Lime Plaster and Cornice Restoration for London Period Homes

Short answer. Older London houses built with solid brick walls tend to suit breathable lime finishes such as lime plaster, Marmorino and limewash, because these let moisture pass out of the wall instead of trapping it. Original cornice and ceiling roses can usually be matched or restored rather than replaced. If the house is listed, ask your borough's conservation officer before booking, as listed building consent can be needed for internal work.

For every decorative finish we install in London, from Venetian plaster to limewash, gilding and murals, see our decorative finishes specialist in London page.

Would you rather have it done for you? Our own applicators provide cornice and coving installation across the UK, including Venetian plastering in London.

What makes a London period home different

Much of inner London was built as terraced housing in the Georgian and Victorian eras, and many streets sit inside conservation areas. Most of these homes have solid brick walls with no cavity. Inside, they were finished with lime plaster, either straight onto the brick or onto laths. Laths are thin strips of wood nailed across joists and studs for the plaster to grip.

These walls were built to take on a little damp and then dry out again. That is why the finish you put on them matters as much as the colour.

Why breathable lime finishes suit solid walls

Lime hardens slowly by taking in carbon dioxide from the air. Once hard, it stays open enough for water vapour to pass through. A modern skim or a plastic based paint can seal the surface, so damp gets stuck behind it and the wall starts to blister, flake or stain.

Good lime choices for a London period interior include the following.

• Marmorino, an Italian lime plaster mixed with fine marble dust, which can be left matt or pressed to a soft polish.
• Limewash, a thin mix of lime and water that dries to a chalky, gently varied colour.
• Clay plaster, a natural earth finish that also lets the wall breathe.

Each one is tinted to your chosen colour, so you can follow a historic palette or go bolder in a reception room.

Cornice, coving and ceiling roses

Cornice is the moulded band where the wall meets the ceiling. Coving is a simpler curved version. Many London houses still have original plaster cornice and ceiling roses, often clogged with layers of old paint or damaged by past leaks and rewiring.

We fit, match and restore these details. A missing length can be matched by taking a profile from a sound section, so the new piece follows the same shape as the old. Thick paint can be cleaned back so the fine detail shows again. Our guide to Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian coving explains how to tell the styles apart.

Listed buildings and conservation areas

If your home is listed, listed building consent can be needed for internal work, including changes to original plaster and mouldings. Speak to the conservation officer at your borough council before you book anything. A conservation area is a separate matter, so ask the council about any rules that apply to your street as well.

Bring the council's answer and a few photos of each room to your first conversation with us. It makes planning the work much simpler.

To see a lime finish in your own colour, order a sample board, call 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk. You can read more about our work in the capital on our London page.

Questions we get asked

Can lime plaster go over modern plaster?

Lime finishes such as Marmorino can be applied over a sound modern plaster base with the right primer. The breathing benefit is reduced if the wall underneath is sealed, so on solid period walls it is usually better to keep lime throughout.

Can you copy a cornice that is only partly there?

Yes, as long as enough of the original survives to take an accurate profile. The new length is made to that shape and joined to the old section.

Do I need consent to plaster inside a listed house in London?

Listed building consent can be needed for internal work. Ask your borough's conservation officer before booking.