Commercial Painting – Reception
Refurbishment at 90 High Holborn
Trust, natural tones and a weekend of transformation
Located in the heart of London’s Holborn district, 90 High Holborn is a modern office building – a vibrant space serving dozens of companies and hundreds of people every day. It’s a place where functionality meets aesthetics, and where first impressions count – especially at the reception.
We were asked to refresh this key area by our long-standing client, SPA, with whom we’ve delivered numerous commercial painting and decorating projects across London. Although the reception makeover seemed modest in scale, the project required expert coordination, smart planning and a specific approach to materials – perfectly in line with our commercial painting philosophy.
Material matters – using lime paint from Mike Wye
Early in the process, the client made it clear: they wanted natural colours with an earthy tone – something subtle and modern, yet also respectful of the existing lime plaster finish. After a sampling and consultation process, the final selection was Traditional Lime Wash from Mike Wye & Associates – one of the UK’s leading suppliers of ecological, heritage-grade building materials.
This was no off-the-shelf paint. Mike Wye Lime Wash is a breathable, mineral-based coating made from natural lime – free from plastics, chemicals or VOCs. It doesn’t sit on the surface like modern paints. Instead, it penetrates the substrate and works in harmony with lime plaster, bringing out its texture and character.
The result? A soft, matte, and naturally tonal finish – elegant, calming and rich in detail. The kind of finish that works perfectly in premium interiors such as receptions, galleries or heritage spaces. The final colour chosen was warm, grounded, and perfectly suited to the feel of the building.
Working out-of-hours – precision over a weekend
Because the building operates at full capacity during the week, all works had to be completed outside of office hours – with as little disruption as possible. After agreeing the schedule, we planned and executed the job across a single weekend (Saturday and Sunday), allowing the reception to reopen smoothly on Monday morning.
We assembled a team of six experienced professionals, each with a clear role. The first stage involved fully protecting the space – floors, fixtures, fittings and architectural details were all carefully masked. Then, in carefully timed layers, we applied the lime wash, paying close attention to temperature, humidity and drying time.
Lime paint is a specialist product – it requires a different mindset and method than traditional emulsions. Rather than aiming for flat uniformity, it’s about achieving subtle movement, natural tonal shifts and soft texture. With years of experience in commercial painting using natural materials, our team delivered the finish flawlessly.
The result – modern reception with character
After two days of focused work, the reception at 90 High Holborn had been completely transformed. Instead of a standard surface refresh, the space now felt warm, clean and characterful – reflecting both professionalism and a refined, natural elegance.
The client was thrilled – both with the finish and the smooth process. Here’s what they said:
“Kris and the team carried out decorating at 90 High Holborn reception for us. They demonstrated exceptional professionalism and attention to detail throughout the project! It was an unusual one due to paints being lime washed rather than off the shelf and this did not phase them! Colour matches were perfect and the finished result gave a great fresh look to the reception!”
Why choose IGNAS for commercial painting?
- Specialists in natural materials – lime plaster, lime wash, mineral paints
- Out-of-hours project delivery – no disruption to day-to-day operations
- A skilled team able to deliver high-end results in tight timeframes
- Experienced across Holborn – we know the area, the logistics and the expectations
Looking for a commercial painting team that combines quality, calm execution and natural aesthetic results?
Talk to IGNAS – for years, we’ve been painting London interiors with precision and style.
