
@SylviaTDesigns
Get our eNews
Keep up with Sylvia T Designs!
@SylviaTDesigns
@SylviaTDesigns
If you regularly follow us, you always hear us say that a plaster stove hood is a great way to add some flare to your kitchen without breaking the bank! It adds value to your kitchen and, as we know, that adds value to your home, too! It complements wood, tile, stone, and, of course, more plaster!
Here, in this Uptown New Orleans home, we delivered this box stove hood with a gorgeous Marmorino Medium plaster finish. We did a custom color match (because that’s also our jam) to the spec’d trim color. The subtle movement of the plaster is a great accent with the bold counter tops, cabinets, and tiled wall backsplash. Also, the hood is directly across from the fireplace we did (see our most recent fireplace post for more!) in the living area of the open space design. Essentially, providing two lovely plaster “bookends” in the residence!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier decorative and functional plaster and decorative arts firm. Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
Apr 7

If you regularly follow us, you always hear us say that a plaster stove hood is a great way to add some flare to your kitchen without breaking the bank! It adds value to your kitchen and, as we know, that adds value to your home, too! It complements wood, tile, stone, and, of course, more plaster!
Here, in this Uptown New Orleans home, we delivered this box stove hood with a gorgeous Marmorino Medium plaster finish. We did a custom color match (because that’s also our jam) to the spec’d trim color. The subtle movement of the plaster is a great accent with the bold counter tops, cabinets, and tiled wall backsplash. Also, the hood is directly across from the fireplace we did (see our most recent fireplace post for more!) in the living area of the open space design. Essentially, providing two lovely plaster “bookends” in the residence!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier decorative and functional plaster and decorative arts firm. Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
Once again, we here at Sylvia T Designs are proud to be a sponsor of the Preservation Resource Center New Orleans (PRC NOLA) Spring Home Tour! This year, it features homes in the Algiers Point neighborhood. It is a great event that not only allows you to check out some great homes but also supports our friends at PRC NOLA! These private residences graciously open up for you to see terrific design and architecture!
The event takes place this Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6. To see more about the event and get tickets, visit their website here - https://prcno.org/spring-home-tour/
We’ll be our and about on Saturday. Say hello if you see us! Hope to see you there!
Apr 4

Once again, we here at Sylvia T Designs are proud to be a sponsor of the Preservation Resource Center New Orleans (PRC NOLA) Spring Home Tour! This year, it features homes in the Algiers Point neighborhood. It is a great event that not only allows you to check out some great homes but also supports our friends at PRC NOLA! These private residences graciously open up for you to see terrific design and architecture!
The event takes place this Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6. To see more about the event and get tickets, visit their website here - https://prcno.org/spring-home-tour/
We’ll be our and about on Saturday. Say hello if you see us! Hope to see you there!
Gussying up your fireplace is a great and cost-effective way to breathe new life into your space! We offer various functional and decorative materials – plasters, microcement, lime paint – and techniques that can do the job and achieve the aesthetic you are looking for!
Here, in this Uptown New Orleans residence, we delivered a terrific finish on the fireplace. The interior designer and client wanted to still see the existing brick shapes but also add a “pillowy” effect. We did a custom color lime paint finish that matched the trim paint. First, we applied a heavy grained plaster to soften the hard edges of the brick and mortar. Then, we applied the lime paint to the plaster creating the desired depth and feel. It’s very beautiful the way the natural lighting plays over the lime paint finish bringing the shadow effects!
Thanks to @mz.architecture for bringing us in on this great project!
We’ll have more on this project – the boxed stove hood – coming soon!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier decorative arts and plaster firm! Our product knowledge and application skills are unmatched in the region. Let us know your inspiration and the look you are trying to achieve, and we’ll get you there! Make your space a work of art!
If you are a professional applicator, you can acquire these materials and technical support from our sister business - @GulfCoastPlasterArtisans – exclusive distributor of Stucco Italiano and Topcret products.
Mar 20

Gussying up your fireplace is a great and cost-effective way to breathe new life into your space! We offer various functional and decorative materials – plasters, microcement, lime paint – and techniques that can do the job and achieve the aesthetic you are looking for!
Here, in this Uptown New Orleans residence, we delivered a terrific finish on the fireplace. The interior designer and client wanted to still see the existing brick shapes but also add a “pillowy” effect. We did a custom color lime paint finish that matched the trim paint. First, we applied a heavy grained plaster to soften the hard edges of the brick and mortar. Then, we applied the lime paint to the plaster creating the desired depth and feel. It’s very beautiful the way the natural lighting plays over the lime paint finish bringing the shadow effects!
Thanks to @mz.architecture for bringing us in on this great project!
We’ll have more on this project – the boxed stove hood – coming soon!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier decorative arts and plaster firm! Our product knowledge and application skills are unmatched in the region. Let us know your inspiration and the look you are trying to achieve, and we’ll get you there! Make your space a work of art!
If you are a professional applicator, you can acquire these materials and technical support from our sister business - @GulfCoastPlasterArtisans – exclusive distributor of Stucco Italiano and Topcret products.
Marmorino is a thing! It is a classic Venetian plaster that is timeless, never going out of style. It can cover a range of looks and feels and takes colors, from subtle to bold, so very well! Recently, we have fallen in love with Marmorino Coarse. Like its siblings, Marmorino Fine and Marmorino Medium, it is a beautiful lime plaster that shows wonderful movement, which can be soft, dramatic, or anything in-between. Marmorino Coarse is special in the way that the heavier grain reflects and refracts light – whether it be natural or artificial.
Here, we delivered two striking finishes in a private residence. They are in an adjoining office and music room. The space is both calming yet vibrant – the looks complement the instruments terrifically!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier decorative and functional plaster firm, also offering a full range of decorative arts services from microcement to gilding to murals to stencils and much more! We are color matching experts and can custom color match nearly anything, including colors from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Farrow and Ball.
Also, our sister business, Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans, is the US distributor for Stucco Italiano plasters and decorative arts products. Their line of plasters, including Marmorino Coarse is second-to-none in quality at an incredibly competitive price. If you are an architect, interior designer, contractor, or professional applicator, please see more at @GulfCoastPlasterArtisans.
Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
Jan 15

Marmorino is a thing! It is a classic Venetian plaster that is timeless, never going out of style. It can cover a range of looks and feels and takes colors, from subtle to bold, so very well! Recently, we have fallen in love with Marmorino Coarse. Like its siblings, Marmorino Fine and Marmorino Medium, it is a beautiful lime plaster that shows wonderful movement, which can be soft, dramatic, or anything in-between. Marmorino Coarse is special in the way that the heavier grain reflects and refracts light – whether it be natural or artificial.
Here, we delivered two striking finishes in a private residence. They are in an adjoining office and music room. The space is both calming yet vibrant – the looks complement the instruments terrifically!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier decorative and functional plaster firm, also offering a full range of decorative arts services from microcement to gilding to murals to stencils and much more! We are color matching experts and can custom color match nearly anything, including colors from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Farrow and Ball.
Also, our sister business, Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans, is the US distributor for Stucco Italiano plasters and decorative arts products. Their line of plasters, including Marmorino Coarse is second-to-none in quality at an incredibly competitive price. If you are an architect, interior designer, contractor, or professional applicator, please see more at @GulfCoastPlasterArtisans.
Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
Sylvia T Designs is proud to be a WBE certified woman-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)! Recently, the Women’s Business Enterprise Council South (WBECSouth) held their Annual Summit in New Orleans. Originally scheduled for September, it was postponed until this month due to Hurricane Francine. As they said, “Because a hurricane can’t stop this celebration of 30 years of service to women-owned business enterprises!”
Our owner and master artisan, Sylvia Thompson-Dias attended the event saying, “It was great to meet and network with so many talented female entrepreneurs from around the South region! It was very inspiring!”
Here at Sylvia T Designs, we are dedicated to building careers for females in the decorative arts. Being part of the WBENC family further helps us fulfill that mission! Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
Dec 13

Sylvia T Designs is proud to be a WBE certified woman-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)! Recently, the Women’s Business Enterprise Council South (WBECSouth) held their Annual Summit in New Orleans. Originally scheduled for September, it was postponed until this month due to Hurricane Francine. As they said, “Because a hurricane can’t stop this celebration of 30 years of service to women-owned business enterprises!”
Our owner and master artisan, Sylvia Thompson-Dias attended the event saying, “It was great to meet and network with so many talented female entrepreneurs from around the South region! It was very inspiring!”
Here at Sylvia T Designs, we are dedicated to building careers for females in the decorative arts. Being part of the WBENC family further helps us fulfill that mission! Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
We were thrilled to have the owner and founder of Stucco Italiano, Maestro Giovanni Polistena, in to pay us a visit for high-level training for our team and to work with us on executing our successful Venetian plaster workshop for professional applicators from around the US. This was done with our sister business, Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans. More coming soon on that front. We exclusively use and sell Stucco Italiano products - unparalleled in quality, breadth, and price. We`re able to deliver finishes and product that no one else can with the skill, expertise, and artistry you already know from Sylvia T Designs!
Nov 20

We were thrilled to have the owner and founder of Stucco Italiano, Maestro Giovanni Polistena, in to pay us a visit for high-level training for our team and to work with us on executing our successful Venetian plaster workshop for professional applicators from around the US. This was done with our sister business, Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans. More coming soon on that front. We exclusively use and sell Stucco Italiano products - unparalleled in quality, breadth, and price. We`re able to deliver finishes and product that no one else can with the skill, expertise, and artistry you already know from Sylvia T Designs!
Here’s a shot! Two master craftspeople – the best plasterer in the Gulf South, Sylvia Thompson-Dias of Sylvia T Designs, and one of the best plaster artisans and manufacturers on the planet, Maestro Giovanni Polistena of Stucco Italiano! Gianni was in town from Italy to do some high-level training with our team. Then, we worked together to deliver our highly successful first hands-on Venetian plaster training workshop for professional applicators through our sister business, Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans! Students came from around the country to increase their knowledge and skill. More on that coming very soon…
It was a terrific two weeks! The training our team did with Gianni just raised the bar on what we can do for your project – even more products and techniques that no one else in the region can deliver! At Sylvia T Designs, the Gulf South’s premier decorative arts and plaster firm, the best game in town just got better! Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
Nov 19

Here’s a shot! Two master craftspeople – the best plasterer in the Gulf South, Sylvia Thompson-Dias of Sylvia T Designs, and one of the best plaster artisans and manufacturers on the planet, Maestro Giovanni Polistena of Stucco Italiano! Gianni was in town from Italy to do some high-level training with our team. Then, we worked together to deliver our highly successful first hands-on Venetian plaster training workshop for professional applicators through our sister business, Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans! Students came from around the country to increase their knowledge and skill. More on that coming very soon…
It was a terrific two weeks! The training our team did with Gianni just raised the bar on what we can do for your project – even more products and techniques that no one else in the region can deliver! At Sylvia T Designs, the Gulf South’s premier decorative arts and plaster firm, the best game in town just got better! Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
Check out this terrific project – a new retail space in the French Quarter of New Orleans. We delivered a modern, urban Beton Stucco plaster finish to the feature wall, lettered logo, and display tables. See our previous post for more! #plaster #plasterfinish #artisan #womeninbusiness #interiordesign #nola #GulfSouth
Nov 5

Check out this terrific project – a new retail space in the French Quarter of New Orleans. We delivered a modern, urban Beton Stucco plaster finish to the feature wall, lettered logo, and display tables. See our previous post for more! #plaster #plasterfinish #artisan #womeninbusiness #interiordesign #nola #GulfSouth
Here’s a look at a super cool project we recently completed for a new retail space in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans. The contemporary boutique is called “Sneaker Politics.” We used a special product, Benton Stucco, that is made up of hydraulic lime and cement. It is excellent for use in both interior and exterior areas. It allows for a wide range of possibilities, from urban inspired to industrial finishes like seen here.
We delivered the finishes to the stunning feature wall and four cubed display tables. The Beton Stucco is the perfect plaster to accentuate the slick, modern feel of Sneaker Politics. Like concrete, it is also very durable – ideal for a high-traffic and impact space like a retail location. However, unlike concrete, it can easily be applied to vertical and non-flat surfaces. This was critically important for the application on the display tables and the wonderful, CNC’ed lettered logo on the feature wall. The owner wanted the lettering to appear as if it is “bursting” from the feature wall and grab immediate attention. To be sure, it took great care and expertise to plaster the logo!
Thanks for our friends @monarchnola for bringing us in on this fun project!
Check out @sneakerpolitics in New Orleans at 226 Decatur St in the French Quarter, NOLA!
Sylvia T Designs can deliver your brand’s vision in commercial spaces, whether in an historic structure like this, new construction spots, or anything in between! Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
Nov 4

Here’s a look at a super cool project we recently completed for a new retail space in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans. The contemporary boutique is called “Sneaker Politics.” We used a special product, Benton Stucco, that is made up of hydraulic lime and cement. It is excellent for use in both interior and exterior areas. It allows for a wide range of possibilities, from urban inspired to industrial finishes like seen here.
We delivered the finishes to the stunning feature wall and four cubed display tables. The Beton Stucco is the perfect plaster to accentuate the slick, modern feel of Sneaker Politics. Like concrete, it is also very durable – ideal for a high-traffic and impact space like a retail location. However, unlike concrete, it can easily be applied to vertical and non-flat surfaces. This was critically important for the application on the display tables and the wonderful, CNC’ed lettered logo on the feature wall. The owner wanted the lettering to appear as if it is “bursting” from the feature wall and grab immediate attention. To be sure, it took great care and expertise to plaster the logo!
Thanks for our friends @monarchnola for bringing us in on this fun project!
Check out @sneakerpolitics in New Orleans at 226 Decatur St in the French Quarter, NOLA!
Sylvia T Designs can deliver your brand’s vision in commercial spaces, whether in an historic structure like this, new construction spots, or anything in between! Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
We were brought in to do two cool plaster features in this new construction residence located in Covington on the Northshore of New Orleans. First, we delivered the striking feature wall in the primary bathroom. We used Marmorino medium lime plaster with a custom mixed color. The lovely subtle movement shows really well even though it’s lighter in color. This is due, in large part, to the terrific natural light in the space! It also frames the freestanding tub wonderfully! We finished it off with a waterproof protective coating to ensure its durability in a moist environment.
Next, we applied a dry application of Tadelakt plaster, a traditional Moroccan technique, to the kitchen hood enclosure. It also boasts a custom mixed color. Tadelakt’s inherent organic look and movement fits the space to a tee with its reclaimed ceiling beams and wood doors! It’s the perfect choice to accentuate the overall aesthetic of the room!
It was great to work with our friends @studiomv, @avconstruct_ and @harrisoncustomhomes on this outstanding project!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier functional and decorative plaster artisan firm. Our years of experience bring you unparalleled artistry and product knowledge. Just let us know your project’s vision. We’ll steer you in the right direction and make your space a work of art!
Oct 30

We were brought in to do two cool plaster features in this new construction residence located in Covington on the Northshore of New Orleans. First, we delivered the striking feature wall in the primary bathroom. We used Marmorino medium lime plaster with a custom mixed color. The lovely subtle movement shows really well even though it’s lighter in color. This is due, in large part, to the terrific natural light in the space! It also frames the freestanding tub wonderfully! We finished it off with a waterproof protective coating to ensure its durability in a moist environment.
Next, we applied a dry application of Tadelakt plaster, a traditional Moroccan technique, to the kitchen hood enclosure. It also boasts a custom mixed color. Tadelakt’s inherent organic look and movement fits the space to a tee with its reclaimed ceiling beams and wood doors! It’s the perfect choice to accentuate the overall aesthetic of the room!
It was great to work with our friends @studiomv, @avconstruct_ and @harrisoncustomhomes on this outstanding project!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier functional and decorative plaster artisan firm. Our years of experience bring you unparalleled artistry and product knowledge. Just let us know your project’s vision. We’ll steer you in the right direction and make your space a work of art!
For one of our upcoming projects, our client wanted a steel-like smokey metallic look based on an inspiration image he sent us. Fortunately, we also had this lovely muse available to us for even more inspiration! We chose our Copper Marmorino Metallic with a little extra touch to achieve the desired look. This plaster finish will grace a two-story fireplace wall in a new construction New Orleans residence in Uptown. Stay tuned…
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier full-service decorative arts and plaster firm. Let us know your vision and share your inspiration with us – we’ll make your space a work of art!
Oct 25

For one of our upcoming projects, our client wanted a steel-like smokey metallic look based on an inspiration image he sent us. Fortunately, we also had this lovely muse available to us for even more inspiration! We chose our Copper Marmorino Metallic with a little extra touch to achieve the desired look. This plaster finish will grace a two-story fireplace wall in a new construction New Orleans residence in Uptown. Stay tuned…
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier full-service decorative arts and plaster firm. Let us know your vision and share your inspiration with us – we’ll make your space a work of art!
A very happy birthday to our dear team/fam member, Tess! We’ve been lucky enough to have her with us for a few years now! She has developed into an extremely talented artisan, making full “Artisan” a bit over a year ago. She has also stepped into the role of being our lead Colorist – she can match, mix, and blend any color needed at any time for any job! It’s a critical part of our business and one that is unmatched by others in our field, to be sure!
Tess, a NOLA native, is a great person and friend to everyone in the company! We hope you join us in wishing Tess a Happy b-day!
Love,
The Sylvia T Designs Team/Fam
Sep 20

A very happy birthday to our dear team/fam member, Tess! We’ve been lucky enough to have her with us for a few years now! She has developed into an extremely talented artisan, making full “Artisan” a bit over a year ago. She has also stepped into the role of being our lead Colorist – she can match, mix, and blend any color needed at any time for any job! It’s a critical part of our business and one that is unmatched by others in our field, to be sure!
Tess, a NOLA native, is a great person and friend to everyone in the company! We hope you join us in wishing Tess a Happy b-day!
Love,
The Sylvia T Designs Team/Fam