in a manner that conforms and complements the overall original style, design and way of life that the Theomin family enjoyed at Olveston, while taking account of the historical classification and significance of the asset. The trust is grateful for the detailed and invaluable assistance it receives from many sources through the course of the ongoing care of the property.

The Sitting Room

The room was used by the daughter, Miss Dorothy Theomin, as a recreational room and for entertaining personal friends. She occupied the house at age seventeen after she returned from finishing school in England.

Before redecoration

After redecoration

Wall, ceiling and wooden trim colours were reproduced from the original colour scheme. A fibre wall lining was applied to the internal surfaces to give strength to the plaster and provide a convincing substitute for the original textured wallpaper. The wall colour was matched to the original blue/green and harmonised with the carpet square specifically manufactured for Olveston by the design team at Feltex New Zealand in Christchurch, New Zealand from an original piece.

Edward's Room

This was the private room of son Edward Theomin. Edward was 22 when Olveston was ready for the family to occupy.

This room was first opened to the tour in 1994, having previously been occupied by live-in residents. The restoration is a blend of well documented furnishings with memorabilia relating to Edward.

The decorative design and colour is plain, complemented by a panelling effect created by an internal crinkled paper banding. The floor is polished boards and is set off by a carpet square reproduced for Olveston by Feltex New Zealand from an original design and pattern.

The room is enlivened by the oak bedroom suite referred to in the original 1907 inventory as a complete set.

Miss Theomin's Bedroom

Original decoration discovered

This room forms a personal suite when combined with the sitting room. Much of Olveston remained unchanged during the family's occupancy except for the rooms occupied by Miss Theomin. She made some decorative changes to accommodate her tastes and comfort. This room was her bedroom occupied by her when she was a young lady.

The original design and colour of the room now is in close conformity with the character of the next-door sitting room. She expressed her decided taste with a very fashionable French influenced turn of the century application of turquoise panels fused with striped perimeters and by pink ribbon borders.

Original style restored

The Master Green Suite

This suite was originally Mr and Mrs Theomin's private rooms, made up from a master bedroom and dressing room. Dorothy moved into this suite in the early 1950's and made changes to the decoration to suit her own needs.

Before redecoration

After redecoration

The restoration of the green suite was a major undertaking and completes the family's private upstairs rooms, placing their style and decoration into the 1906-1926 period.

The Garage and Carport

With the location and pending restoration of the family 1921 Fiat 510 Tourer, the garage and carport, which was in poor state of repair, was prepared for the home-coming of the car.

New sarking and reproofing of the garage was completed. Original style terracotta shingles were sourced and the garage walls were structurally strengthened with metal portals.

The original carport was in an unstable condition and required demolishing and rebuilding.

The restored structure was replicated from the original design and rebuilt in 1996 with the occupancy and visitor viewing of the Fiat in mind.

The Care of the Collections

Dilana Rugs in Christchurch New Zealand carefully replicate the design of an important original rug. The manufacturing method of the reproduction accommodates the heavy foot traffic the house now attracts.

A carpet runner is machined by Feltex New Zealand for laying in the billiard room.

A significant oriental collection receives special attention.

The process of cleaning and protecting follows traditional methods and is carried out by a suitably qualified specialist from Japan.

The original screen printed hessian (burlap) wall covering in the main hall receives detailed attention.

Many hours of needlework have restored the material to stable condition.

A beaded lampshade receives a clean and the glass beads are restrung and reattached.

The shade is completed with 693 threads each containing 43 glass beads giving a total of 29 799 beads, each one cleaned and restrung by hand. 56 hours of the conservator's work was involved.

A number of tapestries are contained in the collection and not all are on display. This French tapestry from the drawing room is given special attention.

Olveston contains a number of fine embroideries in the collection. Two important bedspreads are worked on prior to retaking their place in the master bedroom suite. Attention to detail in the care of the collections has intensified to ensure the best possible presentation of original material.