Preserving a historic home takes more than paint. It takes respect for the architecture, knowledge of period-appropriate colors, and prep that honors what the original builders made. Aurora has done this work since 1987, including landmarks by Bernard Maybeck, Julia Morgan, and John Hudson Thomas.
What we restore
- Victorian homes: ornate trim, layered color schemes, detail work done by hand.
- Craftsman and brown shingle homes: natural wood, stains, and earth palettes true to the style.
- Mid-century homes: sharp lines and clean planes.
- Historic commercial buildings: storefronts and community landmarks.
- Decorative features: railings, shutters, doors, and custom woodwork.
Lead-safe on pre-1978 homes
Most Bay Area historic homes were built before 1978, so lead-safe practice is not optional. Aurora is an EPA RRP Lead-Safe Certified Firm, certified under the federal Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. The certification is held by the firm, not by one person on the crew, and it is renewed. We sand with HEPA-filtered equipment, contain and collect the debris, and remove it sealed from your property, to keep your family and your community safe.
Recognized by the preservation community
Our restoration work has earned two preservation awards, with Aurora named on both: the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association award in 2006 and the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society award in 2021. Read about the awards
Ready when you are
Call (510) 973-2726, or send the contact form and we’ll call you.