Full restoration and redecoration of a period hallway and staircase — combining traditional architectural detail with bold contemporary feature ceilings for a luxury boutique-hotel feel.
BeforeAfterThis project involved the full restoration and redecoration of a beautiful period hallway and staircase — combining traditional architectural details with a bold modern finish.
The property had suffered from years of wear, previous water damage, tired woodwork and inconsistent old coatings. Our goal was to restore the original character of the space whilst introducing a clean, high-end contemporary feel through the use of deep feature ceilings and crisp neutral walls.
The result completely transformed the property entrance and stairwell into a luxury statement space.
Door frames, architraves and skirting had suffered significant historic water damage with delamination, flaking coatings and exposed timber. Damaged sections were sanded back, stabilised and rebuilt with two-pack wood filler before being sealed and primed — a critical step to stop staining and movement bleeding through the new finish.
Original doors were removed, sanded back, filled around old ironmongery cut-outs and prepared for refinishing. Knots and resinous areas sealed with Zinsser BIN before primer to prevent yellowing or bleed-through under the new satin top coats.
Decorative ceiling mouldings carefully bagged and protected, all woodwork primed and walls receiving their first coat. Protection of the chandelier, period rose and surrounding finishes was critical given the value of the original architectural detail.
Deep feature ceiling colour cut in carefully against the cornice and walls. Crisp transitions between the dark ceiling, the cornice line and the off-white walls give the finished hallway its architectural definition.
Ceilings and cornice fully coated in the deep feature tone, with walls progressing in the durable matt emulsion. The contrast between the dark ceiling and clean walls immediately starts to transform the feel of the property.
Upper staircase walls and ceilings finished — a clean, bright base with a sharply defined cornice line. Surface protection and access works carefully managed around the high stairwell throughout.
The first-floor landing finished — deep feature ceiling, restored original cornice and ceiling rose, off-white walls and crisp white woodwork. The chandelier reads beautifully against the darker ceiling, giving the space a luxury boutique-hotel atmosphere in the evenings.
Original arched passageway with restored corbel and cornice detailing. Deep ceiling colour pulls the eye through the hallway whilst the off-white walls keep the space feeling light and architectural.
Original decorative fanlight above the inner doors carefully restored and repainted, with crisp white woodwork framing the period detailing. The deep ceiling colour wraps over the architrave for a continuous, intentional finish.
Stairwell finished with restored original handrail, repainted balustrade and clean off-white walls. The dark ceiling carries through the entire stairwell, tying the scheme together from front door to landing.
Extensive preparation across every surface. Historic water damage around door frames was sanded back, stabilised and rebuilt using two-pack wood filler before being primed and stain-blocked with Zinsser. All walls, mouldings and woodwork were dust-controlled sanded with Mirka extraction to protect the occupied property. Cracks, failed caulk lines and surface imperfections were cut out, refilled and recaulked before any finishing coats were applied.
Walls finished in a washable durable matt emulsion for everyday hallway wear. Woodwork — doors, frames, skirting, dado and architrave — refinished in a hard-wearing satin for sharp definition and long-term durability. Ceilings, cornice and decorative mouldings finished in a deep feature tone, creating a dramatic contrast against the off-white walls and restored original woodwork.
The final finish completely transformed the entrance hall and staircase into a sharp, elegant and modernised space whilst retaining all of the property's original charm and architectural detailing.
The combination of detailed restoration work, dust-controlled preparation and premium finishing products delivered a durable, high-end result designed to last.
The bold dark ceilings paired with restored original woodwork and clean neutral walls give the property a luxury boutique-hotel feel — bright and clean during the day, dramatic and atmospheric under lamplight.
"The hallway feels like a completely different property. The dark ceilings against the restored woodwork have transformed the whole entrance."
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Skip the site visit on smaller jobs — share photos of the rooms or surfaces and we'll come back with an indicative figure within one working day.
Whether it's a single room or a full home redecoration, we'd be glad to discuss your plans and provide a detailed, no-obligation quotation.
We are best suited to well-planned decorating projects — full rooms, multi-room redecorations, exteriors, spray finishes, panelling and commercial works.
