Belmont House Restoration
Groves-Raines Architects Ltd.
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
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I think I hate our newly restored edwardian floorboards..
Comments (38)Georgina, you are most welcome. Yes, I saw that you said in your initial query that you had lacquered them and did not want to sand it all back, hence my suggestion for the least messy option (otherwise yes would be better to sand it all back etc etc like others have said but let's be practical not perfectionists). Yes a tinted lacquer, yes I'm sure you can buy it, I've mixed it myself but best to just buy one but beware not to go too far the other way and take tiny steps. Paint a bit that's going to be under a desk etc and leave it for days to dry and look at it in different light etc. It's not ideal, but I suggest you use the same clear lacqer and add a tiny bit of tinted one because you are painting on a darker colour already so experiment with small amounts of each, keeping track of how much you have put in. (I mix my own wall colours so have just learnt to give it a go in small portions). You also mention wanting a black and white rug, these colours will clash with the wood (colour theory) and make it look even more orange so best to use a colour that tones more. It's hard to tell the exact colour from the photos but go with warmer deeper colours which will then tone down the orange rather than clash with it and make it look cheap and more orange. So if you want to go dark then a rich chocolate brown with some creams, khaki and even a bit of burnt orange for example will make the orange in the floorboards recede....See MoreBefore & After: Clifton Town House Kitchen Restoration
Comments (6)Nice! Did you put those internal columns in or were they original?...See MoreTips for restoring a solid wood floor
Comments (0)A solid wooden floor can be the centrepiece of a traditional home. Solid wood gives the home a certain warmth, character and charm; however, some wooden floors have been unfortunately neglected. One of the main benefits of a solid wood floor however, is that if it does get damaged by scrapes, scratches or dents, it can be restored to bring it back to looking as good as new – which isn’t possible with laminate wooden flooring. We have some tips for those of you who are ready to give their old floor new life. Like polishing a beloved pair of leather boots, expect to get your hands (and in this case, knees) dirty as you restore the former glory of your solid wood floor. Fine-tuning your space Clear your working area by removing all furniture and flooring obstructions – make sure to get help lifting all furniture rather than dragging it across the floor. From skirting to skirting nothing should get in your way, so take advantage of this rare chance to clear beneath skirting boards. Take care and avoid dragging anything, wait for help otherwise you risk scraping your beautiful wooden floor or damaging it even further. Around the walls and even fireplaces, you may have television cables and other tiny obstructions. It is vital you remove these and check for any nails or deep scratches in the wood. Sanding your solid wood floor Ideally, at this point, you will hire a floor polisher, if not get your knee pads at the ready. Hand polishing the floor will reveal the floor’s former glory by removing deep set scratches and dents. It will obviously take off any paint or varnish applied to your floor also, so this job is a large commitment with multiple stages before it is finished. For the best results, tackle a small section first then follow up with the hoover. Working section by section minimises how much of the scattered wood returns to the cracks in the floor. Do not use a broom, you will push the dust into the cracks, and the result will be an accidental mosaic effect. Flooring finish Once your floor has been sanded down it is prepped for finishing. When selecting a finish, you can choose between a variety of options, such as brushed, oiled or lacquered, each giving different results. Determine if your floor is a hand scraped or brushed finish before choosing a flooring finish. Regardless of which finish you choose, note the different times the varnish takes to dry. Give your floor at least 24 hours to dry before walking on it or replacing your furniture, and for at least the first week only walk on the floor in socks, as boots and shoes may affect how the varnish dries. Deep Clean Once your floor is restored to its beautiful original state, keep it that way with regular care and maintenance. Regularly deep clean the floor removing ground in stains or dirt. Any marks from oils, soaps and polishes should be tackled with purpose made floor cleaner. If you use homemade cleaners or harsh chemicals, you risk damaging the floor and its finish – undoing all your previous hard work. Floor cleaners are designed to dissolve what lies on the wood, not harm the wood itself. Tips for restoring a solid wood floor Dry & Hoover Remove excess water with a soft cloth, drying by hand as opposed to a mop which gives you a chance to check your cleaning up close. Take time to spot clean, after all, if it’s not clean it will be further exposed post buffing. To ensure your floor retains its shine, put felt covers on the bases of tables and chairs. Such a small expense could preserve the state of your solid wood floor and reduce the amount of times in your floor’s lifetime that you need to refinish it....See MoreVictorian front door/porch restoration
Comments (12)Thanks everyone for your input. I’ve not been able to figure out if I can respond directly to specific comments. Yes, I agree that the neighbour’s fan is out of proportion (too reduced in size) and so they do look odd next to each other. I highly doubt that the original tiles are anywhere to be found - we would need to reinstate these. Thank you for the kind offer to see what your neighbours have done. At this point I think it’s a case of getting a quote and taking it from there. Depending on the cost it may be hard to justify given it’s purely aesthetical - probably the reason that I can’t find any examples!...See MoreBarclay+Phillips Architects
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