Case Study: Restoring a 100-Year-Old Red Deal Floor in Malahide

Client: Jackie Tracey Interiors
Location: Malahide, Dublin
Project: Restoration of a historic Red Deal floor for a Pilates Studio
Challenge: Balancing preservation with modern design in a tight timeframe

The Floor’s History

The floor was part of the original house, untouched for over 100 years. While structurally sound, it showed signs of its age: a faded outline from a long-removed central carpet and black-painted edges. Minor repairs were needed before work began, including securing loose boards and filling cracks.

Challenges

1. Sensitive Environment: Located above a busy beauty salon, work had to be done overnight (6 PM – 4:30 AM) to avoid disrupting the business below.
2. Delicate Material: The century-old Red Deal required careful sanding. Multiple passes with medium-grit paper were needed to avoid damaging the wood while gradually revealing its true condition.
3. Client Vision: A dark, modern stain was requested to contrast with the studio’s minimalist white-and-plant decor.

Our Approach

1. Precision Sanding:
   We avoided aggressive sanding to preserve the floor’s integrity. Each pass revealed more of the wood’s character, allowing us to address imperfections without compromising its history.
2. Water-Popping Technique:
   To achieve the client’s desired dark stain, we “water-popped” the floor—applying water to open the wood’s grain. This ensured the stain penetrated deeply for a rich, even finish.
3. Fast-Drying Solutions:
   A solvent-based black dye was applied for depth and drama, followed by a compatible fast-drying varnish. This allowed us to complete staining and sealing in one night, avoiding delays.