Sandtex breathes new life into cellar conversion

Developed for use in challenging conditions both inside and out, Sandtex Trade’s X-Treme X-Posure® masonry paint has helped transform a 100-year-old warehouse to create an atmospheric furniture and interior store and a cosy new coffee shop.

Located in picturesque Llandeilo, Wales, Davies & Co has sympathetically converted the original Farmers’ Co-Op building to create a new furniture and interior shopping experience and The Lounge, a new café area for customers. The whole project takes its inspiration from store owner Marlene Davies’ own lifelong commitment to promoting the use of up-cycled and recycled materials, with many period features including the original stone walls and oak floor boards playing a key part in the interior design scheme.

Although usually applied to external areas, X-Treme X-Posure® was ideally suited for use on the solid stone walls and ceilings thanks to its microporous properties. Having suffered from years of damp, dark conditions, it was vital, that in its restoration, the stonework was allowed to ‘breathe’ and so after being suitably primed, the walls were coated in Sandtex’s high-performance water-based masonry paint. To further enhance the heritage of the building, whilst being careful to avoid a pastiche interior decor, the main broad wall areas painted in Anthracite Grey to add a stylish and contemporary twist. The application of the paint was completed by Pro-Clean Painting & Decorating Ltd.

As well as providing a matt finish that will offer excellent dirt-resistance and colour retention, X-Treme X-Posure® has excellent adhesion properties which makes it suitable for even the most challenging of substrates. Its flexible formulation also helps disguise hairline cracks and stops them reappearing.

Commenting Marlene said; “It was important to ensure that we did justice to the building and to keep its authenticity and heritage intact. There are many people who have fond memories of the building and are happy to share their stories as it is an important part of both Llandeilo’s agricultural and retail history.”

“Whilst not a listed property, we were conscious that any preservation work that we undertook was respectful and did not in any way detract from the wonderful character and ‘feel’ of the building, and we hope that this has been achieved. By using materials and paints sympathetic to this legacy, we are so pleased that we have been able to prolong the life of the building and play a small part in its history”.

Sandtex’s X-Treme X-Posure® is available from leading independent merchants and the nationwide network of Crown Decorating Centres. For more information and to find your nearest stockist, please visit www.sandtex.co.uk