We were asked to fully repaint a one-bedroom flat near Notting Hill Gate. The flat had beautiful high ceilings — a lovely period feature — but the whole interior needed refreshing: the bedroom, hallway, living room, kitchen and bathroom. On top of that, the large sash bay window needed painting both inside and out. There was one major problem: the window was covered in a thick, black layer of mould that had built up over many years.
A beautiful feature, and a serious problem
High ceilings always make a flat feel more spacious, but they also mean more surface area to cover — more wall space, more ceiling, and more careful cutting in around cornices and original details. The bigger challenge, though, was the sash bay window. The mould wasn't just a light dusting; it was thick, dark and deeply embedded into the old paint and timber. Painting over it would have been pointless — the mould would have come straight through the new paint within months. Worse, from a health perspective, disturbing mould without proper cleaning isn't safe. We also had to paint the exterior side of the window, which meant working carefully from inside where possible and using weather-resistant paint.
Five steps, worst area first
- Mould removal and deep cleaning of the sash bay window. Wearing appropriate protection, we scrubbed every part of the window frame and sill using a specialist mould cleaner and a stiff brush, over multiple passes. The old paint underneath was in poor condition, so we scraped away any flaking or softened areas. Once the mould was completely gone and the timber was clean and dry, we applied a mould-killing primer to prevent any regrowth — inside and out.
- Preparing the rest of the flat. The existing paint had visible scuffs, hairline cracks and some discolouration, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom. We filled small holes and cracks, sanded rough patches, and wiped down all walls and ceilings. The high ceilings meant working from sturdy ladders and extended roller poles — slow, but worth it for a clean line.
- Painting all walls and ceilings. All ceilings were finished in a fresh white matt to emphasise the height of the rooms. Living room, bedroom, hallway, kitchen and bathroom walls each got two coats of a durable, washable matt emulsion in a warm off-white. The kitchen and bathroom used a more moisture-resistant paint near the sink and shower.
- All woodwork. Every internal door, frame, skirting board, architrave and the sash bay window itself were repainted — a satin finish inside, and a flexible weather-resistant exterior paint on the outward-facing side of the window.
- Finishing touches. Window sills, the inside of the window recesses, and small details like radiator pipes where they met the wall — finished seamlessly from corner to corner.
From tired and neglected to bright and welcoming
Before we started, the flat had a tired, neglected feel. The black mould on the bay window was the first thing you noticed — not a good look in a desirable area like Notting Hill Gate. Inside, the walls were dull and marked, and the woodwork had lost its crispness. After our work, the flat felt completely transformed. The high ceilings finally looked like the asset they were meant to be, the bay window became a feature rather than an eyesore, and the whole space felt clean, bright and welcoming.
You can't paint over mould
It always comes back. This project shows why proper cleaning and the right primers matter, especially around windows and bathrooms where moisture is a constant issue. In a period flat with original features, attention to detail on woodwork and high ceilings makes all the difference between a quick landlord turnaround and a finish that feels genuinely premium.
