Historic Home Restoration Painting in Boston & Brookline, MA

Q: How do I get a quote for painting a historic brownstone?

Call (978) 886-8854 or use our online quote form. We'll schedule a free on-site visit, inspect surfaces, and send a written itemized quote. Brownstone projects often involve scaffolding, access planning, and masonry or trim prep, so an in-person visit gives the most accurate price.

Gonnella Painting & Restoration delivers meticulous historic home restoration painting across Boston and Brookline—preserving original woodwork, period trim, and classic brownstones with lead-safe precision.

Historic Home Restoration Painting for Boston Estates & Brownstones

Gonnella Painting & Restoration restores and repaints historic homes, brownstones, and Victorians across Brookline and Greater Boston. We specialize in lead-safe surface preparation, wood and trim restoration, and period-appropriate coatings that protect original architectural character. Our work is fully insured, and we offer free estimates. Call (978) 886-8854 or request a quote.

What Is Historic Home Restoration Painting?

Historic home restoration painting is the repair, preparation, and repainting of older homes in a way that preserves original materials and character instead of covering them up. Unlike a standard paint job, it often involves stabilizing aged wood, repairing plaster, managing lead-based paint safely, and choosing coatings and colors that suit the home’s era and style.

This matters in Greater Boston, where many homes were built long before 1978, the year lead-based residential paint was banned in the U.S. Older paint layers, original wood, and decorative details need careful handling to last another few decades.

Our Historic Restoration Painting Services

Historic Exterior Painting and Wood Restoration

We scrape, repair, prime, and repaint wood siding, clapboard, shingles, porches, cornices, window trim, and decorative brackets. Where wood is sound but weathered, we restore it instead of recommending full replacement. Massachusetts freeze-thaw cycles and humidity are hard on exterior coatings, so preparation and product choice drive how long the work lasts.

Interior Plaster Repair and Period Trim Painting

We repair cracked plaster and aged surfaces, restore baseboards, crown molding, wainscoting, mantels, and staircases, and finish them with smooth, durable coatings. For a flawless finish on newly repaired walls, we also offer Level 5 drywall finishing.

Lead-Safe Surface Preparation

Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. We follow lead-safe work practices to contain dust, protect your family, and leave the property clean. Our dust-extraction equipment helps keep the workspace cleaner during sanding and prep.

Window, Door, and Millwork Restoration

Original wood windows, doors, shutters, and built-ins are part of what makes a historic home valuable. We strip failing paint, repair damage, and refinish these elements to protect the original material.

Period-Appropriate Colors and Finishes

We help you choose historically sympathetic color palettes and finishes using premium Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams products, including low-VOC and zero-VOC options. If your home sits in a historic district, we can help you plan color and material choices with the local review process in mind.

Cabinet Refinishing and Specialty Work

For older kitchens and built-ins, we offer cabinet refinishing and off-site spraying.

Historic Homes We Work On

We work on the following home types across Greater Boston:

Brownstones and rowhouses (Back Bay, South End, Beacon Hill, Charlestown)
Victorian and Queen Anne homes (Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, Somerville)
Colonial and Federal-style homes
Triple-deckers and multi-family historic buildings (Dorchester, Somerville, East Boston)
Historic condos and converted mansions
Pre-1978 homes needing lead-safe renovation

Working in Boston and Brookline Historic Districts

Some neighborhoods, including areas of Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the South End, and Brookline’s local historic districts, have design review requirements for exterior changes. Whether a repaint needs approval depends on the district and the scope of work, so we recommend confirming with your local commission before starting. We can help you document the project and prepare the information a review typically requires.

Our Historic Restoration Process

01 Free consultation and inspection.

We visit your home, assess surfaces, identify problem areas such as peeling, rot, or plaster damage, and discuss your goals.

02 Written, itemized quote.

You receive a clear scope of work and price with no hidden fees.

03 Protection and containment.

We protect floors, landscaping, and furniture, and set up lead-safe containment where needed.

04 Restoration and prep.

We scrape, strip, repair, sand, patch, caulk, and prime, which is the step that determines how long the finish lasts.

05 Painting and finishing.

We apply premium coatings in the agreed colors and sheens.

06 Final walkthrough and cleanup.

We inspect the work with you, complete touch-ups, and clean thoroughly. Your project isn't finished until you're happy.

How Much Does Historic Home Painting Cost in Boston?

Historic restoration painting usually costs more than standard painting because of the added prep, lead-safe practices, repair work, and access challenges such as scaffolding on brownstones. Final pricing depends on home size, condition, number of paint layers, height and access, and the amount of wood or plaster repair needed.

For accurate pricing, request a free estimate.

Recent Historic Restoration Projects

Why Homeowners Choose Gonnella Painting & Restoration

Local expertise: We work on Brookline and Boston’s older housing stock regularly and understand how these homes age.
Led by the owner: Paul oversees projects and is named in client reviews for his knowledge and communication.
Insured and accountable: Fully insured with Workers’ Compensation coverage, and our work is backed by a workmanship warranty.
Clean job sites: Dust-extraction tools and thorough daily cleanup.
Licensed: MA Home Improvement Contractor registration (HIC Number: 217406)

What Our Clients Say

      
   Gonnella Painting & Restoration
   51 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Keila Lambert 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you are looking for experienced and professional painters, Gonnella Painting and Restoration is the way to go.  Their professionalism and attention to detail is remarkable.  The team arrives on time every day, meticulously prepares each surface, and delivers a flawless finish. They are very communicative, listen carefully to customers needs, and clean up thoroughly after each day's work. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a top-quality paint job
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Dylan Marcus 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I hired Gonnella painting through a referral and he exceeded expectations. Paul the owner was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The attention to detail him and his crew did was 10/10
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alaina Kinol 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Paul and his team did a magnificent job painting after we had lead removed. They were thorough, meticulous, and completed the huge job on time. Paul is friendly and pleasant to work with and was accommodating to our requests throughout. We were not able to be very engaged during the process, but Gonnella made our lives easier and it came out beautifully! I highly recommend Gonnella!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sterling Etheridge 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Paul and his team were all very professional, efficient, and thorough! I reached out to Paul on Monday 10/7 for a quote, and by Wednesday 10/9, they were able to start and complete the project! Will definitely be contacting them for any future painting needs!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nectar 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently had the pleasure of working with Gonnella Painting for a complete paint job in my newly renovated condo, and I couldn't be happier with the results! From start to finish, their team was professional, punctual, and incredibly detail-oriented.

The color consultation process was smooth, and they provided excellent suggestions that perfectly matched my vision with an incredibly reasonable quote. The painters were not only skilled but also respectful of my space, ensuring everything was clean and tidy throughout the project.

The final outcome is stunning—every wall and trim looks flawless, with smooth finishes and bright white throughout that really put the finishing touches on my unit before putting it on the market for sale. I’ve already received compliments on the fresh look!

I highly recommend Gonnella Painting for anyone looking for high-quality work and a stress-free experience. They truly exceeded my expectations!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   teaghan costello 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best in class!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Tracy Montgomery 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing company!  They do a great job and they are so caring and friendly.   Highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Elizabeth Morrison 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. You can expect excellent customer service AND excellent painting results. Gonnella Painting has great attention to detail and will go above and beyond to satisfy their customers. Worth the wait if their schedule is busy!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Diandra Sepulveda 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend Gonnella Painting & Restoration. The quality of their work is consistently outstanding, exceeding my expectations every time!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Emmett Kiernan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Paul and his crew did a fantastic job painting the whole interior of our house. It was a huge project and they did everything in a timely manner with immaculate results. Highly recommend!

Our work is rated 5.0 on Yelp and has Google reviews from Boston-area homeowners.

Frequently Asked Questions About Historic Home Restoration Painting

Do you specialize in historic home restoration painting in Boston and Brookline?

Yes. Gonnella Painting & Restoration paints and restores historic homes, brownstones, and Victorians in Brookline, Boston, Cambridge, Newton, and surrounding communities, including lead-safe preparation and restoration of original wood, plaster, and trim.

Are you certified to work on historic homes with lead paint?

Yes. We are EPA Lead-Safe (RRP) certified, firm certification (HIC Number: 217406) and follow lead-safe work practices on pre-1978 homes. Contact us to discuss your home’s specific situation.

How do I get a quote for painting a historic brownstone?

Call (978) 886-8854 or use our online quote form. We’ll schedule a free on-site visit, inspect surfaces, and send a written itemized quote. Brownstone projects often involve scaffolding, access planning, and masonry or trim prep, so an in-person visit gives the most accurate price.

Do I need approval to repaint my home in a historic district?

It depends on the district and scope. Some Boston and Brookline historic districts review exterior changes, including certain color or material changes. Check with your local historic commission before starting, and we’ll help you prepare project details.

Get a Free Estimate for Your Historic Home

Tell us about your home, and we’ll recommend the right approach.

Address: 1037 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446

Call: (978) 886-8854