Sumatrastraat, Archipelbuurt
The Expats who approached us for the paintwork on this premises had a clear message: they wanted to live and work in surroundings that did justice to the past (the Sumatrastraat and Balistraat were the first streets created around 1870 in the Archipelbuurt) but at the same time did not feel dated. Of course that’s a challenge we at Parkstaete were happy to take on. After commencing work, we immediately noticed how the wonderful entrance and the light-drenched rooms determined the image of this double upper house. Because, at this location, we are dealing with a protected cityscape, we took the applicable requirements into account when choosing the colour for the exterior. The outdoor work – something many house owners forget – is just as important as the indoor work. Both should be up to date, so that not only the influence of the weather is stopped from the outside, but also that the humidity indoors cannot damage the woodwork. Therefore, before we start, we use calibrated equipment to measure how much damp there is under the old paintwork. By taking this into account during the work, we increase the lifespan of the top condition of the paint layer. This house with its many original turn of the century elements requires a customized approach. We as professional painters are happy to deliver that because the end result is always fantastic. For example, the stairwell in this house was a particular challenge. We first removed the old paint from the treads and balusters with Peele Away before putting on a new paint layer – in this case from the Sigma brand. The use of linseed oil-based varnish was preferable in this case, since this makes the restoration even more durable. In addition, when applying a new layer of varnish, you must first always completely strip the risers and baseboards (that endure a lot of wear and tear during their lifespan). We favour a water-based varnish for this, since this makes it easier to repair any scuff damage. We are also extremely happy with the supporting beams in the house, which we pained in a beautiful stylish blue. All in all, a challenging project, which we still look back on with pleasure.