The owners wanted period decorative finishes brought back to a coherent standard across the principal rooms: fluted columns, wall panels, staircase newels and mirror frames that had been damaged, over painted or dulled over time.
North West Murals Ltd carried out the work in stages, agreeing samples for marble effects, stencil repeats and gilding tone before full application in the occupied home.
The same craft approach applies to country cottages, listed townhouses and family homes across Warrington, Manchester, Liverpool and Cheshire.
Columns and marble effects
Faux marble and scumble glaze on fluted columns and wall panel borders, combined with burnished gold leaf on column bases and ceiling details.
Drawing room stenciling
Replication and application of historic stencil patterns on decorative wall panels, including a bespoke hand-cut scheme for the principal drawing room.
Floral stencil border reinstated beside a gilded mirror
Losses and filler repairs on a period floral stencil border before treatment, and the same wall after the missing pattern was traced, sampled and reapplied by hand.
Drag the gold handle right to reveal the after image.
Before: Floral stencil border beside a gilded mirror before reinstatement, with plaster losses visible. After: Floral stencil border beside a gilded mirror after hand-applied reinstatement.
Staircase figures
Restoration gilding on Liberty style staircase figures and associated stair ornament.
Mirror and urns
Regilding of an ornate mirror frame and decorative urns with real gold leaf.
Regilded ornate mirror frame in a private home 
Pair of Victorian urns regilded with gold leaf
Ceiling plaques
Gilding of neoclassical ceiling plaque reliefs to match surrounding decorative paintwork.
Approach
Each room was assessed on site. Marble effects, stencil layouts and gilding were sampled on boards or discreet test areas before full runs, so the client could approve colour and tooling under the home's own lighting.
Work was sequenced to limit disruption in a lived in property, with protection of floors, joinery and adjacent finishes throughout.
Residential clients
We take on gilding, faux finishes, stenciling and fine art restoration in private homes from Victorian mansions and listed townhouses to country cottages. Call with your postcode for a free estimate or email photographs of the item or room.
Outcome
- Columns, panels and staircase ornament read as one coordinated decorative scheme again.
- Real leaf and hand applied faux finishes suited a private home where durability and appearance both matter.
- Residential work completed to the same standards as our civic and ecclesiastic portfolio.
Further reading
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