In the Gentsestraat in The Hague, a monumental ground-floor apartment has been fully renovated — a collaboration between Parkstaete and Alexandria Garantie Aannemers. The paintwork was one of the most defining elements of this project. Julia Schlemmer of Parkstaete has been guiding this type of project for many years: historic properties where craftsmanship, technical knowledge of old paint layers, and respect for the original character of a building are indispensable.
The right approach starts with a thorough assessment
In a property like this — built at the beginning of the twentieth century — the condition of the woodwork and existing paint layers determines everything that follows. Julia explains her approach: "As a painter, you determine this by carefully assessing the substrate: adhesion, layer build-up, flexibility, and the condition of the wood are all decisive factors."
In this project, many areas had multiple historic paint layers built up on top of each other, based on systems using linseed oil and stand oil. These behave fundamentally differently from modern paints. Over time, they can cause tension in the substrate, particularly on vulnerable areas such as meeting faces and the undersides of doors, leading to peeling paint.
In most cases the conclusion was clear: full removal and rebuilding from scratch. Not as the easiest option, but as the only technically durable solution to prevent future problems. In various areas, woodwork was additionally repaired with epoxy, so that damage could be structurally resolved before the paintwork was rebuilt.
Materials and paint system build-up
For this project, paint products from Sikkens and Sigma were used, tailored to the specification and the application per situation. Indoors, a water-based paint system was chosen; outdoors, an alkyd resin paint system. This combination provides an optimal balance between workability, durability, and protection.
To achieve a mirror-smooth finish on the woodwork, combination filler from Vos was used. That level of finishing is not a detail — it determines the difference between a surface that looks good now and one that still looks good ten years from now.
What owners of this type of property need to know
Properties from the early twentieth century require a different approach than new-build homes. Julia is clear on this: "Paintwork is not just a finishing layer, but a technical protection system." A proper renovation therefore begins with an understanding of the existing structure of the woodwork and paint layers. Only then can realistic decisions be made about repair, replacement, and finishing.
A common mistake in this type of renovation is that existing paint layers are overcoated too quickly without sufficient analysis of the substrate. This sooner or later leads to adhesion problems and premature damage. The essence of good paintwork lies in having the discipline to go back to basics: assess, remove where necessary, and rebuild according to a logical paint system.
The result
For Julia, this project is a success because the execution allowed room for craftsmanship and care. "There was trust in the quality of the work, with the principle that the end result had to be not just beautiful, but above all technically sound."
What makes this project special is that the property has been fully rebuilt in the atmosphere and quality of a bygone era, while preserving its character and detailing. The opportunity to rebuild and finish an entire property at a level that does justice to its original character — that is exactly what Parkstaete stands for.
Why choose Parkstaete Schilderwerken?
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Specialised in interior and exterior painting for characterful properties
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Extra attention to preventive maintenance (lead flashings, wood rot repair)
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Use of quality products for a long-lasting result
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Direct collaboration with contractor for a complete solution
Would you like your property in Belgisch Park painted? Contact Parkstaete Schilderwerken for a no-obligation quote and tailored advice.