Decorating Devonshire Street

Devonshire Street is a well-preserved Georgian residential street in Marylebone, W1G, running east–west between Portland Place and Wimpole Street as part of the Howard de Walden Estate's tightly controlled townscape. Laid out in the late 18th century, the street is flanked by neat four-storey brick-fronted terraces with plain but elegant London stock brick facades, timber sash windows and simple stone doorcases that exemplify the restrained classicism of late-Georgian speculative building. The street forms part of the Harley Street Conservation Area, which encompasses the surrounding medical quarter.

Devonshire Street's London stock brick facades generally require minimal external painting but the shared hallways, stairwells and consulting-room interiors of these converted townhouses demand high-quality, durable finishes that can withstand heavy footfall. The prominent front doors and windows, often painted in dark gloss shades consistent with the Georgian palette, require annual maintenance in this busy professional quarter.