Repairing Peeling Paint and Failing Plaster in Brooklyn Heights Townhouse 11201

Our first order of business was to address the failing plaster. We began by scrupulously scraping away the loose, flaking paint—a meticulous process. Next, we applied a bonding primer, an essential step that acts as the foundation for what's to come, promising adhesion and durability for the new paint. It's not just about covering up; it's about setting the stage for a lasting transformation.

before we started

after the scraping stage

After the bonding primer set the stage, we turned our attention to the plaster itself. Plastering is an art as much as it is a skill—smoothing over the past, filling in the gaps of time, and restoring the smooth canvas that is a ceiling in a brownstone such as this. Layer by layer, we built up the surface, each stroke erasing years of wear and bringing us closer to a restoration deserving of this home's heritage.

Finally, it was time to reintroduce paint to the ceilings.

Finished Ceiling Restoration

Making progress

Manhattan Townhouse Plaster Restoration 

Coffered ceilings are an elegant architectural feature which have stood the test of time. They may have originally been designed as a more lightweight option to stone, while evoking a measure of formality. Some speculate they also hide ceiling imperfections while adding perceived height and drama overhead. They are indeed beautiful. When water damaged the stunning ceiling in this Manhattan townhouse, we came in to remove the old plaster, clean, scrape and prep for a new surface.

Not only did we patch and paint the ceiling, but also we recreated some of the molding in our shop. It’s intricate work crafting the wood for the coffered effect, even before transporting, installing, priming and painting it. There’s a great deal of satisfaction at the end of the project like this, and the outcome was an historic plaster ceiling restored to its former glory.

After partial ceiling collapsed.