Plaster features bring character, history and artistry to a home. From the elegant lines of a cornice to the intricacy of a ceiling rose, these details form the architectural language of interiors. Yet with time, damage and neglect can take their toll. When a section breaks or deteriorates, the question becomes how to restore it without losing the sense of authenticity. At Modillion, our answer is the Match an Existing service, a process that blends traditional craft with modern precision to recreate plasterwork that looks as though it has always belonged.

The Heritage of Plaster Craftsmanship

Plaster has been used for centuries to add form, texture and ornament to buildings. Its versatility allowed Georgian homes to embrace symmetry, Victorian homes to adopt grandeur and Edwardian homes to introduce elegance. Each era left its mark in the plaster detailing it favoured. These elements were often created by hand, reflecting the artistry of their makers. When we restore such features, our role is not to impose something new but to honour what has gone before. Our Match an Existing service is built upon respect for the original design and the recognition that each property carries its own story.

Why Matching Matters

When a plaster feature is lost or damaged, replacing it with a modern alternative risks disrupting the integrity of the interior. A cornice that does not align in scale or profile, or a ceiling rose that differs in detail, can feel intrusive rather than restorative. Matching the existing ensures continuity. It allows the replacement to blend seamlessly, so that the whole room retains its balance and charm. For period and listed properties, this is especially important, as authenticity safeguards both heritage value and future market appeal. At Modillion, we believe restoration is successful when the new work cannot be distinguished from the old.

The Match an Existing Process

Our process begins with a careful survey of the feature to be restored. This may involve taking a section of the existing plaster to use as a pattern, or measuring and recording the profile in detail. If fragments remain, we analyse them closely to capture the curves, motifs and proportions. Using these references, our craftsmen create a mould in our Surrey workshop. Fibrous plaster reinforced with hessian is then hand-cast into the mould, using traditional methods that mirror those of the original makers. Once complete, the new section is installed alongside the old, seamlessly integrated into its setting.

Combining Tradition with Modern Capability

While our methods are rooted in traditional plaster craft, we also embrace modern capability where they enhances outcomes. Materials such as GRG or Jesmonite can be chosen for certain applications where lightweight or specific performance is needed. However, for heritage restoration, our preference is often fibrous plaster, as it offers both authenticity and compatibility. Our workshop is equipped to balance heritage sensitivity with contemporary efficiency, ensuring that clients benefit from both artistry and reliability. This dual approach allows us to work across a wide range of projects, from private homes to large commercial or listed buildings.

Examples of Restoration in Practice

The Match an Existing service has been applied to a variety of projects over the years. In one Victorian property, a section of ornate cornice had been lost due to structural movement. By taking a profile of the surviving section, we recreated the missing piece and restored the room’s symmetry. In a listed building, we matched delicate ceiling mouldings that had been damaged by water ingress. Our replacement blended invisibly with the surrounding plaster, meeting conservation requirements while reviving the space. Each example demonstrates how attention to detail, patience and precision combine to produce results that protect the architectural identity of the property.

Speed and Efficiency without Compromise

Although our work is bespoke, it is also efficient. Domestic projects are often completed within a matter of days, from initial pattern-taking to installation. This efficiency comes from keeping design, fabrication and fitting in-house, ensuring quality control at every stage. For clients who prefer to install themselves, we provide not only the cast sections but also adhesive, finishing plaster and expert advice to ensure success. Our ability to offer both a full service and a supply option makes restoration accessible while upholding our commitment to craftsmanship.

Why Clients Choose Modillion

Our clients range from homeowners restoring a single feature to architects overseeing large heritage projects. What they share is a need for reliability, authenticity and quality. Clients trust us to deliver results that enhance rather than compromise their property. Feedback often highlights how seamlessly our restorations integrate, with visitors unable to spot where new work has been added. This is the true measure of successful restoration. By combining knowledge of period detail with skilled handcraft, we achieve results that speak quietly yet powerfully of care and respect for the original fabric.

The Long-Term Value of Matched Restoration

Investing in matched plasterwork is not only about aesthetics. It is also about structural stability and longevity. By using compatible materials and techniques, we ensure that restored sections age in harmony with existing ones. This reduces the risk of cracking, separation or premature wear. For listed properties, it also helps ensure compliance with conservation requirements. Ultimately, matched restoration is a safeguard for the future, allowing historic homes to continue inspiring while remaining robust for generations to come.

Modillion’s Commitment to the Craft

At Modillion, we see plaster restoration as both an art and a responsibility. Our craftsmen are Advanced City and Guilds trained, bringing decades of experience to each project. We approach every commission with sensitivity to context, respect for heritage and pride in workmanship. Whether working on a small domestic repair or a large-scale commercial restoration, our commitment remains the same: to restore plasterwork with authenticity, skill and care. The Match an Existing service is our way of ensuring that the story of each building continues uninterrupted, enriched by detail and craftsmanship that honour the past.

Conclusion

The art of plaster restoration lies in achieving harmony between old and new. Matching existing plasterwork is the foundation of this harmony, allowing damaged or missing features to be replaced without loss of character. At Modillion, we have dedicated ourselves to perfecting this craft, blending traditional methods with modern capability to deliver seamless results. Our Match an Existing service embodies this philosophy, ensuring that period homes, listed buildings and modern projects alike can benefit from the beauty and integrity of authentic plasterwork. From damaged to perfect, our role is to preserve history while providing plaster features that endure well into the future.