Mulholland Restoration &

Decorating is privileged to

have been given the opportunity

to revitalise more than 35 major

church interiors and other key

public buildings. We bring our

experience, skills and knowledge

to each new project.

CHURCH RESTORATION

& DECORATING

Mulholland Restoration & Decorating | email: contact@mulholland.com.au | www.mulholland.com.au

Saint Fr ancis’ Cat holic Church

Churches

Sacred Heart Church, St. Kilda •

St. Joseph’s Church, Collingwood•

Corpus Christi Chapel, Carlton•

St. Margaret Mary’s Church, East Brunswick •

St. Mary’s Church, Williamstown•

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Middle Park•

St. Bernard’s Church, Coburg •

Holy Trinity Church, Coburg•

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Camberwell•

St. Michael’s Church, Ashburton•

All Saints’ Church, East St. Kilda•

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne•

St. Peter and Paul’s Church, South Melbourne•

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat •

St. Francis’ Church, Melbourne •

St. Brigid’s Church, Gisborne •

Hawthorn Presbyterian Church•

Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Kyneton•

St. Alipius’ Church, Ballarat •

Ukrainian Cathedral, North Melbourne•

Loyola Chapel, Greensborough•

Project Lis t |25

K e y Projects

Other Projects

Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton•

National Trust Works•

Communication Room, Eastern Hill Fire Station•

Board Room, Manchester Unity Building, Melbourne•

Regent Theatre, Melbourne•

Various Government Building Works•

•

Many of our projects have won major

Architectural Awards.

All Saints’ Anglican Church, Eas t St Kilda

Saint Mary of t he Angels Cat holic Basil ica, Geelong

Saint Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, South Melbourne

Saint Patrick’s Cat hedr al, Melbourne

Saint Fr ancis’ Cat holic Church, Melbourne

Sacred Hear t Cat holic Church, St Kilda

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Middle Park

Surface Res tor ation – Fibreglass Membr ane

About Mulholland Restor ation & Decor ating

Project list

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25| 01•

In 2009 under the leadership of Father

Ramsay Williams Mulholland Restoration

& Decorating began the challenge of

restoring the interior of the church.

Significant water entry had discoloured

the limestone arches and columns and had

caused paint failure over many sections.

All Saints’ Anglican Church Eas t St Kilda

carved wood detail

02 | All Saints’ Anglican Church

All Saints’ Anglican Church | 03

One aspect of the works that had to be rectified was an apparent dislocation of the body of the

church from the chancel and the sanctuary. This separation was caused by an inappropriate colour

scheme and the use of a strong element of screen and ‘fence’. By way of an introduced dado and

stencil to act as a link band around the church, we achieved the reconnection we were seeking.

In addition, we introduced some appropriate stencilling to the Lady Chapel. This chapel had not

been decorated previously and was lacking any dignified treatment which made it look very much

like an afterthought.

The results were very successful. The interior is now in great harmony and looks completely

appropriate with a balance of traditional treatments and the freshness and cared-for look that

painting, new carpet, floor polishing and new lighting contributes.

Sanctuary04 | All Saints’ Anglican Church

The exterior of the church is rich

Gothic in style and presents

a wonderful church in its

surroundings. Mulholland Restoration

& Decorating assisted with the repainting

of the church in 2001.

Sa int Mary of t he Angels Cat holic Basil ica

Geelong

Saint Mary of the Angels Catholic Basilica | 05Sanctuary

Almost every skill in painting and decorating has been employed to

achieve this impressive outcome.

The interior of the church was previously ordinary and uninviting in

appearance. The paint scheme and colour was a grey/off-white flat

finish paint which had a negative effect on the interior.

There were some difficulties to deal with to achieve a substantial

improvement in the appearance, namely an overpowering and

strident orange marble the full width of the church in the altar rail,

sanctuary floor, large former altar, and five ambulatory chapels.

In addition, numerous bluestone and limestone cluster

columns, which were supporting arches in the nave to aisle

line, created an appearance of ‘striped pyjamas’ as described

by Father Kevin Dillon.

The interior rises to 17 metres in the crossing gable ends making

the church voluminous in size.

Our proposal was to create a warm sandstone colour which would

pick up the pew colour and add a dado colour, giving optical weight

and balance to the church. The colour had to have adequate

strength to counter the strength of the marble.

In addition, we proposed the reinstatement of the natural

appearance of individual elements that had been previously painted

over. So much minor detail had been ‘lost’ by this approach.

The outcome of the works has been very well received. Much effort

was put into resolving the particular challenges, and the painting

system employed has given the interior a level of finish whose light

reflecting influences create a comfortable appearance.

06 | Saint Mary of t he Angels Cat holic Basil ica

The architectural elements that play a role in detailing the church

style were all identified and some license was taken to introduce

painted finishes to underscore previously unnoticed elements.

For example, we painted large concrete columns in sandstone

materials and banded them to create columns with appropriate

appearance; arches that had no structural style were given some

for a visual result.

We recommended and applied a more dignified treatment for the

ambulatory chapels. We presented a stencil and colour for each

chapel designed to support the individual needs. Each chapel now

looks specifically designed and detailed for veneration.

The Stations of the Cross were conserved and the frames, which

were in a very sad state, have been reconstructed, refinished and

reworded in gold leaf.

The works were designed to avoid interrupting the normal daily

function of the church despite the requirement for scissors lifts,

very large boom lifts and multiple tower scaffolds to all be in action

at the same time. The works proceeded in sections to allow each

area to be completed, along with rewiring and new lighting.

The altars, tables, organ and pews were covered with protective

cloths, cleaned and repositioned for weekend services; when

needed additional plastic seating was also made available.

Saint Mary of the Angels Catholic Basilica | 07

This large volume blue-stone church

was built in the 1870s. Mulholland

Restoration & Decorating was engaged

to assist with the repairs and re-painting of the

interior of the church in 1999–2000.

Saint Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church South Melbourne

gold leaf lettering detail

08 | Saint Pe t er and Paul’s Cat holic Church

Under the direction of Falkinger Andronas Conservation

Architecture and with the assistance of Father Bob McGuire,

Parish Priest, a plan was agreed to ‘bring some life back into

the interior’.

The roof timbers had lost any degree of finish and appeared very

tired, the walls had suffered from many and various water entry

points creating significant peeling paint sections. Spider webs had

taken hold throughout the church.

The church had been renewed in 1970 in-line with a general

reordering of churches at this time and to complete these works

the interior had been painted white. It was proposed that the

white represented a cleansing and rebirth. Over the years the stark

white paint deteriorated and looked dirty; it offered little feeling

or message of invitation.

Our plan was to apply supportive colour to appropriate areas

throughout the church to reinforce the architecture that had been

negated by the previous white painting.

All surfaces were washed and cleaned of all superficial

contamination, repairs to roof timbers and plaster repairs to walls

were carried out. A re-introduction of a paint colour scheme suited

to the style of the church defined the character of the church.

Elements representing vaulted stone ceilings were re-enforced by

decorative techniques, the three main ceilings were re-varnished,

the pilaster columns replicating marble were treated as marble to

enforce style and the walls were treated with a traditional colour

that was supported with a dado of a suitably ‘weighted‘ colour to

balance the interior.

Saint Pe t er and Paul’s Cat holic Church | 09

gilded frame decoration

The Stations of the Cross were represented with new lettering and

script in outlined gold leaf.

The floor of the church had suffered over the years and was in need

of some work. This was stripped of the remnant coatings and washed

clean prior to the floor being hand sanded to retain the ‘history’ and

then stained and varnished.

This treatment presented the interior of the church in a renewed

and invigorated way. The white blandness was replaced by colours

selected for their suitability to ecclesiastic decor. The results have

been well received.

The works did not interrupt the normal daily function of the church

despite the use of large scaffold systems and the large amounts of

dust created. The altars, tables, organ and pews were covered with

protective cloths, cleaned and repositioned for weekend services.

10 | Saint Pe t er and Paul’s Cat holic Church

In 1995, Mulholland Restoration

& Decorating commenced

the conservation cleaning

and restoration works to the

sanctuary and cheviot chapels

accessed by the ambulatory in St.

Patrick’s Cathedral.

Sa int Patrick’s Cat holic Cat hedr al Melbourne

Saint Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral | 11

The chapels and sanctuary are decorated with a collection of

stencils significant in style and colour, and are regarded as being

among the richest in Victoria.

The original works were carried out in 1901. Evidently no works

had been undertaken in these chapels since, beyond the most

rudimentary spot repairs.

The stencils were cleaned and all damaged and lost paintwork

was restored to its former glory. Some significant water entry

problems around the base of walls and around windows had

caused extensive areas of minor damage. This damage was

repaired and the walls restored to their original condition.

The technical difficulty of matching 100 year old paint and colour

was mastered and the results allow the chapels to look at their

best with no visible signs of intervention. This was a great result

which took five months to achieve.

12 | Saint Patrick’s Cat holic Cat hedr al

Subsequently, we were asked by Falkinger Andronas,

Conservation Architects to consider a painting procedure for

the interior of the cathedral.

With assistance from Monsignor William McCarthy, a bespoke

colour and an application technique was developed.

The previous paint colour was a dull olive grey—possibly suited to

‘bluestone’ Melbourne however the colour on a grey day had no

soul and did very little for the interior, other than create a cold and

institutional atmosphere.

The interior architecture of the cathedral had been disguised by

this treatment and our brief was to reflect some of the original

architect William Wardell’s concepts into the colour, thereby

acknowledging the beauty of the interior design.

In developing the painting concept, consideration was given to

the amber coloured windows in the side aisles and the stunning

‘rose window’.

The substantial optical weight and heaviness of the cathedral that

had dominated the interior previously was alleviated by the use of a

beautiful and warm stone colour. Glazing added depth to the colour

without darkening the effect.

In contrasting colour against timber and bluestone, we allowed

a clear reading of the design and articulated each architectural

element. The innovative paintwork has contributed to a beautiful

and inviting interior.

The finished result has been extremely well received and a key factor

in the church winning an award for Conservation Architecture.

Saint Patrick’s Cat holic Cat hedr al | 13

Requested by Falkinger Andronas

Conservation Architects to

undertake the interior restoration

of one of Australia’s busiest churches,

our job was to restore the important 1842

cedar ceiling and to repaint the interior.

The church holds a significant place in the centre of Melbourne

and is a spiritual refuge for many from the hustle of the city life.

Our job was to restore the important 1842 cedar ceiling and to

repaint the interior appropriately.

Mulholland Restoration & Decorating embarked on one of the

most challenging jobs the company has undertaken.

The historically important church is also Australia’s busiest church.

With six masses every day, and prayer and reflection time between

masses, we were able to work with the requirements of the

community to achieve a very satisfactory outcome.

Saint Fr ancis’ Cat holic Church Melbourne

We screened off a work area and quietly went about removing the

multiple layers of accumulated surface coatings and contaminants.

This was a difficult and dirty task, however, we persevered and

succeeded in achieving a wonderful outcome.

The use of candles had resulted in the sanctuary ceiling becoming

so black it was not possible to see the 1870s painted decoration

beneath. A very careful system of over-paint removal was

developed to achieve the required outcome.

Once the ceiling was a clean and dry timber surface, we applied

shellac to reinstate the original treatment and appearance. The

results are a clean, warm and beautiful timber ceiling.

Now the beauty of the decoration is revealed and is a feature of

this surprising ceiling.

The rest of the church painting proceeded at a pace that suited the

constant relocating of the community and the priests.

14 | Saint Fr ancis’ Cat holic Church

Saint Fr ancis’ Cat holic Church | 15

The Ladye Chapel, located within the church is a most beautiful

and sacred place. In 2000 Mulholland Restoration & Decorating

was commissioned by the community of the Blessed Sacrament

Fathers to restore the chapel paint work.

Starting from its original highly decorated scheme, the chapel had

undergone a number of changes and abbreviations since it opened

in 1858. Over-varnishing and water entry had also had a deleterious

effect, and the interior was quite smoke stained.

A decision was made to restore the chapel to its full original painted

design. Works proceeded to remove all extraneous matter and

coatings to regain the ‘lost design’. The walls were consolidated

and the repainting works advanced.

The finished chapel is now both dignified and breathtaking, and

it has been one our greatest privileges to have been a part of

the restoration.

16 | Saint Fr ancis’ Cat holic Church

On entering this remarkable church

the unusual soft colour palette

offers a peaceful temple in the

midst of a busy bustling city.

Reproduced with minor change using light fast colours (no fading),

the interior reflects a European style of lavish decoration.

By 1988 the interior of Sacred Heart Church had come to a point

where substantial works and funding were required to restore

the beauty of the building and to preserve the condition from

further deterioration.

The slate roof had many water entry points through maintenance

issues and the consequence of this was evident from the

deteriorating plaster and peeling paint around the building.

Sacred Hear t Cat holic ChurchSt Kilda

When it rained water would flow onto the sanctuary floor and if it

was heavy rain it would flow down the length of the building and

out the front doors.

Father Ernie Smith energised the community and formed a

committee that took on the job of raising enough funds to restore

the church.

Mulholland Restoration & Decorating began work in 1988 with

exterior preparation of all rendered cement works including the

church tower and slate roof repairs.

All effort was put into securing and improving the existing

conditions. All water leaks were addressed, windows secured,

and water seepage through render parapets and deteriorating

windows and doors was treated with the most suited and varied

modern and technically superior treatments available.

Sacred Hear t Cat holic Church | 17

18 | Sacred Hear t Cat holic Church

On the completion of the exterior works, a start was made on

the interior.

A large barrel vaulted plaster interior with clerestory windows,

separate sanctuary and side aisles, remodelled in the 1920s and

decorated in the 1940s with a significant stencil scheme, added to

the unique style of this church in Australia.

The interior had been subjected to extensive plaster ‘shatter’ and

drummy sections had been caused by ageing plaster and traffic

vibrations.

The extensive water entry had also affected the plaster condition.

A decision was made to carry out a fibreglass application

to consolidate the existing condition and to add a surface

strengthening to stabilise the plaster.

This technique avoided the removal and replacement of substantial

areas of plaster and has avoided the recurrence of cracking.

It was necessary to create a stable surface on which the elaborate

design and stencilling could be painted, otherwise the plaster

cracking would compromise the whole undertaking. An extensive

application of fibreglass membrane was undertaken to consolidate

the prepared plaster ceiling and walls.

This major restoration of the church incorporated a technically

superior preparation and base system to achieve a cost efficient

and remarkably durable outcome. The works are now over twenty

years since completion and remain in excellent condition.

Sacred Hear t Cat holic Church | 19

Built in the 1920s, this red brick

church was in need of repair

and restoration to stop water

entering through the domes and cracked

cement dressings.

Colour detailing and scumble treatment created a beautiful

contrast to the light and welcoming warm cream colour.

This red brick with cement dressings church was in need of

substantial repair and restoration to stop water entry through the

domes and cracked cement dressings. The exposure of the render

to the elements was showing the toll of time.

Our remedial procedure incorporated high-pressure removal of

debris and cleaning of loose aggregate, prior to the consolidation

of the base surface using a cohesive fibreglass and elastomeric

membrane coating. We have been using this system for more

than 40 years with outstanding results.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church

Middle Park

20 | Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church | 21

The interior is a large sized single space church with decorative

fibrous plaster elements. Our plan with the interior was to embellish

the decorated plaster sections and treat all other surfaces in a

restrained manner, reflecting the size and simplicity of the design.

Wide scale plaster cracking required treatment to consolidate

the plaster surface. This was carried out to prevent any further

loosening, which would have resulted in significant re-plastering

being required at a large cost.

The system of consolidation consists of thorough surface

preparation and repair prior to the application of specifically

designed adhesive paints, into which fibreglass membrane is laid

and subsequently sandwiched with more adhesive. By using a

specific paint adhesive, the material is able to be coloured and give

a film build that buries the membrane to a degree that it cannot be

detected. We have used this system of repair for plaster for many

years with great success.

The pews were also in need of restoration, the marble needed

to be cleaned and the artwork preserved to bring this work to

conclusion. Even the church hall was included in the project.

22 | Surface Res tor ation

Our Unique Fibreglass Membrane

Cement dressings and rendered surfaces on the exterior of

buildings will show signs of deterioration after 70 or more years.

Mulholland Restoration & Decorating offers a unique solution to

this problem that not only saves on costly repairs to rendered and

other surfaces but also offers a more effective and durable long

term option.

The fibreglass membrane is essentially a bandage applied to a

surface to give strength and stability. It also provides a waterproof

and protective coating that can be matched to a render finish, or

any desired texture including smooth. The flexibility and durability

of the coating preserves the surface to which it is applied.

This fibreglass membrane can be applied to almost any

substrate, including both interior and exterior applications, using

elasteromeric adhesives that can be coloured to suit. It can also be

applied to shaped surfaces.

Using the membrane as a plaster repair agent that imparts a surface

cohesion, it preserves an aged plaster by allowing minor movement

of the substrate without fracture of the fibreglass membrane.

Standard membrane coatings alone will often perforate over

cracks, and most are non-breathable.

Our fibreglass membrane, specially developed for our purposes,

has been refined to suit restoration needs and the product is

invisible. We have applied this product over entire buildings both

internally and externally. This process meets the requirements of

many of the restoration challenges including durability, difficult

access and minimising cost.

Recent inspection of one project carried out 24 years ago showed

the surfaces to be in very good condition half way through its

projected durability.

We believe our proprietary fibreglass membrane, combined with

the adhesive product, is of significant importance in preserving

aged surfaces and creating results of prolonged duration.

Mulholland Restoration & Decorating has been using this product

with great results since 1970.

Surface Res tor ation | 23

Surface Res tor ation

Mulholland Res tor ation &

Decorating is a well established

family company of painters and

decorators. We bring over 60 years of

experience, skills and knowledge to each

new project.

Along with a diverse range of traditional trade skills, the company

works with up-to-date materials and concepts to deliver the most

decorative, protective and durable results.

The many skills, knowledge, and experience of the company is

unmatched by any other painting company in Victoria. Ongoing

study projects, overseas study programs, and site specific study

has allowed the company to continue to offer a surprisingly diverse

range of skills and abilities, including:

Restoration and conservation of painted surfaces•

Decorative styles and techniques from Egyptian to Eclectic, •

Victorian, Aesthetic & Art Deco

Heritage painting techniques and Art Wall paper hanging•

Trompe l’oeil•

Historically accurate sign writing•

Special paint manufacturing requirements, colour matching •

and formulae production

High quality hand cut stencils•

Investigative work•

French polishing•

Fibreglass membrane•

Each of our restoration projects presents a unique set of

requirements and challenges that have required us to research

and deliver appropriate and effective solutions. We recognise

the need for fully integrated services and have the skills and

experience to deliver.

With over 60 years of experience our knowledge and expertise

is unrivalled. With our unique blend of highly skilled craftsmen,

combined with our extensive range of both modern and traditional

materials and techniques, we can revitalise and transform any

beautiful building and reinstate original finishes.

Memberships & registrationsRegistered member Master Painters Australia•

Registered Building Practitioner Certificate •

Member of the Artisans’ Guild of Australia•

Registered with the Historic Building Council, Victoria•

Scaffolding licence•

Lead paint abatement certificates•

Mulholland Restoration & Decorating applies Quality Program

AS9002 to our work.

24 | Mulholland Res tor ation & Decor ating

Saint Fr ancis’ Cat holic Church

Churches

Sacred Heart Church, St. Kilda •

St. Joseph’s Church, Collingwood•

Corpus Christi Chapel, Carlton•

St. Margaret Mary’s Church, East Brunswick •

St. Mary’s Church, Williamstown•

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Middle Park•

St. Bernard’s Church, Coburg •

Holy Trinity Church, Coburg•

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Camberwell•

St. Michael’s Church, Ashburton•

All Saints’ Church, East St. Kilda•

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne•

St. Peter and Paul’s Church, South Melbourne•

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat •

St. Francis’ Church, Melbourne •

St. Brigid’s Church, Gisborne •

Hawthorn Presbyterian Church•

Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Kyneton•

St. Alipius’ Church, Ballarat •

Ukrainian Cathedral, North Melbourne•

Loyola Chapel, Greensborough•

Project Lis t |25

K e y Projects

Other Projects

Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton•

National Trust Works•

Communication Room, Eastern Hill Fire Station•

Board Room, Manchester Unity Building, Melbourne•

Regent Theatre, Melbourne•

Various Government Building Works•

•

Many of our projects have won major

Architectural Awards.

Mulholland Restoration &

Decorating is privileged to

have been given the opportunity

to revitalise more than 35 major

church interiors and other key

public buildings. We bring our

experience, skills and knowledge

to each new project.

CHURCH RESTORATION

& DECORATING

Mulholland Restoration & Decorating | email: contact@mulholland.com.au | www.mulholland.com.au