Period Property Specialists · Est. 1996
A craft passed down.
A process never replicated.
Your home holds centuries of history. The beams deserve to be handled with care.
Back From Black is a second-generation restoration house, built on a process first developed 30 years ago, and refined ever since.
A word to period property owners
Period homes are shaped over time. They settle, shift, and carry the marks of those who built and lived in them.
These are not imperfections. They are a record of how the building has lived.
We preserve what is already there rather than replace it. We uncover the character that has been hidden over time.
We rediscover the character that has been hidden over time.
As featured on
George Clarke's
Old House New Home
Back From Black has been invited onto Old House New Home 3 times — the only company asked to return.
Each project was approached individually, with a finish chosen to sit naturally within the property and reflect the preferences of its custodian.
Do your beams deserve the same?
Warm Oak: Victorian Coach House
Series 6 Episode 3: Didsbury and Hove
Weathered Oak: Period House
Series 5 Episode 2: Yorkshire & Buckinghamshire
Aged Oak: Coach House & Farmhouse
Series 4 Episode 3: Leamington Spa & Mellor
As Featured On
George Clarke's Old House New Home
Back From Black was invited on three occasions to feature on George Clarke’s Old House New Home, the first company to be asked to return.
Each project was approached individually, with a distinct finish selected to sit naturally within the property and reflect the preferences of its custodian.
Do your beams deserve the same?
Our Projects
A record of projects completed
Trusted across period cottages, listed homes, and historic properties throughout England.
Developed over decades. Refined across generations.
The Back From Black Process
The process began with a decision not to strip away the past.
Penny, working on period properties in the early years, was faced with beams that would typically be stripped or blasted. She chose not to.
Instead, she developed a way of working the surface by hand. A considered approach. A refined finish. One that would bring the timber back into balance, without taking anything away.
That foundation became the process. Over time, it has been carefully developed and refined through continued work, and is now carried forward by the next generation.
A controlled application works with the surface of the timber, lifting tone and bringing forward the natural grain and markings already present.
It was never designed for speed or convenience.
Only for one outcome: to reveal the true character of period timber without removing a single part of its history.
"Nothing is removed. Everything is revealed."
The founding principle · Est. 1996
Our Methods
Four principles.
Held without exception.
Nothing is removed. Everything is revealed.
No loss of historic material
Every surface detail remains intact. Nothing of historic value is removed or compromised.
01
No Loss of Historic Material
Every surface detail remains intact. Nothing of historic value is removed or compromised.
02
Fully dust-free
Applied with brushes only. No blasting, no grinding, no residue. Your home stays exactly as you left it.
03
Controlled application
No corrosive chemicals. All applications are water-based and virtually odourless, completely safe for occupied homes.
04
Limited Projects
Few projects taken at any one time. Each property is worked personally, not scheduled around.
"This is a craft, not a service"
This process has not been standardised or distributed.
It has been developed privately, passed down, and refined through continuous work in period properties.
It is not replicated elsewhere.
"This is a craft, not a service"
This process has not been standardised or distributed.
It has been developed privately, passed down, and refined through continuous work in period properties.
It is not replicated elsewhere.
Why It Matters
Why Conventional Methods Fall Short
Most beam treatments were not developed with older properties in mind. They prioritise removal and uniformity over preservation, and the results reflect that.
Abrasive methods cause irreversible loss
Surface layers carry tool marks, hand shaping, and centuries of age. Once removed, those details cannot be reinstated. What looks like cleaning, is in fact erasure.
Indiscriminate approaches compound the problem
Older materials respond differently to modern treatments. Methods that fail to account for this are rarely appropriate for period properties.
Uniformity works against the material
Black paint is commonly introduced to period timber, bringing a uniformity that sits at odds with the material itself. The natural grain, tonal variation, and individual markings become subdued, leaving the surface visually flattened. What remains is consistent, but much of what made the timber distinctive is no longer as apparent.
Disruption is treated as unavoidable
And throughout all of this, disruption is treated as unavoidable. Dust, noise, and weeks of disruption are often treated as inevitable. They are not.
The Craftsman
The man who changed how Britain cares for its beams.
"I grew up around this process. It was developed in the early years of the business and shaped by the need for a more appropriate approach to period timber."
The method was established by Nick’s mother, Penny, in 1996, and has been refined within the family ever since. Nick has carried it across different timber types, different properties, different counties, different countries, always guided by the same principle: respect the building first.
The hands-on work is now carried out by Peter, a craftsman who joined the firm and was trained directly in the method. Peter brings his own experience to the work; Nick oversees each commission personally.
Each project is approached with the same mindset: Respect the building. Respect the material. Apply the craft properly.
The Craftsman
The man who changed how Britain cares for its beams.
"I grew up around this process. It was developed in the early years of the business and shaped by the need for a more appropriate approach to period timber."
The method was established by Nick’s mother in 1996 and has been refined within the family ever since. Nick has carried it across different timber types, different properties, different counties, different countries — always guided by the same principle: respect the building first.
The hands-on work is now carried out by Peter, a craftsman who joined the firm and was trained directly in the method. Peter brings his own experience to the work; Nick oversees each commission personally.
Each project is approached with the same mindset: respect the building. Respect the material. Apply the craft properly.
Recent Projects
Beautifully Finished Beams.
Trusted across period cottages, listed homes, and historic properties throughout England.
Signature Finishes
Three finishes. Carefully developed.
Each one selected to align with the existing tone and character of the property.
What the Work Reflects
Recognised by those who understand period property.
Common concerns from period property owners.
Everything you need to know before we begin.
Every property is different. These answers cover the most common questions we receive from period property owners.
No need to move out
The work is designed for occupied homes, with minimal disruption and no need to vacate.
No secondary works required
Original features remain fully intact. No replastering, redecorating, or preparatory work needed.
Suitable for listed properties
Our process adds a single cosmetic layer. No historic material is removed or compromised.
Non-hazardous & virtually odourless
All applications are water-based. No corrosive chemicals, solvents, or aerosols. Safe for children and pets.
Original features highlighted, not erased
Where black paint conceals grain, carpenter's marks, and witching marks — our process accentuates them.
Answers to your questions.
The work is designed for occupied homes. Minimal disruption, no need to vacate. No secondary works required, and original features remain fully intact. Suitable for listed properties.
Yes. The process works across multiple layers and varying conditions, without removing underlying material. In thirty years we have encountered every conceivable condition and refined our approach accordingly.
Most projects are completed within 1-2 days. We give you a precise timeline at consultation and we hold to it.
Each finish is matched to the tone, age, and structure of the building. Our approach is bespoke; we do not impose a standard result.
Well-restored original features are widely recognised as a premium asset in heritage homes. Clients consistently report that the restoration contributes positively to independent valuations.
We cover all counties across England. Get in touch and we will confirm whether we can reach you. In most cases, we can.
Get In Touch
Start with a Conversation
Every property is different. We begin by understanding your home; its age, structure, and current condition. From there, we provide clear, tailored guidance on what can be achieved. We work to your timeline, not ours.
Calls are taken by Charlene. She joined Back From Black when Nick’s wife, Lucy, stepped back from day-to-day operations following a diagnosis of lupus. Charlene spent her working life in her own family’s property business, lettings and new-build development, until her father retired.
Request A Free Quote
Period beam restoration specialists since 1996
🔒 Safe, confidential, and completely without obligation.
