Aethos advice
Before decorating a period home
Character should not become an excuse for rough work—or be erased by over-restoration. The aim is to understand what can remain, what needs repair and what paint belongs there.
Published 31 August 2026
Start with the surface
Old plaster may be lime, gypsum, patched or covered by many coating generations. Look for powdering, hollow areas, damp staining and movement before choosing paint. Cornices and mouldings need equally close inspection so detail is not buried beneath unnecessary build-up.
Do not strip automatically
Sound historic paint layers can often remain. Complete removal may damage timber or plaster and introduce avoidable cost. Unstable, incompatible or excessively thick coatings should be addressed selectively and with the substrate protected.
Modern paint still has a place
Period houses contain many surfaces where quality modern systems perform very well, including previously painted woodwork and properly prepared internal walls. Breathable finishes are valuable where the construction and moisture behaviour call for them—not simply because the property is old.
Test colour in the room
Large sample boards reveal undertone and sheen across changing east-coast light. Review them against flooring, stone, timber and adjoining rooms before committing to the final scheme.