This cornice in a Craiglieth (Edinburgh) ground floor flat was a typical, often inevitable result of inserting a beam below it. We dealt with it as follows.
1. Very carefully, excavate a slim margin of remaining plaster from the bottom edge, at the back of the cornice and seal with PVA.
2. Insert the new plasterboard and fix to the new brick.
3. Plaster the wall, taking care that new plaster replaces the section of removed plaster behind the cornice, bedding it in for stability.
4. Remove a section of enrichment, soak overnight and remove as much of paint as possible to reveal the original shape.
5. Place in box and make mould.
6. Strip a section of the amorphous main cornice run , again to reveal its original shape. In this instance, the whole run was either stripped or sanded sharp to match the new work.
7. Trace revealed shape, file down zinc to profile and make ‘ running horse ‘
8. Remove any unsound sections of cornice, carefully but ruthlessly and seal.
9. Mix up a combination of plaster of Paris and lime putty.
10. Fix a baton and run cornice.
11. Having completed the main run, leaves are then manufactured and stuck on with lime and plaster of Paris. Again, in this case, the new stripped work was of such frequency that we replaced the whole length with a combination of new and stripped leaves.
Notes.
As the opening was created to house an open plan, modern kitchen, we decided not to employ staff beads. However, had the use been different, or the kitchen antique in appearance, staff beads would probably have blended the whole design in even more.
If you live in Edinburgh or elsewhere in central Scotland and have a period Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian cornice that requires restoration, please do not hesitate to contact Mel for advice and a quotation.
Before & After
