Before & After ~ Restored Paint-Graining at Victoria Mansion in Portland, Maine.
Let’s recognize the labor and skill of the artisans and craftsmen who built our houses and those equally talented folks who restore them. Trompe l’oeil (fool the eye) paint effects were used in many 19th-century interiors. These decorative paint treatments were widely used to mimic more expensive materials. Decorative paint restorer Tony Castro restored areas of the paint-grained wainscot that had lost bits of the paint to flaking or scrapes, exposing the white plaster beneath.
This work was done after conservators had cleaned and stabilized the historic paint and sealed it with a reversible varnish. The in-painting of the graining is only in the missing areas and can be removed in the future without damage to the original work.
Victoria Mansion is a showcase of 19th-century decorative painting and well worth a visit. Especially when decorated for the holidays – starting the day after Thanksgiving! https://victoriamansion.org/
In many houses, historic faux finishes have been damaged over time or painted over. They can be restored or recreated by a decorative painter or a homeowner willing to learn the techniques required.
Decorative paint finishes are discussed in Chapter 18 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are only available in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors.
© Scott T. Hanson 2024.
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