02/08/2026
RMS Olympic (Titanic’s sister)
First-class Grand staircase painted green in her 1932-1933 refit.
As the ‘Old reliable’ approached the end of her career, it was apparent that she was aging and struggling to compete with newer and more modern liners. However, Olympic had a loyal following and was seen as an institution of the grand old days.
It was decided to give Olympic a vibrant and refreshing makeover to bring her into the post-war era in an attempt to revive her career.
Her changes were overseen by Ashby Tabb from Heaton Tabb & Co. Who painted the staircase an oak green with gold edgings and embellishments on her prominent carvings.
Green was a very fashionable colour in the late 1920s early 1930s. It was seen as refreshing against the pre-war rigid establishments that dragged the world into a war.
Along with new furniture and upholstery to freshen up the interiors.
It’s mentioned that ‘great thought and care’ had been given to changes, ‘so as to preserve the spirit and tradition which has grown around her’
There was great anticipation upon Olympic returning to service for the 1933 season. The press mentioning that ‘she looked like a debutante’, ‘Looking like new’ and ‘The first class staircases are superb in any guise, broad and dignified, and far beyond in magnificence any ship of recent years’
Edward Croft-Smith, the staircase original designer, was less than impressed by the new colour and apparently vowed never to design another if ship owners were going to change them. Thoughts were echoed with the older travellers that preferred the original decoration saying ‘the somewhat garish colours offending the designer’
Regardless of criticism, the new green staircase proved popular with passengers who mentioned that it ‘brightened up the ship without damaging her old charm’
What do you think?
All artwork by RMSTITANIC.DESIGN
