Plaster Cornice and Ceiling Roses for Kent Period Homes

Short answer. Plaster cornice and ceiling roses in Kent's Georgian, Regency and Victorian homes can usually be repaired, cleaned back or matched to the original pattern. Zavoré fits, matches and restores cornice, coving and ceiling roses, copying the shape from a surviving section. In a listed home, ask the council's conservation officer first, as listed building consent can be needed for internal work.

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

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

Period plasterwork in Kent

Kent's coast grew some of England's early seaside resorts, and towns such as Margate and Ramsgate kept many Georgian, Regency and Victorian houses. Royal Tunbridge Wells developed as a spa town and is known for its Georgian and Regency buildings. Cathedral city Canterbury and the county's market towns add older houses of every period. Inside many of these homes, the original plaster mouldings survive in some form.

Cornice, coving and roses explained

• Cornice. The moulded band where the wall meets the ceiling, often with several steps and patterns.
• Coving. A simpler, curved moulding doing the same job.
• Ceiling rose. A round decorative moulding at the centre of the ceiling.

Some cornice was run in place, by dragging a shaped metal profile along wet plaster. Other pieces were cast in fibrous plaster, which is plaster strengthened with hessian or scrim, then fixed up. Our page on plaster cornice and coving covers the range we fit.

Repair, match or replace

The aim is always to keep as much original work as possible. A typical approach looks like this.

• Survey the room and note which lengths are sound, cracked or missing.
• Take a profile from a sound section so any new piece matches the existing shape.
• Repair cracks and refix loose sections where they can be saved.
• Make and fit new lengths only where the original is missing or beyond repair.

Ceiling roses follow the same logic. A cracked rose can often be repaired in place. A missing one can be replaced with a pattern suited to the age of the house. Our article on plaster ceiling roses shows common styles.

Clogged detail

Years of repainting fill the fine lines of a cornice until the pattern disappears. Careful cleaning by hand can bring the detail back. It is slow work, but original run or cast detail can be crisp and fine once it is uncovered. Once clean, a breathable finish such as lime paint helps old plaster stay healthy.

Consent comes first

Original mouldings are often part of what makes a listed building special. Listed building consent can be needed for internal work, including repairs and replacements. Speak to the conservation officer at your council before booking.

If you are planning new wall finishes beneath restored cornice, order a sample board in your colour, call 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk. See more on our Kent page.

Questions we get asked

What is fibrous plaster?

Fibrous plaster is plaster cast in a mould and strengthened with hessian or scrim. It has long been used for cornice lengths and ceiling roses.

Can a ceiling rose be saved if the ceiling is cracked?

Often it can. It may be repaired in place, or carefully taken down and refixed once the ceiling is made sound.

What paint should go on old plaster cornice?

On old lime plaster, a breathable paint such as lime paint is a good choice, as it lets moisture escape.