Fine Art Mouldings was proud to be involved in the creation of an exceptional bespoke decorative plaster ceiling at the historic Penkridge Hall, a Grade II* listed country house in Staffordshire renowned for its architectural significance and rich heritage.

Working alongside the design team from the earliest stages of the project, our involvement extended far beyond manufacture and installation. We played an integral role in the design development and coordination of the ceiling, helping to overcome several unique challenges while ensuring the finished result remained sympathetic to the character of this remarkable historic property.

One of the most significant challenges within the room was a striking floor-to-ceiling window that interrupted the traditional ceiling layout.

The design intent was clear: maximise the natural light entering the room whilst creating a decorative plaster ceiling that felt balanced, elegant and entirely in keeping with the architecture of Penkridge Hall.

Working closely with the project team, we developed a bespoke ceiling arrangement incorporating a specially designed panel shape around the window opening. This solution allowed daylight to continue flooding the interior whilst preserving the symmetry and visual impact of the ceiling design.

The result is a unique feature that appears completely natural within the room, seamlessly blending contemporary functionality with traditional decorative plasterwork.

Every decorative component used within the ceiling was manufactured by hand in our workshop using traditional fibrous plaster techniques.

Our skilled craftsmen produced each cast individually, ensuring crisp detail, consistency and exceptional quality throughout. As specialists in bespoke plaster mouldings and heritage plasterwork, we understand that the success of a project such as this depends entirely on the accuracy and quality of every individual component.

The ceiling incorporated numerous hand-cast decorative elements, all carefully produced using traditional methods before being prepared for delivery to site.

Once on site, the installation process began with a full ceiling set-out undertaken by hand.

Using string lines, chalk lines and laser equipment, the entire ceiling layout was carefully established before any mouldings were fixed in place. This traditional approach ensures complete accuracy and allows any minor site variations to be accounted for before installation begins.

With the layout confirmed, the fibrous plaster casts were installed using time-served methods that have been employed throughout the decorative plaster industry for generations.

Each section was:

• Stuck and screwed into position
• Reinforced using fibrous plaster wads Cleated and jointed as installation progressed carefully finished and made good on site Prepared for the specialist decorative finish.
• Particular attention was given to the small torus panel detail, which was individually bedded by hand using laser-guided positioning to ensure complete accuracy and consistency throughout the ceiling.

Following installation, all joints and fixing points were carefully finished to create a flawless surface ready for decoration.

The ceiling was designed to receive a specialist gilded finish, with options including a traditional gold leaf appearance or an elegant moonlight metallic finish. The crisp detailing achieved through the hand-cast fibrous plasterwork provided the ideal foundation for the decorative scheme that followed.

Penkridge Hall perfectly demonstrates the value of combining traditional craftsmanship with thoughtful design and modern precision.

From early-stage design coordination through to workshop manufacture and on-site installation, Fine Art Mouldings was proud to contribute to a project that celebrates the very best of British decorative plasterwork.

The completed ceiling stands as a testament to the skill of our craftsmen and the enduring beauty of bespoke fibrous plaster mouldings within historic and luxury residential interiors.

Looking for Bespoke Decorative Plasterwork?

Fine Art Mouldings specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of bespoke plaster mouldings, decorative plaster ceilings, fibrous plasterwork, ornamental plaster details and heritage restoration projects throughout the UK.

Whether you are restoring a listed building, designing a luxury residence or creating a unique architectural feature, our team can provide a complete service from concept through to installation.