Sylvia T. Designs is the premier native New Orleans decorative arts firm. We have been honoring tradition and progress and delivering our clients’ vision for 25 years!
We’re a New Orleans-based firm with extensive experience in commercial, residential, and historical projects, both small and large-scale around the Gulf Coast region.
“Sylvia T. Designs has been honoring tradition and progress for over 25 years in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast areas. We’re dedicated to respecting and perpetuating the craftsmanship and artistry that built the city. We celebrate NOLA’s history and culture through our work on every single project, every single day!”
~ Sylvia Thompson-Dias, Owner & Artist, Sylvia T. Designs
@SylviaTDesigns | #YourSpaceasaWorkofArt | #HonoringTraditionandProgress
Phone: (504) 435-8081 | Email: Contact “at” SylviaTDesigns.com
Sylvia Thompson-Dias of Sylvia T Designs Receives 2022 Design Master Award
Sylvia Thompson-Dias, Master Artisan and Owner of Sylvia T Designs, was recently acknowledged as a “Design Master” in the “Decorative Finishes” for 2022 by New Orleans Homes Magazine! This prestigious award is given to a single individual each year across a few design...
Make an Impression with a Feature Wall!
Pictured above – Custom Stencils in the foyer of Belle Époque, a sultry absinthe lounge in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Guests are greeted by two stencil designs on the walls as they exit Bourbon Street (a world away.) The designs we created were inspired by...
Tadelakt – Moroccan Lime Plaster
All-over tadelakt in a master bathroom arch and skylight in a Baton Rouge residential project. Here, we are applying a dry application of this traditional, versatile, and beautiful Moroccan plaster technique.Sylvia T Designs is the New Orleans and Gulf Coast area’s...
French Quarter Creole Cottage – Dramatic Plaster Finishes and Gold Leaf Ceilings
Pictured above – Shot of the billiard room with a view of the parlor. Featuring a “dragged” plaster finish that combines the plaster and embedded gold tints. You can also see part of the gold leaf ceiling. We’re excited to share this terrific project we did in an...
Several Sylvia T Designs Hospitality Clients Honored
Pictured above - Claret Wine and Cocktail Bar - Photo Courtesy of Sam Hanna/New Orleans Magazine. We are honored and thrilled that fully five of the hospitality spaces we’ve worked on recently are included in New Orleans Magazine’s “Best Bars” issue! We are also...
We are off and running here in 2023 with lots of great stuff happening – it’s been hard to find time to share! Here is a look at the extensive French Quarter Creole Cottage project that we worked on going back to 2022. We delivered work in every interior space in the historic home. So, be on the lookout for a lot more from this project and many others!
Pictured here is the TV Room. The homeowners had an antique tapestry set to adorn one of the walls that they wanted to highlight. They also selected vibrantly colored furniture. We applied a custom color-mixed Marmorino lime-based plaster to the walls and ceiling. We then added a soft strié lime wash giving a lovely warmth that perfectly complements the cool tones of the plaster and the rooms overall décor. Additionally, we glazed the original plaster ceiling medallion allowing it to pop a bit more but still keeping it as a nice harmonic element in the room.
Sylvia T Designs is the region’s premier artisan plaster firm. Trusted to deliver our clients’ vision in everything from new construction to historic spaces. Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
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Here is a glimpse (with more to come) from a cool project we’re on in a residence, an historic shotgun home, in the Marigny of New Orleans. One of the elements we’re delivering is plaster in the bathroom on the walls and ceiling. The homeowners and architect wanted a subtle look, so we went with a gorgeous Marmorino plaster. It perfectly complements the bright tile and tub, allowing them to pop in this contemporary feeling space.
Sylvia T Designs is the premier decorative arts firm and your expert plaster artisan in the region. We can help you find the right plaster bringing the perfect look and color. Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinisher #fauxfinish #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #limeplaster #plasterfinish #Marmorino #marmorinoplaster #nola #handpainted #historicrenovation #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #NewOrleans #Marigny
A plastered stove hood is a great and cost-effective way to breathe new life into your kitchen! Here, the homeowner and interior designer wanted to change the look to something a bit more modern – a box stove hood fit the bill. The hood was redone in this fashion, and we applied a dry application of tadelakt (it is so versatile – not just for showers, tubs, and bathrooms!) The plaster’s beautiful, subtle, and organic movement makes for a terrific centerpiece in the room!
Sylvia T Designs is the region’s only tadelakt artisan and your experts in all-things kitchen redo, including hoods, of course! Want to change the look of yours? Let us know how we can make your kitchen space a work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftswoman #decorativeartist #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #nola #neworleans #batonrouge #tadelakt #plasterfinish #decorativepaster #remodel #renovation #kitchendecor #kitchentransformation #interiors #kitchensofinstagram #moderndesign #kitchenremodel #kitchen #kitchenmakeover #homedecor #fixerupper #modernkitchen #kitchendesign
Hey, All! Twenty twenty-two was a great year at Sylvia T Designs! Thank you so much to our terrific clients, wonderful collaborators and suppliers, and our very special team! We hope you and yours are having a wonderful holiday season and we wish you all a joyous, healthy, and happy New Year!
We’re looking forward to many exciting things happening in 2023 – stay tuned! We have some great projects on the books, we will be introducing some new and exciting services, we’re growing, and we’ll continue to build careers for females in the decorative arts! All this while we continue to honor tradition and progress in everything that we do!
As always, let us know how we can make your space a work of art! Cheers!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinisher #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #nola #businesswoman #businesswomen #womeninbusiness #womenwhohustle #neworleans #batonrouge #gulfcoast #neworleanshistory #decorativeplaster #plaster #plasterfinish #handpainted #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola
Gold leaf ceilings are the thing these days! And Sylvia T Designs is the region’s gilding master! We just completed this striking (to say the least!) project in a residence in LaPlace. It is a gorgeous split-level space in the home that serves as a parlor. The leafed ceiling we delivered caps things off as a bold central feature of the room. As you can imagine, the job took tremendous teamwork, skill, and exceptional attention to not only detail but also safety and our team delivered!
If you’re looking for expert gilding work – gold, silver, or metal leaf – we’re your go-to for this specialized work. Whether it’s a ceiling, accenting, or simply a piece of furniture, mirror, or painting frame, Sylvia T Designs can make your space a gilded work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #masterartisan #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinisher #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiordecor #interiors #NOLA #LaPlace #goldleaf #gilding #gildingart #handpainted #parlor #ceiling #goldleafceiling #residential #remodel #southernliving #showmeyournola
Here is another shot of a significant project we recently completed in an historic home in the Bywater of New Orleans. We delivered several decorative finishes and other elements throughout the residence. Here, in one of the bathrooms, you can see the spectacular floor! We produced a custom stencil design and then aged the entire floor to give it an “old” look. You can also see some of the walls where we applied a dry application of tadelakt plaster (see our previous post to see the wet application of tadelakt in the shower!)
Sylvia T Designs is the premier New Orleans and Gulf Coast region decorative arts firm. Trusted in historic spaces, our skill, care, and experience are unmatched. Owner and master artisan, Sylvia Thompson-Dias, was recently recognized as the “Design Master” in the decorative arts by New Orleans Homes Magazine. If you want the best, reach out and let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinish #interiordesigner #interiordesign #plaster #plasterfinish #plasterfinishes #limeplaster #tadelakt #floor #customfloor #stencil #customestencil #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #Bywater #NOLA
Wouldn’t you like to walk into a shower like this?!? We delivered many spectacular elements in the bathroom and throughout this historic New Orleans home in the Bywater (more coming soon). Here, we did a wet application of tadelakt plaster, a traditional Moroccan technique and material use. It is not only beautiful, with a gorgeous, silky motion, but it is also durable, mold resistant, and waterproof. This comes from not only the specific use of materials but also the skilled timing needed to deliver the end-result. The bathroom walls were done using a dry application of tadelakt, where we expertly matched the color across the wet and dry areas, giving the entire area an organic and cohesive look.
Sylvia T Designs is the premier decorative arts firm in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and North Gulf Coast region. We are also the only true tadelakt artisan in the area. If you want the real deal, let us know how we can make your space a work of art! To all of our friends in the US, have a peaceful and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinish #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #plaster #plasterfinish #plasterfinishes #limeplaster #tadelakt #venetianplaster #decorativeplaster #neworleanshistory #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #Bywater #NOLA
Sylvia Thompson-Dias, Master Artisan and Owner of Sylvia T Designs, was recently named a “2022 Design Master” by New Orleans Homes Magazine! This honor is given to a single professional in each of a few design categories. Sylvia was recognized in “Decorative Finishes.” Design Masters are selected based on their expertise, quality of work, and longevity as a leader in their field, among other criteria.
Pictured here, Sylvia receives her award from @neworleanshomesmag editor, Melanie Warner Spencer. To see more on this special recognition, check out our website – the link is in our bio. Thanks very much to New Orleans Homes Magazine for honoring Sylvia and our team of professional artisans. Thanks, too, for hosting us at the terrific awards event! As always, let us know how we can make your space a “Design Master” work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinisher #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #plaster #tadelakt #venetianplaster #nola #businesswoman #businesswomen #womeninbusiness #womenwhohustle #neworleans #nolaphotoguild #neworleanshistory #decorativeplaster #handpainted #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola
Sylvia T Designs is proud to be a firm dedicated to building careers for females in the decorative arts! New team members start as an “Artisan Assistant.” Then, after demonstrating certain skills, knowledge, and consistent quality of work, they are eligible for promotion to “Artisan Apprentice.” From there, after continued success, increased product knowledge, expanded technique, and jobsite management ability, team members can achieve the title of full “Artisan.” This process is important in building confidence and competent, talented artisans. It is also a firm nod to the time-honored trades that built New Orleans and so many other areas around our region. Sylvia T Designs is always “Honoring Tradition and Progress” on every project, every day!
Pictured is our all-female artisan applicator team at Sylvia T Designs (from left) – Sylvia Thompson-Dias, Master Artisan and Owner, Tess Riehlmann, Artisan Apprentice, and Jess Pottker, Artisan. This was from a recent Preservation Resource Center NOLA event – “Beams and Brews.”
Visit SylviaTDesigns.com and check out our “About” page to learn more about our fabulous artisan crew!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinisher #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #plaster #tadelakt #venetianplaster #nola #businesswoman #businesswomen #womeninbusiness #womenwhohustle #neworleans #nolaphotoguild #neworleanshistory #decorativeplaster #handpainted #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola
Gilding takes steady hands and sharp eyes! Our professional team of artisans is the region’s expert for this stunning decorative arts technique. Whether you’re looking to simply accent a frame or some furniture or are looking for a striking centerpiece in your space, such as a ceiling – gold leaf, silver leaf, or metallic leaf – might be just what you are looking for!
Pictured here is a new construction residential dining room in Old Metairie where we gold leafed the entirety of the ceiling bays. Let us know how we can make your space a gilded work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #masterartisan #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinisher #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiordecor #interiors #NOLA #NewOrleans #Uptown #goldleaf #gilding #gildingart #handpainted #diningroom #ceiling #goldleafceiling #residential #newconstruction #southernliving #oldmetairie
Here is another look at a terrific project we completed recently in a renovated Baton Rouge residence. We delivered beautiful tadelakt plaster finishes in the living room and adjacent open kitchen. We applied the plaster to the space’s walls, stove hood, and the gorgeous scalloped fireplace surround (which takes great skill and experience to execute properly, BTW)! The plaster ties the space together beautifully and its natural, organic feel complements the overall look including the reclaimed wood in the dining area and the clean, contemporary feel of the rooms.
Sylvia T Designs is the only true tadelakt artisan in the region! We use only artisan and authentic materials and technique. Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #BatonRouge #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #tadelakt #limeplaster #decorativeplaster #functionalplaster #indoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #plastering #wallfinish #kitchen #kitchenremodel #residential #renovation #stovehood #fireplace #fireplacesurround
For over 25 years, Sylvia T Designs has been bringing beautiful finishes to the New Orleans area. These days, we are the premier decorative arts firm in the Gulf Coast region. Delivering projects large and small, commercial or residential, we are trusted to work in new construction as well as in historic spaces. We bring an unparalleled level of skill, artistry, and product knowledge.
Here is a look at one of our current projects – a complete renovation of an historic Creole cottage in the French Quarter. We are producing numerous elements in the residence including a beautiful Marmorino Venetian plaster finish on the walls and ceilings of the parlor. In this shot, we are applying the base coat to the ceiling. Much more on this element and the overall project coming! Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinish #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #plaster #plasterfinish #plasterfinishes #limeplaster #marmorino #venetianplaster #decorativeplaster #neworleanshistory #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolaarchitecture #preservenola #FrenchQuarter #NOLA