London's converted period houses and mansion blocks contain some of the city's most beautiful flats — and some of its most complicated decorating jobs. Whether you are on the raised-ground floor of a converted Islington townhouse, the first floor of a Marylebone mansion block, or the lower-ground flat of a stucco-fronted Paddington conversion, the combination of original fabric and later alterations creates a set of practical questions that a standard modern flat simply does not raise. This guide sets out what to expect and how to approach the work sensibly.

Mixed Joinery: Blending Original and Later Work

Conversion work — usually carried out between the 1960s and 1990s — often introduced new internal doors, MDF architraves and modern skirtings alongside whatever original Victorian or Edwardian joinery survived. The result in many flats is a visible mismatch: a handsome panelled original door next to a flat flush one, or period cornicing stopping abruptly where a partition was added. Good decoration can reduce that contrast significantly. Using a consistent paint colour and finish across all woodwork — old and new — ties the space together visually and draws attention to the period features rather than the interruptions. We often recommend a mid-sheen water-borne alkyd on all timber: it performs well on both solid original wood and MDF, and avoids the yellowing that old oil-based gloss can develop in north-facing rooms.

Where original cornicing or ceiling roses remain, we treat them with the same care as in a full terrace: checking for distemper, gently cutting back paint build-up, and using a fine-finish emulsion rather than a thick contract product that obscures detail.

Communal Hallways and Stairwells: Permission First

This is the point where period conversion work diverges most sharply from a standard flat repaint. If your building has communal areas — entrance hall, stairwell, landings — those spaces belong to the freeholder or are managed by a managing agent on behalf of the leaseholders. You cannot simply paint them without permission, even if the existing decoration is in poor condition.

Before any work in communal areas we always recommend:

Contacting the managing agent or freeholder in writing to confirm you have permission, the agreed colour scheme, and the scope of work.
Checking your lease for any restrictions on decoration of communal areas — some leases require all work to be carried out by contractors approved by the freeholder.
Coordinating with neighbours where scaffolding or access equipment is needed in a shared stairwell — this is particularly important in taller mansion blocks where a stair repaint may require temporary restricted access.

Once permission is in place, we sequence communal stairwell work carefully: top floor down, working in sections so the staircase is never fully closed. We carry insurance that covers work in communal areas and are accustomed to working alongside managing agents and their requirements.

Working in an Occupied Flat

Most of our period conversion clients are living in the property during the work. Flats are typically smaller than full terraces, which means less space to move furniture out of the way and more care needed to avoid disrupting daily life. We plan room-by-room where possible, completing and clearing each space before moving to the next, and we use low-odour water-borne finishes wherever the specification allows. This matters particularly in flats where ventilation is limited — opening every window in a period conversion is not always practical when neighbours share the stairwell.

We also take extra care with dust management in flats: sanding original joinery in a smaller space generates fine dust that travels further than you expect. We seal doorways and use dust sheets throughout, and we vacuum before any finish coats go down.

Damp on Lower-Ground Floors

Lower-ground and basement flats in converted period houses are particularly prone to rising and penetrating damp. This is not a painting problem — it is a building problem — but it frequently presents as a decorating problem: bubbling paint, tide marks, efflorescence on walls, or persistent patches that will not hold a finish. We will not simply paint over active damp. Where we identify it during preparation, we flag it clearly and recommend that the underlying cause is addressed before decoration proceeds. Painting over untreated damp delays the problem by perhaps a season; it does not solve it, and it puts good money after bad.

Where damp has been treated and the wall is stable but slightly variable, a breathable mineral paint or a limewash can perform better than a standard vinyl emulsion. We assess each lower-ground room on its own merits and recommend accordingly.

Practical Logistics in Central London

Parking and access are real considerations for any London flat. Marylebone, Islington, Fitzrovia — almost all of these areas have controlled parking zones that require a permit or paid bay. We factor this into our planning, and where necessary we arrange a dispensation with the relevant London borough. ULEZ applies across inner London and our vehicles comply. We are experienced working in buildings with no lift and narrow stairwells, and we carry our materials up in manageable loads rather than bringing everything in one go and blocking a communal hall. If your flat is in a Marylebone mansion block or period conversion, we know the access challenges well.

What a Period Flat Repaint Costs

A medium-sized reception room in a period flat — say, 4.5 by 5 metres with a ceiling height of 2.8 metres, original cornicing and two panelled doors — typically runs from around £550 to £820 for walls, ceiling and woodwork, depending on preparation requirements and finish spec. A bedroom runs from around £340 to £520. These are starting-point ranges; the condition of the existing decoration, the extent of original joinery, and any communal area work will affect the final figure. We provide a clear itemised quote after a free assessment — in person or via photos — so there are no surprises when the job is complete.

Ready to Start?

Period conversion flats reward careful, experienced decorators who understand older buildings and the particular constraints of London's managed blocks. We work across central and north London and are familiar with the requirements of managing agents, conservation areas and listed buildings. Request a free quote today and we will respond within one working day.

Painting a Period Conversion Flat in London (Islington, Marylebone & Beyond)