Restored pressed metal ceiling with blue-green, cream and gold decorative panels at the Exeter residence. — A completed decorative ceiling at the Exeter residence.

Heritage Pressed Metal Ceiling Restoration in Exeter, NSW

2026 Winner — Heritage & Restoration · AWCI NSW Awards of Excellence

Restoring the ceilings already in place

At this private residence in Exeter, NSW, Sydney Pressed Metal restored a series of original pressed metal ceilings. Aged, uneven finishes and areas of rust needed attention. The work focused on retaining the existing metalwork and bringing its decorative detail back into view.

Project location:
Exeter, NSW

Project type:
Private residence

Scope:
Preparation, rust treatment and repainting of existing pressed metal ceilings; multicolour paintwork and genuine gold-leaf detailing on the main ceiling.

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Before & After

The same decorative ceiling, photographed from different positions. Follow the square panels and ornate centrepiece from the original finish to the completed paintwork.

Before

After

Close-up of restored pressed metal panels with multicolour paintwork and gold detailing around the centrepiece. — The same ceiling, restored with multicolour paintwork and genuine gold-leaf detailing.

The work behind the finish

Surface preparation and rust treatment came before repainting, with each room approached to suit the metalwork already in place. On the main ceiling, contrasting colours define the panels, borders and centrepiece, while genuine gold leaf picks out the decorative detail.

Visible rust patches and deteriorated paint on the original decorative pressed metal ceiling at Exeter. — Close-up of visible corrosion and deterioration on the original decorative pressed metal ceiling at Exeter.

A tradesperson preparing the original decorative pressed metal ceiling in Exeter. — Preparing the main ceiling’s original panels and decorative relief.

A tradesperson removing old finish from an original patterned pressed metal ceiling at the Exeter residence. — Removing the old finish from a separate patterned ceiling at the Exeter residence.

Before → Restoration → After: the hallway

This separate sequence follows the hallway’s rectangular panels. The restoration view looks back from the opposite end; the finished ceiling is white.

Before