St Bernard's Crescent, Edinburgh – Period Property Decoration & Restoration

High-End Interior & Exterior Decoration of a Georgian Home in Edinburgh

Thistle Decorators was appointed by Orocco to undertake the painting and decorating works as part of the extensive refurbishment of a period property at St Bernard’s Crescent, Edinburgh.

What began as a comprehensive decorating package developed into a much broader programme of specialist decoration and restoration, encompassing the property’s interiors, period features and external joinery.

Project Overview

Location: St Bernard’s Crescent, Edinburgh
Main Contractor: Orocco
Project: Interior and exterior decoration and restoration
Decorating Contractor: Thistle Decorators
Paints: Farrow & Ball, Edward Bulmer and Little Greene
Specialist Works: Luxury wallpapering, spray finishing, plaster repairs and period joinery restoration

The Works

Preparation was a key part of the project, with walls, ceilings, cornices and extensive woodwork carefully prepared before decoration began.

The initial scope included the decoration of walls, ceilings, decorative cornices, skirtings, facings, doors, windows and traditional shutters, along with specialist work to the staircase and other architectural features.

As the refurbishment progressed, the scope expanded to include additional restoration and specialist finishing works, allowing Thistle Decorators to contribute to more of the property’s original features.

Period Features & Staircase Restoration

The hall and staircase were among the property’s most prominent features and required particularly careful preparation and finishing.

The cast-iron staircase spindles were spray-finished to achieve a smooth, consistent appearance, while the staircase treads and risers were prepared and decorated. The traditional timber handrail was restored and varnished, retaining the warmth and character of the natural timber.

The surrounding walls, ceilings and cornices were also prepared in detail before the decorative finishes were applied, helping the different elements of the staircase work together as part of the wider interior scheme.

Luxury Wallpaper Installation

Wallpaper was an important part of the interior design, particularly within the hallway where the detailed architecture called for precise installation.

We installed intricate, luxury wallcoverings within the hallway, with careful attention given to setting out, cutting and pattern matching around the property’s architectural details.

As the scope developed, further specialist wallpapering was carried out within the bathrooms.

Working with premium wallcoverings in a period property requires careful preparation and accurate installation, particularly where walls, corners and architectural features are not completely uniform.

Premium Paint Finishes

The interior colour scheme incorporated premium paints from Farrow & Ball, Edward Bulmer and Little Greene, selected to complement the traditional architecture and wider interior design.

Different finishes were applied according to the specification and the individual surfaces being decorated. Particular care was taken around walls, ceilings, cornices and detailed joinery to achieve clean lines and a consistent finish throughout the property.

Plaster Repairs & Preparation

The condition of the existing surfaces meant that some areas required plaster repairs before they could be decorated.

These repairs were completed as part of the preparation process rather than simply covering existing imperfections with paint. This provided a sounder foundation for the final decorative finishes and was particularly important in principal rooms and areas featuring detailed cornices, premium paints and luxury wallpapers.

Cupola Decoration

The property’s cupola was another significant feature within the project.

Our team carried out preparation and decoration to the cupola internally and externally, bringing the feature into the wider refurbishment while retaining its architectural character.

The external and internal areas required careful access and detailed preparation, with the work carried out methodically around the existing period features.

Front Door Restoration

As the project developed, Thistle Decorators was also entrusted with additional restoration work to the property’s front entrance door.

The existing joinery required considerably more than straightforward redecoration, so the surface was carefully prepared and restored before the finishing system was applied.

This approach helped retain the character of the original entrance while giving the door the finish and protection required as part of the wider refurbishment.

Exterior Decoration & Scaffold Access

Our works extended to the exterior of the property, where scaffolding provided access to high-level areas.

External works included the preparation and decoration of the property’s exterior windows, soffits, gutters, downpipes and associated rainwater goods.

The internal surfaces of the rainwater goods were also treated with bituminous protective coating, providing additional protection in areas particularly susceptible to moisture.

Together with the exterior decoration of the cupola and windows, this meant our involvement extended from the detailed interior finishes right through to the property’s external joinery and architectural elements.

The Result

St Bernard’s Crescent became a much more extensive decorating and restoration project than originally anticipated, allowing our team to demonstrate the breadth of specialist skills we can bring to a high-end refurbishment.

From extensive preparation of walls, ceilings and decorative cornices to luxury wallpaper installation, spray finishing, plaster repairs, staircase restoration, varnishing, exterior decoration and restoration of period joinery, each element was approached with the same attention to detail.

Working alongside Orocco, Thistle Decorators helped deliver a finish that respected the character and architectural detailing of this impressive Edinburgh property while meeting the high standards expected of a contemporary luxury refurbishment.

Period Property Decorating in Edinburgh

Thistle Decorators specialises in high-quality painting, decorating and restoration for period properties, luxury residential refurbishments and architecturally detailed homes throughout Edinburgh and across Scotland.

Our services include traditional and contemporary painting, luxury wallpaper installation, spray finishing, plaster repairs, period joinery restoration, staircase finishing, exterior decoration and specialist access works.

Planning the refurbishment or restoration of a period property? Contact Thistle Decorators to discuss your project.