SECRET INGREDIENT
PLASTERWORK IS MORE THAN JUST A BEAUTIFUL DETAIL – IT ALSO OFFERS A HOST OF PRACTICAL DECORATING SOLUTIONS
FEATURE Oonagh Turner
You might not have given much thought to the decorative plaster in your home. So often, it goes unnoticed but these subtle wall embellishments are the key to bringing interest and texture to your space. It’s the ultimate secret ingredient, ‘like the tip on a French manicure,’ says interior designer Lucinda Martin. It ’s relatively straightforward to add and inexpensive, too, but what else might you need to know? We speak to the specialists to find out.
Cornicing or coving is the plasterwork that covers where two walls join. A clever tactic that conceals any terrible paint job, it helps your home look and feel more refined. Cornicing is the more detailed and traditional form and coving is pared back and contemporar y, often characterised by a smooth curve. ‘The design and size ref lect the period of the buildings they were installed in and there are so many styles to pick from,’ says Lucinda. Cornice periods are generally divided up into Classical, Georgian, Regency, Victorian, Edwardian, art deco and contemporar y. In Victorian and Edwardian houses, cornices are f loral and decorative, whereas art deco has a more geometric look. ‘I always suggest that cornicing and skirting should be in harmony; for example, a four-inch bullnose skirting would be at odds with an elaborate Georgian cornice,’ says Lucinda. Match your cornice to your panel moulding and ceiling roses, too, helping to create harmony in the home.
One rule of thumb is that the higher the ceiling, the deeper the cornice you can accommodate. The tendency with cornices is to go for a white paint. But with bright white comes myriad problems. For one, they can easily fade and discolour, meaning regular top-ups. We’re seeing a lot of monochromatic interiors at the moment, so if you’re looking to experiment, paint your coving the same colour as your walls and ceiling for a cosy, cocooning space. ‘Traditional plaster work in a bright colour can create a more contemporary effect, too,’ adds Lucinda.
Ceiling roses are a form of plaster that can create an optical illusion and highlight the height of the room. ‘They provide a focal point in an interior and can add character to what might otherwise be a dull light fitting,’ says Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove. W hen choosing the size of your ceil
