Expert Painters

Art Deco and Apartment Painting in St Kilda

19 Sep

St Kilda has one of the best collections of interwar and Art Deco apartment blocks in Melbourne. Those curved balconies, rendered facades and generous windows are part of what makes the suburb look the way it does, and they need a different approach from a standard house repaint.

Whether you own a single apartment or sit on an owners corporation committee, here’s what to know about apartment and Art Deco painting in St Kilda.

Inside your own apartment

Interior painting in an older St Kilda apartment brings a few recurring challenges:

  • Original plaster. Decades-old walls and ceilings often have cracks, past patches and uneven surfaces that need plastering repairs before painting.
  • Ornate cornices and ceiling roses. These need careful cleaning and brushwork rather than a quick roller pass.
  • High ceilings. Common in interwar blocks, they need proper access equipment and more paint than people expect.
  • Condensation and mould. Older windows and limited ventilation mean bathrooms and south-facing walls often need mould treatment and wet-area paint.
  • Access and noise. Lifts, stairwells, parking and shared entries all need planning, and most blocks have set working hours.
Interior painting in a Melbourne apartment

Colours that suit interwar apartments

These apartments usually have good natural light and generous proportions, so they take colour well. Warm whites and soft neutrals keep the period feel while brightening rooms. Muted greens, soft blues and warm greige tones work beautifully with original timber floors and brass fittings. Keeping ceilings, walls and trims in closely related tones helps smaller rooms feel larger.

Common property and owners corporation work

Painting shared areas is a different job again, because you’re dealing with a committee, a budget and residents who live there.

AreaWhat it usually involves
Entry foyers and lobbiesWashable finishes, careful colour matching, out-of-hours work
Stairwells and corridorsDurable low sheen, handrail and trim enamel, safe access
External render and facadesRender repairs, crack filling, breathable exterior paint
Balconies and balustradesRust treatment, metal primers, weather-resistant coatings
Car parks and service areasHard-wearing coatings and line marking where needed

Strata painting works best when the scope, colours and schedule are agreed in writing with the owners corporation before work starts, and residents are told what’s happening and when.

Heritage considerations

Parts of St Kilda sit within heritage overlays administered by the City of Port Phillip, and some overlays include external paint controls. Before changing the exterior colours of an Art Deco or interwar block, check the property’s planning details with the council. Even where no permit is needed, period-appropriate colours usually look better and are easier to get through a committee.

Plaster repairs before painting

Render repairs come first

Interwar blocks are usually rendered, and render cracks are extremely common after decades of movement and weather. Painting over cracked or drummy render just hides the problem. Proper rendering repairs before painting are what make the finish last, particularly on facades exposed to bay weather.

Planning the job

  • Confirm whether the work needs owners corporation approval
  • Agree the scope, colours and finishes in writing
  • Check access for lifts, stairs, parking and equipment
  • Set working hours that suit residents
  • Plan protection for shared carpets, floors and fittings
  • Allow for render and plaster repairs in the budget

Talk to your local team

Expert Painting and Renovation is a family-run, Aussie-local company based in Richmond, with more than 9 years of experience in residential and commercial painting. We handle interior painting, exterior painting, plastering, rendering and commercial painting, so apartment blocks can be repaired and repainted by one team.

See our painting and renovation services in St Kilda.

FAQ

Do I need owners corporation approval to paint my apartment?
Inside your own apartment, usually not. Anything affecting common property, including balconies and external walls, generally does.

Can apartment blocks be painted while people live there?
Yes. Work is usually staged area by area, with agreed hours and clear signage.

Do heritage rules apply to St Kilda apartments?
Some properties sit in heritage overlays with paint controls. Check with the City of Port Phillip before changing exterior colours.

Should render be repaired before painting?
Yes. Cracked or drummy render needs repair first, or the new paint will fail along the same lines.

Painting an apartment or block in St Kilda? Contact Expert Painting and Renovation for a quote.

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About Expert Painting & Renovation

Expert Painting and Renovation is an Aussie-local, family-run company based in Richmond, Melbourne, with more than 9 years of experience in residential and commercial painting and renovation. Our specialists deliver premium workmanship, timely service and durable finishes designed for Melbourne homes.

Whether you need maintenance advice, a single-room refresh or a full home makeover, our team is just a call away.

đź“Ť Our Service Areas Across Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Surf Coast & Phillip Island

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