020 3005 2873
Portland Stone Cantilevered Staircase Restoration – South Kensington, London
Project Overview
MGS Restoration Ltd were commissioned to restore a historic cantilevered Portland stone staircase within a residential property in South Kensington, London, as part of a full house refurbishment programme.
For decades, the staircase had remained hidden beneath carpet coverings installed during the mid-20th century. Historic carpet fitting methods used prior to the 1950s often involved securing carpets by pouring molten lead into hand-chiselled holes within the stone steps. Once the carpet and fixings were removed, hundreds of visible holes and scars remained across the staircase surface.
Our team was tasked with carefully removing all lead infills and carrying out specialist stone repairs to restore the staircase as closely as possible to its original appearance while preserving the historic character of the Portland stone.
The completed restoration successfully transformed the staircase back into a clean, elegant, and timeless architectural feature.
Project Details
Location: South Kensington, London
Service: Portland Stone Staircase Restoration
Material: Portland Stone
Building Type: Residential Property
Project Type: Historic Staircase Restoration
The Challenge
The cantilevered staircase had been concealed beneath carpet coverings for many decades. Historic carpet installation methods had caused extensive damage to the Portland stone, leaving hundreds of holes, chips, and surface scars once the coverings were removed.
Each step contained multiple lead-filled fixing points that had to be carefully extracted without causing further damage to the surrounding stone.
Because the staircase was an important original architectural feature within the property, the repairs needed to blend seamlessly into the existing Portland stone while maintaining the natural appearance and character of the staircase.
Achieving a consistent colour and texture match across such a large number of repairs required extensive sample development and careful hand-finishing techniques.
The Restoration Process
Removal of Historic Lead Infills
Our team began by carefully removing all historic lead infills from the staircase.
This process required precision and care to avoid damaging the surrounding Portland stone while fully extracting the old carpet fixing materials.
Once removed, the original extent of the damage and surface scarring became fully visible across the staircase.
Development of Bespoke Repair Samples
To achieve the closest possible match to the original Portland stone, MGS Restoration developed a series of bespoke repair samples prior to beginning the main restoration works.
Using a carefully refined combination of:
-
Portland stone dust
-
Lime and cement binders
-
Specialist colour pigments
our team produced several sample finishes for client approval.
A final repair mix was then selected to ensure the repaired areas blended naturally with the original staircase surface.
Hand Repairs to Portland Stone
Once the repair material had been approved, our craftsmen carried out more than 300 individual stone repairs across the staircase.
Each hole and damaged area was carefully repaired by hand using the bespoke repair mix, ensuring consistency in colour, texture, and finish throughout the staircase.
Particular attention was given to preserving the original detailing and clean lines of the cantilevered stone design.
Surface Finishing
Following completion of the repairs, the staircase was carefully refined and cleaned to ensure all restored areas blended seamlessly into the surrounding stone.
The final finish restored the staircase to a clean and authentic appearance while preserving the natural character and age of the Portland stone.
Materials and Techniques Used
-
Portland stone repair techniques
-
Bespoke lime and cement repair mixes
-
Portland stone dust aggregates
-
Specialist colour pigment matching
-
Hand-applied stone repairs
-
Historic staircase restoration methods
The Results
The completed restoration successfully returned the cantilevered Portland stone staircase to its original architectural form.
More than 300 historic fixing holes and surface scars were carefully repaired, removing decades of visible damage caused by previous carpet installations.
The restored staircase once again reads as it was originally intended — a clean, elegant, and timeless stone feature that complements the historic character of the property.
This project demonstrates the importance of detailed craftsmanship and material matching when restoring historic natural stone elements within period properties.
Historic Portland Stone Restoration in South Kensington
This project highlights the specialist expertise required to restore historic Portland stone within period residential properties. Through careful repair and detailed craftsmanship, MGS Restoration Ltd successfully revived this hidden architectural feature while preserving its original character and authenticity.
Contact MGS Restoration
If your terrazzo flooring or historic stone surfaces require professional restoration or structural repair, our experienced team can help.
MGS Restoration Ltd provides specialist terrazzo and stone restoration services across London, working with historic properties, residential buildings, commercial spaces, and heritage projects.
Contact us today to discuss your project or arrange a consultation.
Address
MGS Restoration ltd
167-169 Great Portland Street,
5th Floor,
London,
W1W 5PF
Phone
020 3005 2873
