After yesterdays short interview on KCLR96FM we’ve been getting a few questions about the secrets behind running cornice. We decided to give you a bit of a sneak peak when Brian runs some bespoke cornice as a part of a restoration job in a Victorian house in Dun Laoghaire.It is a long process requiring not only exceptional skill but great patience. If the cornice has enrichments they are cast separately and fitted in situ.

The principle is straightforward, a perfect shape of the cornice and casting plaster, the details are trade secrets! Speaking of that, back in the day the trade secrets were kept close and often the doors would be locked as the craftsmen ran out the cornice by hand on the ceilings.

The story starts with some mesh for support and a layer of plaster

We pour the hand mixed plaster by hand

Slowly building the base

A shape is starting to be pulled through

A good few more layers added on  and the design of the cornice has started to come through

Some closeups

Finished! All it needs now is a few days to dry out naturally and the to its off to its proper home.

If you have cornice that has seen better days, but you don’t want to loose the original designs, give us a shout on 059 9143930

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