Woodwork & Door Painting in NW3 — The Difference a Perfect Finish Makes

The woodwork in a Hampstead NW3 period home — the doors, skirting boards, architraves, window frames, and picture rails — covers an enormous surface area and has a disproportionate impact on the overall feel of the decoration. Paint the woodwork badly and the whole room looks cheap; do it superbly and the whole room feels finished and luxurious.

Preparation for Woodwork

Proper woodwork preparation is laborious but non-negotiable for a lasting result. We sand existing paint back to a smooth key with P120 then P180 paper, fill any cracks and nail holes with fine surface filler, spot-prime bare areas, and apply a full oil-based or specialist water-based undercoat before the finish coats.

Eggshell vs Gloss for Woodwork

Modern decorator's eggshell — from Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, or Mylands — has largely replaced traditional oil gloss for interior woodwork in NW3 period homes. It offers a softer sheen (more in keeping with heritage interiors), dries faster, and produces less yellowing over time. Full gloss is retained for front doors and kitchen cabinetry where maximum hardness is needed.

Colour Choices for Woodwork

The majority of Hampstead NW3 homes have woodwork in white or off-white. We most commonly use Farrow & Ball Pointing (warm off-white), Farrow & Ball James White (crisp), or Little Greene Lime White. Contrasting coloured woodwork is increasingly popular — Railings (near-black) on doors within a pale room creates a striking effect.