Cornice Repair and Plaster Restoration in Glasgow, City Centre

During house renovations, decorative elements are often removed due to damage or natural deterioration over time. In some cases, the original decoration is so compromised that removal and restoration are necessary to ensure its longevity. In Glasgow City Centre, many Victorian-era properties feature bespoke plaster decorations that require meticulous attention. On this occasion, we were tasked with taking a sample of the existing plaster decoration and restoring it to its original splendour. Once the restoration was complete, we recreated the missing sections and installed them. Our restoration experts leverage their extensive experience to carefully remove the paint from a sample of the decoration, typically about a metre in length. Once the paint is removed, we meticulously sculpt the ornament to restore its original shapes. After resculpting the sample, we create a silicone mould to replicate the missing sections. All newly crafted decorations are made with durable plaster, reinforced with jute scrim and timber laths concealed within each piece. This ensures the decoration's long-term stability and prevents cracking. Some parts of the cornice in the living room remained intact after the plaster was removed from the walls and ceiling. The owners requested that we leave it in place as they intended to use a chemical paint stripper to remove the paint from the plaster decoration. At Decorative Plaster, we do not use chemical methods for paint removal, nor do we recommend this approach. Chemical strippers can damage the intricate shapes of the ornament and cause cracks to develop in the plaster decorations. The difference between a chemically stripped paint and the plaster decoration restored by our team can be seen in the picture.