Case Study: Lake District Property Renovator – Preserving Heritage, One Lime Project at a Time

One of our favourite parts of writing these newsletters is sharing the inspiring work our customers are doing across the UK.

This month, we're heading to the beautiful Lake District to catch up with Brad O'Leary, the face behind Lake District Property Renovator. If you follow us on social media, you've probably seen some of Brad's incredible restoration work he's shared.

Brad has certainly been keeping busy. Between working on listed buildings throughout the Lake District National Park, attending the Installer Show, and recently hosting both Historic England and the Lake District National Park Authority, it took a little while to pin him down for a chat!

Working Alongside Heritage Organisations

When we asked Brad about his recent collaborations, he explained:

"It's the first time I've hosted Historic England, but judging by the feedback it's a possibility we'll be doing something on a regular basis. I often work with the Lake District National Park and the Listed Building Authority because the majority of our work is on listed homes within the National Park."

It's great to see traditional building skills being recognised and shared with organisations dedicated to protecting our historic buildings.

Specialising in Traditional Buildings

Lake District Property Renovator specialises in the conservation and preservation of traditional stone buildings.

"We specialise in the conservation and preservation of traditional and listed properties up here in the Lakes, all of solid stone construction."

With so many beautiful heritage properties throughout the Lake District, every project presents its own unique challenges - and rewards.

A Passion Sparked by Lime

Like many skilled craftspeople, Brad didn't originally set out to become a heritage specialist.

"Having left school, I worked on small modern domestic building projects. Then one day I witnessed a heritage firm slaking lime and rendering a cottage nearby - and I was hooked."

That single experience sparked a passion that has grown into a career dedicated to traditional craftsmanship.

Why Lime?

When asked what he enjoys most about working with lime, Brad's answer perfectly sums up why so many heritage specialists remain committed to traditional materials.

"Working with lime is not only healthy for the home but also the soul. Job satisfaction means more than the money."

It's a sentiment we hear time and time again from professionals working with breathable, natural building materials.

Matching Traditional Mortars

Interestingly, Brad doesn't rely on ready-mixed plasters for most of his work.

Instead, he prefers to create bespoke mixes to suit each individual building.

"We slake and mix all our plasters and renders on site or in the workshop. We try to replicate original mortars wherever we can."

Every historic building is different, and matching existing mortars helps preserve both the appearance and performance of traditional masonry.

Discovering Celtic Sustainables

We were curious how Brad first found Celtic Sustainables.

"I came across Celtic Sustainables while researching earth pigments for our homemade limewash products."

Those pigments have since become a regular part of his restoration work.

Working with Earth Pigments to make Limewash

Brad has been using our natural Coloured Earth Pigments to colour his own handmade limewash, and his feedback has been wonderful.

"The pigments have been fantastic. Whether used as a powder or made into a paste, I've found them to be a true representation of the colour tone."

Brad has recently used our coloured Earth Pigment colour: Light Yellow Ochre | Number 166

He also shared one of his top tips for anyone making their own limewash.

"I've only ever mixed the pigment into our own homemade limewash. I prefer mixing it hot because I can be precise with volumes and ratios. When mixing from lime putty, it's important to remember that the putty already contains a large quantity of water, which changes your ratios."

It's exactly this kind of practical experience that's invaluable for anyone looking to work with traditional lime finishes.

Preparation Is Everything

If there was one piece of advice Brad wanted to pass on, it wasn't about application - it was about everything that happens before and after.

"As with all lime work, the magic isn't a secret. It's the preparation and aftercare that's just as important as the application itself."

We couldn't agree more.

Whether you're applying lime mortar, plaster, render or limewash, careful preparation and proper curing will always produce the best results.

Planning Around the Seasons

Working outdoors in the Lake District brings its own challenges.

"With the harsh winters up here, I like to finish all our external projects by the end of August. Then we move indoors onto one of our larger renovation projects for the winter before heading back outside in spring."

It's another reminder that successful lime work is often about planning around the weather rather than trying to fight against it.

A Few Kind Words About Celtic Sustainables

Finally, we asked Brad about his experience of working with us.

"My experience with Celtic Sustainables has been nothing but a pleasure. Great product range, deliveries are always hassle-free and on time. That's why I keep coming back."

Feedback like this genuinely means a lot to our team.

We're incredibly grateful to Brad for taking the time to chat with us and share some of his knowledge and experience.

If you're passionate about traditional buildings, lime, and heritage restoration, we'd highly recommend following Lake District Property Renovator to see some truly exceptional craftsmanship in action.

And if you're planning your own lime project, whether it's limewash, breathable plaster, earth pigments or traditional building materials, we're always here to help you choose the right products and offer practical advice along the way - contact us.