Project of the Month

The Old Schoolhouse based in the small village of Keyingham on the outskirts of Hull, was once the old Junior school for the village. In 2007 the current primary school amalgamated with the infants’ school and the derelict site was left boarded up for approximately 10 years.

The old Keyingham Junior school was finally bought by a couple, the wife of which grew up in the area and attended the school. Their vision for the property was to convert the old building into a fantastic family home.

Mark Corcoran, director of HiMarks Decorating was approached to take on the task of the exterior in Summer 2018 and has returned this year to complete the decoration of the interior kitchen, bar and loft areas.

The loft area was straight forward in that it was all bare plaster. A mist coat was required, followed by 2 coats on the ceilings and walls with Johnstone’s Trade Durable Matt Emulsion in white. All original wooden beams and new skirtings where filled, knots sealed, and painted with Valspar Trade primer & undercoat in grey and finished with two coats of Valspar water-based eggshell. The application of paint on all surfaces was by roller and brush.

Mark said, “The kitchen proved to be the most taxing job, due to the original school hall’s high ceilings and skylight, it was a bit of a challenge trying to wallpaper at such a great height!”

The kitchen ceiling bays were mist coated and 2 coats of Valspar matt emulsion V700 in Winged Victory was applied. The beams separating each bay were all painted in white, to provide a stunning contrast.

Preparation to all the wooden panelling downstairs was labour intensive. All panels were filled, primed and finished in two coats of Valspar trade water-based eggshell in Charcoal Sketch. The biggest challenge of the project was probably the original school doors and frames.

Mark said, “They took numerous layers of various Toupret fillers and several coats of paint to bring them back to somewhere near original condition”.

On completion of the painting, the kitchen and arched window were papered using Henderson Interiors Prosecco Sparkle Marble Wallpaper Copper and the remaining offcuts were used in a gap in the kitchen units to complete the look.

Mark began his training as a decorator in 1986, serving an apprenticeship with Turners Decorating whilst studying at college for his City & Guilds and Advance Craft qualifications.

However, in 1993 Mark was made redundant when they closed his branch and he went working in a factory for 23 years! Two years ago, Mark decided to return to the tools and the job he had loved doing. He made the brave decision to go self-employed starting up HiMarks Decorating, where he’s never looked back!

Mark said, “The schoolhouse is the biggest challenge I’ve taken on, but all went smoothly. The customer gave me a specification of what they wanted, and I was left to carry out the project”.

The owners have set up a Instagram page @oldkeyinghamschool.