A Guide To Plaster In Old Homes

A GUIDE TO PLASTER IN OLD HOMES

Understanding and maintaining the plaster in an old home is an essential aspect of owning a period property. Discovering what type of plaster you have, and how to go about repairing it will help when it comes to renovations. Victorian coving specialists in London can guide you!

There are plenty of reasons why you might be looking at renovations in 2020, whether you just want to breathe a new lease of life in to your home, or are thinking of selling, and improve your valuations and impress potential buyers.

Original plaster adds unbeatable charm and quality to a period home, the traditional lime and clay formulas have a soft appearance, full of character. It’s important for the breathability of the plaster to allow the old brick and stone walls to have the moisture within them evaporate. This helps avoid damp and condensation.

To help identify what kind of plaster you have:

•   Lime plaster is traditional in houses that pre-date 1919, but has been used up until the 1950s, until plasterboard and gypsum took over.

•   A pinkish colour would indicate a plaster bound with gypsum.

•   Off-white plaster is typical of a lime plaster.

•   A more earthy colour suggests an earth binder.

Look closely at the walls, as the plaster may have, or be hiding intriguing evidence of the house’s history. There could be decorative details and scheme, and wall paintings were typical of pre-Georgian houses.

If you’re finding that the plaster, especially in the ceiling, is cracked, loose, crumbling and flaking, or has completely missing areas, then don’t despair. Repair is often available rather than having to completely replace it.

If you’re in need of specialists to come advise you, or repair plaster coving and ceiling decoration, get in touch today to speak with one of our knowledgable specialists.

Lath and Lime Plasterwork

Unless you have a listed building or a period property, chances are that you’ve never heard of lime plaster. This is because other materials and ways of working came to the fore over time and saw the use of lime almost completely disappear in the world of plastering.

Young apprentices are often no longer taught these kinds of traditional skills, but given that we still have plenty of listed buildings in this country, and our period properties are only going to get older, it’s important that there are those in the trade who do know how to work with lime plaster.

Walls in some buildings need to be able to breathe, which is why lime may be a better option than modern gypsum plasters, which can result in condensation and mould growth if not used in the right places. Lime plaster differs from modern materials in that it sets quite slowly by absorbing CO2 from the air, but also in that it shrinks as it dries.

Traditionally, lime plaster would have been applied in three coats in order to ensure a flat finish. Before any work can be carried out on a building where the use of lime plaster is appropriate, it would be worth working out how many coats had originally been applied.

When applying three coats of lime plaster, the first layer is known as the scratch coat, because the surface is etched with lines to give the second coat more purchase. Interestingly, sand or hair is often added to the mix to provide tensile strength, helping to bridge over possible gaps if the plaster moves away from the substrate or if the building shifts.

It’s not always essential to use hair when plastering onto stone or brick but if you’re plastering on timber, you will need to use it as plaster doesn’t stick well to wood once it dries.

Another key point to bear in mind when working with lime plaster is that you need to keep the substrate wet before the plaster is applied. If you know you’re going to be working with a very dry or porous wall, you may need to make sure it’s sprayed down a few times before work can begin to ensure there is enough moisture in the wall for the plaster to adhere.

There are many benefits to working with lime, since it allows the building to breath and because it’s flexible and porous. That means water can escape from the walls of the building itself and if any fine cracks do appear in the walls, they’ll self-heal - unlike cement, which will crack and let water in.

If you’d like to find out more about lime plaster and renovating period properties in London, get in touch with us here at Ovolo today.

For more information on the history of lime plaster, check out the Building Conservation website now.

Top Design Trends For 2020

If you’re planning a home renovation project next year, you might be looking for some inspiration that will bring your interiors into the next decade.

House Beautiful recently spoke to a number of its New Wave designers to find out what they believe some of the top design trends will be as we move into the 2020s.

Textured art was one interior feature picked out by Tina Ramchandani, who runs a Manhattan-based interior design firm. She explained what makes this such a good pick: “I love art with dimension because it adds an extra layer to the home and it’s a wonderful discussion point.”

You could add texture to your home with decorative plasterwork, which will work especially well if you have a period home. Contact coving specialists in London to make sure you get a great finish.

Meanwhile, Caroline Rafferty told the news provider that homeowners shouldn’t be afraid of adding dramatic touches to their interiors. She said that she’s seeing more of her clients “take bolder strides and break the rules more”.

This can be in terms of brighter or bolder colour choices, or opting for unusual patterns or textures on walls, she explained.

While you might think that ornate plasterwork and coving only works in period properties, you’d be wrong. A growing number of Brits want these kinds of decorative touches in their new-build homes, with 77 per cent of those recently surveyed stating that they’d like to see period features in new properties because they love the look of older homes so much.

Plaster Mouldings

Period Features Being Added To Newbuilds

Period features are one of the most common desires from homebuyers, so much so that housing developers are adding faux fixtures and fittings to their newbuild properties.

Recent findings from national estate agent Jackson-Stopps revealed 77 per cent of Brits love the look of old buildings so much that they want period-style features to be included in their modern home.

The survey showed 80 per cent of those aged between 18 and 34 want old-fashioned charm to their property, no matter how recently it has been built, revealed Property Reporter.

Chairman at Jackson-Stopps Nick Leeming noted these statistics show “there is a clear demand” for period features.

He added: “A desire to live in historic houses that offer tall ceilings, ornately crafted features and elegantly proportioned rooms with plenty of natural light has always been in the British homebuyers’ DNA.”

Among the most popular features are bay windows, with 38 per cent of participants saying they would like this in their home. This was followed by extravagant detailing, such as open fireplaces and sweeping staircases, which 37 per cent of Brits desired.

Nearly a third (29 per cent) wanted a country kitchen, while 28 per cent would have liked high ceilings.

Indeed, according to interior designer Madeleine Latti, ceilings are one of the most important parts of a home and it is essential to consider their style carefully.

The specialist told Gulf News homebuyers should always check details such as ceilings when viewing a property as this will help plan the design of the rest of the room.

You might also want to consider cornice restoration in London if you really want to enhance your property’s period charm, helping its original features look more authentic than those replicated on newbuilds.

Made in Croydon - Makers market in Boxpark

I was recently walking through East Croydon and saw advertising for a makers market in Boxpark. After some research, I was thrilled to see that their primary aim is connect artists, makers and designers who live in, work in, or create works inspired by Croydon, to opportunities including markets, socials, workshops, and exhibition & studio spaces. As a new, local Croydon plaster business I can’t explain how important it is to have a hub where other like-minded craftspeople can engage and interact to share ideas and network. After an exchange of emails I was excited to see I’d be the first decorative plaster company to get involved, I’m so excited to share the beautiful industry I’m lucky to be a part of. Boxpark is a fantastic venue and I can’t wait to go and show my support there. If you live locally, please do try do see whats on offer - you’ll see me involved there in the near future.

Want To Design A Happier Home? Here’s How

We all know that how our homes look has an impact on our mood, but Harper’s Bazaar recently highlighted some design tips that are scientifically proven to make you feel happier.

If you’re looking for a way to revamp your interior and boost your mood at the same time, they’re certainly worth considering.

At the top of the list is introducing round shapes. The publication stated: “Round shapes in particular induce positive emotions such as approachability and friendliness, while spherical objects communicate balance, which can help us feel at ease with our surroundings.”

If you live in a period property, you could find that you’re able to carry this theme through on your ceiling by restoring the ceiling roses that are typical in many period homes. If they’re not in great condition, get some help with your plaster ceiling decoration from a specialist.

When it comes to colours that make you happy, blue is at the top of the list. It’s described as “one of the most calming and serene colours” by the publication, and it’s been scientifically proven to lower your blood pressure.

Natural light is another essential in any home, and one that’s been proven time and again to help improve our moods. If you’re not lucky enough to have large windows that let the light flood in, try simple tips like introducing reflective surfaces to rooms to help bounce the light around.

The Daily Mail recently shared some predictions of future interior design trends from a range of experts. Among the things that they’re expecting to see is a shift away from minimalist interiors, with homeowners introducing more colour and patterns to their spaces.

Consider Your Ceiling When Designing Your Home

Thinking about your ceilings is one of the pieces of advice from interior designer Madeleine Latti. She works for Chattels & More and recently spoke to Gulf News about how to get the right design in your home.

She said that before you move into anywhere new, you should check the quality of the property’s finish, because this will help to inform the design direction you take.

One thing that you shouldn’t overlook is your ceiling, Ms Latti stated. When you’re planning the design of your home, think carefully about this in the context of the space you have available. For example, architectural details like high ceilings or large windows can help you decide where to position your furniture.

Putting a sofa facing a large window can help you make the most of the views from your home, for example.

Depending on the property, you may also want to consider installing a false ceiling, Ms Latti suggested. However, she noted that you need to be careful not to lower the ceiling too much or you risk ending up with “your space feeling constricted and you feeling claustrophobic”.

Instead, she recommends fitting a false ceiling that “runs along the outer borders of the ceiling and can be used to install a frame of diffused lighting”.

Of course, if you have beautiful period features on your ceiling, you may prefer to spend money with coving specialists in London to have them restored to their full glory.

If you’re planning to renovate your home in the coming months, you may want to take some advice from Click Liverpool when it comes to the financial side of this kind of project. The news provider noted that it’s vital to create a proper budget before you start, including allowing for things going wrong.

A Quick Guide To Period Features

Architectural detailing will always be a popular feature in any home, contemporary or otherwise, because they not only look stylish and beautiful, but they can be put to practical use as well.

You might well have noticed a few of these period features in the past and thought they would look lovely in your own home - or perhaps you’re lucky enough to have them in your house already.

Interestingly, these features served as a way of symbolising social status in the past, with the most expensive houses bearing a huge range of different mouldings and trims. Less opulent properties, meanwhile, were not decorated in such an opulent fashion, although the guest rooms were always where the majority of features could be found.

Take a look around your house to see if you can spot any of the period features we’ve mentioned below. Chances are you have some of them already - and you can always add more if you feel your home is crying out for a bit of love and attention where details of interest are concerned.

Architrave

This is the wooden trim that’s used to frame windows, doors and inbuilt cupboards, used to help hide parts of the house where the plaster is likely to crack because of frequent movement.

Corbel

Stand in your hallway and look up. Do you see an arch just above the stairs? If you do, you have a corbel in your house! These were very popular in homes of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, typically made from plaster and bearing a beautiful leaf design.

Ceiling rose

These are often found in living rooms, a stunning circle of plaster moulding that are particularly useful when it comes to hiding the point where your light fitting is attached to the ceiling.

Cornice

This is the plaster trim that helps make the transition between your walls and your ceilings more seamless and attractive. A lot of homes don’t even have this, so don’t panic if you don’t - you’re certainly not alone. But if you want to introduce it, do some research into the different styles because you can go as plain or as elaborate as you like.

Dado rails

These first came to the fore during Georgian times, a line of architrave fitted to the walls to help protect them against chairs being banged up against them. These can really help you add interest to a room, since they act to divide the wall up and you can use wallpaper and paint to great effect once the architrave has been added.

If you need help with cornice restoration in London or would like to talk to someone about how to go about doing your house up this year, get in touch with the Ovolo team today.