Polished Plaster Hallways and Stairs in Kingston and Richmond

Short answer. Polished plaster is well suited to hallways and stairwells because it is hard wearing, wipes clean and covers tall walls without joins. In Kingston and Richmond, where many homes have long halls and stairs rising two or three floors, one finish running from the front door to the top landing ties the house together.

If you want it installed, our own applicators handle Venetian plaster installation from survey to final coat, including Venetian plastering in Kingston upon Thames.

Why the hall deserves attention

The hall is the first room anyone sees, and it is also the one that takes the most knocks from bags, prams, bikes and shoes. Victorian and Edwardian houses in the area often have a narrow hall with a straight staircase. Newer homes may have an open stairwell with one very tall wall. Both are hard to keep looking good with paint alone.

Why polished plaster suits it

Polished plaster, also called Grassello, is a lime putty plaster laid on in thin layers and burnished hard with a steel trowel. Once waxed, it is generally tougher than emulsion paint, and everyday marks can usually be wiped away. Deeper scuffs can often be patched in the same material.

Because it is lime based, polished plaster suits the older walls of a Victorian or Edwardian house as well as the plasterboard of a newer home, as long as the base is prepared properly first.

It also has depth. The layers build up a gentle, marble like movement that turns a plain passage into something people notice as they walk in.

Working on stairs and tall walls

Staircases need careful planning. The applicators need safe access to the high walls, usually with a platform or tower made for use on stairs. Each wall is finished in one session where possible, because stopping halfway can leave a visible join.

Things to decide before we arrive.

• Where the finish stops. At a dado rail, at the ceiling, or all the way round the landing.
• Handrails and spindles. These are masked and protected, or taken off if they are loose.
• Radiators. Taking the hall radiator off the wall gives a cleaner finish behind it.
• Doors and skirting. These are taped and covered, so plan any joinery painting for afterwards.

Our guide to Venetian plaster in hallways and stairs has more ideas on layout.

Choosing a colour for a hall

Deep colours make a hall feel enclosed and dramatic. Pale stone and warm white tones make a narrow space feel wider. Because the hall connects to every other room, think about how the colour meets the walls you see through each doorway. A sample board held in the hall for a few days answers this better than any swatch.

Order a sample board in your colour, call 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk. Read more on our London page, which covers the south west of the city.

Questions we get asked

Will polished plaster crack on a stair wall?

Cracks usually come from movement or weakness in the wall underneath. We check the base first, and sound, dry walls give the finish the steadiest start.

How do I clean a polished plaster hallway?

Use a soft damp cloth with a little mild soap. Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners, which can dull the wax.

Can the finish carry on up to the top floor?

Yes. It can run from the ground floor to the top landing as one continuous finish, with each wall planned so there are no stop lines.