Step into a well-maintained and cared-for historic home, and your eyes are drawn upward; the crown molding framing the ceiling, the wainscoting lining the halls, or the window casings built generations ago. These accents contribute significantly to a home’s character. At Catchlight Painting, we know a lasting finish starts with careful preparation, which includes restoring historic millwork with a keen eye and a willingness to not skimp on detail.
Crown Molding
Originally conceived as a clever way to disguise imperfect wall-ceiling junctions, crown molding evolved into a form of ornamentation, and from there, each designer took it as a challenge to one-up the game with intricacies in the design work. Victorian crown molding, particularly ornate, stands as an artistically inspired detail worth highlighting across Greater Boston’s historic residences. Many of the Victorians we’ve restored across Newton required not just repainting, but also precise and tactile carpentry work. Even with the best of intentions, without skilled hands, restoration efforts can erase history.
Plaster and Wood
Before any paintbrush touches the trim, we stabilize compromised plaster using specialized plaster restoration techniques, such as plaster buttons. In many Newton homes built before the 1950s, horsehair plaster was a common material; however, it can sag, so we won’t risk undermining the trim that sits on top of it.
Then comes the woodwork itself; our crews roll up their sleeves to attend to:
Rot and Damage
If a section of molding is soft, crumbling, or missing entirely, we don’t just slap on filler and call it a day. We repair it by splicing in new wood or milling an exact match, so the repair disappears into the original design.
Corners That Behave
In older homes, quite often, walls aren’t always perfectly square. That’s why we use coping techniques for inside corners instead of simple miter cuts. Coping provides a cleaner, tighter fit that accommodates the house’s movement over time.
Style That Fits the Space
The size and shape of the molding should feel right for the room it’s in. A grand parlor can carry an ornate, oversized crown, while a smaller study might call for something more understated. It won’t look or feel right if restoration work ignores the home’s original proportions.
Crown Molding Repair – Seamless Finish, Not Just Surface-Level
Once the structure is sound, we sand, prime, and paint so that every profile, curve, and shadow looks crisp. The goal is to ensure the molding is durable and maintains its beauty for years to come.
Preserving the Detail That Defines Your Home
In historic homes, a beautiful paint job on crown molding starts long before the first coat is applied. At Catchlight, our historic home restoration contractors treat every crown molding project with the same care as the craftsmen who installed it decades or sometimes centuries ago.
If your Newton home’s crown molding needs expert repair and painting, let’s restore it to its full glory.
Contact us today.
