@SylviaTDesigns
This is the last of the elements we delivered in this new construction residential project in Covington, just north of New Orleans. This is the living room fireplace (you can see our previous posts on the wine room’s open fireplace as well as the stairwell feature wall and art niche.)
We used Marmorino Fine, a classic Venetian plaster. This is the finest grain of Marmorino that offers gorgeous movement and a lovely, polished sheen. The homeowner wanted something tending towards a deep black tone. We custom color matched the plaster to Benjamin Moore “Willow.” This is a brown toned black – which fits the bill perfectly showing the desired movement and contrast. We achieved the look, in part, by applying tinted beeswax. The overall look of the fireplace complements the home’s modern look and provides a striking distinction from the space’s lighter tones. It also shows wonderfully whether in the room’s abundant daytime natural light or in darker times of day in artificial light.
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier plaster artisan firm! Whether you are looking for a focused centerpiece element in your space, like a fireplace or stove hood, or are seeking to make a statement with stunning plastered walls and ceilings throughout, let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
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Here’s a bit more from a recent project in Covington in the Greater New Orleans Area (see our previous post of the home’s wine room open fireplace). In this part of the residence, we delivered two beautiful plaster finishes using Marmorino Fine – a classic Venetian plaster.
The two elements are the feature wall located on the landing of the split stairwell and an artwork niche leading up to the stairs. With both, we did a custom color match of Benjamin Moore “Coastal Fog.” The plaster exhibits soft highs and lows, boasting a soft gloss sheen. The stairwell’s feature wall plays wonderfully with the bursting natural light that comes through the large window. In the artwork niche, the plaster perfectly complements the feature wall and frames the artwork terrifically. It all fits marvelously with the home’s modern look and feel! We’ll have one more element from this project to share – the living room fireplace. Stay tuned!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s decorative and functional plaster artisan expert! Let us know your project’s vision and we’ll guide you to the right materials and techniques to make your space a work of art!
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Gilding (or “leafing”) is a timeless technique that adds elegance to any space – whether it’s an entire ceiling as the centerpiece of the room or merely accents on shelving, furniture, or even signage! We only use top quality gold and silver leaf. These are premium and professional materials that require an artisan’s hands to achieve success. The technique requires a keen eye and great teamwork to deliver effectively. The result is durable, lasting beauty!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier full-service decorative arts and plaster firm. We are the region’s top-level gilding experts! Let us know how we can add a touch of this refined style to your home or business and make your space a work of art!
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Here’s a look at the sultry Three Maries Jazz Club located in the historic Omni Royal Orleans Hotel in the heart of the French Quarter! This is the second phase of three of our work at the hotel. Here, we delivered a gorgeous plaster finish on the main stage wall. Like the first phase (see our previous post showcasing the Grand Ballroom Domes), we used a special lime plaster called “Seta.” It means silk in Italian and the material, which contains milled marble, plays wonderfully with light!
We custom color matched to a spec’d color for the project. Also, importantly, our highly skilled artisan team troweled in a specific way giving the plaster a bit more texture than usual. This was done to ensure the plaster stands out behind the woodwork and greatly enhances its playfulness with the stage lighting.
If you are an interior designer, architect, contractor, or applicator interested in learning more about this plaster and using it on your projects, reach out to our sister business - @gulfcoastplasterartisans.
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier decorative and functional plaster and full-service decorative arts firm. We leverage our unmatched skill, artistry, and product knowledge to bring your project’s vision to life – making your space a work of art!
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Here is part of a terrific project where we delivered several elements to a residence in the town of Covington north of New Orleans. The home has a lovely wine room that they wanted showcased by bordering it and their dining room with an open EcoSmart fireplace that centers the space. We applied plaster to the “floating” wall above the fireplace as well as the surround below it. We used Marmorino Fine to really show the soft highs and lows of the color tone – a custom color match to Benjamin Moore “Coastal Fog.” The look, with its gorgeous soft gloss sheen, demonstrates lovely depth for a dramatic effect that enhances the look of the wine room and complements their artwork perfectly.
Thanks to @studiomv for including us in this wonderful project! More on the other elements coming soon!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier plaster and decorative arts firm with years of experience. We bring your project unparalleled artistry, product knowledge, and artisan level materials unlike anyone else in the region. Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
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We are often reminded of the tremendous opportunity we have working in special spaces, particularly here in our homebase of New Orleans! This resonates even more with us during Carnival Season when we celebrate the rich culture of the city and region on so many levels. It gives us a deep sense of pride and gratitude to be entrusted with such work!
Currently, we are doing artwork restoration at the Tremé’s St. Augustine Church – thought to be the oldest Black Catholic parish in the United States, first established in 1841 by free persons of color. Its important role in the city, region, and nation’s history is unmistakable. We will have much more to share on this amazing project as well as a similar one we recently completed at another New Orleans historic church – St. Raymond and St. Leo the Great Catholic Church.
Wherever we are working, it is always an honor and a privilege to do so – whether in an historic space or, simply, in your special space! Happy Mardi Gras, You All!
~ The Sylvia T Designs Team
SylviaTDesigns.com
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Last week, we wrapped up another highly successful hands-on, in-person certification workshop! This time it was our Introduction to Microcement Workshop! We had a terrific group hailing from around the country. Attendees came away from the 3-day training session with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully execute microcement projects in their neck of the woods.
We worked with various microcement materials, took a deep dive into the critical substrate requirements, and practiced on sample boards, a model wall (including inside and outside corners), and a simulated floor setup.
Microcement has been popular in Europe for some time and is rapidly gaining traction in the US these days! It is highly durable, stain and moisture resistant, and can produce beautiful, varied looks and feels. It is a troweled artisan applied material (not poured!) and is suitable for both wet and dry applications. It is great in spaces where durability is a must, but without sacrificing beautiful aesthetics! Think – kitchens (indoor and outdoor), showers, bathrooms, commercial spaces (it’s terrific for hospitality spots!), wet/dry areas, bar counters and façades, backsplashes, fireplaces, and much more!
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans is your go-to distributor and educator for real microcement (there are a lot of “pretenders” out there, to be sure!) And, our sister business, @sylviatdesigns, is the South’s leading applicator of this special material. If you are an applicator, interior designer, architect, general contractor, or a home or business owner interested in learning more about microcement, reach out to us!
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans
Premium Materials – Master Artisans
Application – Distribution – Training
Learn more about our workshops - link in bio!
Apr 3
What a great last day – 4 of 4 – to wrap things up! Thanks to this terrific group, who are all now certified decorative plasterers, and our amazing team, the vibe was great and what was learned and absorbed was off the charts! We even had time for the students to work on a little “lagniappe” (as we say down here in New Orleans) project of their own for something "extra" allowing them to spread their wings (more on that soon)!
These fantastic artisans are now certified by Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans and Stucco Italiano from our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop where they learned the four classic Venetian plasters – Grassello and the three grains of Marmorino (fine, medium, and coarse), as well as lime paint. They are ready to tackle your next plaster project!
Interested in joining their ranks and upping your plaster game? Join us for our hands-on certification courses where you will learn from our talented artisan team and develop skills and experience that you can’t gather from online courses or videos, plain and simple! Plus, you’ll become a recommended applicator for project inquiries in your area! Link in Bio for more!
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans – Premium Materials – Master Artisans
Application – Distribution – Training
Mar 6
Here on Day 3 of 4 of our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop, we are working on two critical skills! The first is learning the correct method needed for applying plaster to full-size vertical surfaces – not just on sample boards, either laid flat or hung vertically. The other is gaining experience and developing the proper troweling technique for plastering properly on inside and outside corners.
That being said, this group is on top of it and taking to things like a fish to water! No doubt about it, we’ve got a talented set of students here who will be ready to handle your next decorative Venetian plaster project!
There is no substitute for learning in a hands-on, in-person environment from our trained artisan team to develop the necessary skills, techniques, and product knowledge to operate at a professional plasterer level! Learn more about our hands-on, in-person plaster and microcement workshops and take the next step! Link in Bio.
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans – Premium Materials – Master Artisans
Application – Distribution – Training
Mar 4
Everybody crushed it when we really got after it on Day 2 of our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop! It’s amazing to see the transformation and growth on the second day, especially with such talented and motivated students!
Here, after watching a demo application from our artisan team, the attendees are applying the second coat of three of Marmorino Coarse (we decided to use a fun, vibrant color!) Part of the lesson learned here is about understanding proper drying times between layers – which vary by what type of plaster being used and ambient environmental conditions – how to tell, and when to move on to the next layer. After the third layer, compression, and drying, the plaster will be a deeper color showing beautiful movement!
Want to up your plaster game? As the only certified trainers in the US for Stucco Italiano plasters and decorative arts materials, come pay us a visit in the Big Easy (or we can come to you!) and learn the right way to apply and utilize these authentic artisanal products – the real deal in lime plaster – produced by a family run business in Italy! Link in Bio…
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans – Premium Materials – Master Artisans
Application – Distribution – Training
Mar 3
We just wrapped up Day 1 of our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop training budding artisans to level-up their plaster game! We’re very happy to have such a terrific, enthusiastic group! Looking forward to Day 2 of 4 tomorrow!
This certified training, offered in concert with our friends at Stucco Italiano, covers the four classic Venetian plasters and lime paint. In our extensive experience through our sister business, Sylvia T Designs, the Gulf Coast’s premier decorative arts firm, knowing these materials will allow our attendees to meet 80-90% of the decorative plaster projects they encounter! They are learning the materials, proper tool technique and management, substrate requirements, understanding pricing, and much, much more!
We offer this training twice a year at our shop in New Orleans (Fall 2026 dates coming soon!) but we can also do so for groups either here in NOLA or at your place on demand! Learn more about this workshop and others – link in bio!
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans – Premium Materials – Master Artisans
Application – Distribution - Training
Mar 2
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans, powered by Sylvia T Designs, is the only US-based certified trainer of Stucco Italiano plasters and decorative arts products. We are their distributor serving the US and Canada. We host multiday hands-on, in-person workshops in New Orleans where you can get certified in these materials and become a recommended applicator. Can’t make it to NOLA? No problem! We can pay a visit to train your team wherever you are! We were recently in Seattle conducting our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop for PCI Northwest. Owner and master artisan, Sylvia Thompson-Dias, led the training, which covers the four classic Venetian plasters and lime paint. Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans – Premium Materials – Master Artisans.
#plaster #decorativeplaster #functionalplaster #venetianplaster #grassello marmorino limepaint training
Feb 6
If you’ve been paying attention, Microcement is quickly gaining popularity here in the US! Already very popular in Europe and widely used in both commercial and residential spaces, we’re seeing a significant increase in projects and inquiries regarding this special material.
Our Introduction to Microcement Workshop is coming March 24-26 here in New Orleans! This hands-on, multi-day workshop will help you stay ahead of the curve and learn about this artisan applied material that is ideal in both wet and dry applications and high-contact, high-traffic areas. It’s both stain and moisture resistant and is ideal in areas that require durability with an artisan applied, hand-troweled look. There are so many possibilities – bar tops and fronts, outdoor and indoor kitchens, pool houses, backsplashes, stove hoods, fireplaces, floors, walls, ceilings, and much more! We will practice proper application and take a deep dive into Microcement’s specific substrate needs.
Completion of the workshop will lead to certification through us, Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans, and Topcret Microcement out of Barcelona, Spain. Space is extremely limited! We are also hosting two upcoming plaster workshops. We offer discounts on multiple workshop bundles. Link in bio for more and feel free to email us at info@gulfcoastplasterartisans.com.
We hope to see you down here in the Big Easy for some Microcement fun soon!
Jan 30
Hey All! Our “Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop” is nearly sold out with just a very few spots remaining. Also, our “Introduction to Microcement Workshop” and “Advanced Functional Plaster Workshop” are also filling up. Don’t miss your chance to learn from our artisan team and become certified through Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans and either Stucco Italiano or Topcret Microcement!
In addition to learning from the best during our multi-day, hands-on, and in-person workshops, your certification means you’re on our recommended installer list for potential clients including architects, interior designers, general contractors, and individuals in your area looking for qualified applicators. We offer discounts for multiple workshops and corporate rates for lodging here in New Orleans, too!
Come see us down in the Big Easy and level-up your plaster and microcement game! Link in Bio!
Jan 21
If you didn’t know, registration is now open for our Spring 2026 Workshop Series! Please note that space is extremely limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis with spots already filling up! Our first one is the place to start if you are looking to learn the proper techniques and approaches for classic Venetian plasters!
Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop (March 2-5) – This first level course will give you what you need to know about decorative lime plaster applications and the very popular lime paint! We will cover the four classic Venetian Plasters – Grassello and the three grains of Marmorino (fine, medium, and coarse) along with lime paint. A critical part of the workshop will be taking a serious look at proper substrate requirements. We’ll also talk about understanding pricing and promoting these materials for your projects. Learning these plasters and lime paint will set you up to be ready for most decorative projects you encounter.
To see more about this workshop as well as our other two coming in the spring, Introduction to Microcement and Advanced Functional Plaster, visit our “Education and Support” page (link in bio.) You will also find info on how to register along with discounted pricing for multiple workshops and returning students!
We hope to host you down here in the Big Easy in Spring ’26!
Dec 4
Registration is now open for our Spring 2026 Workshops! Space is extremely limited!
Hands-On Venetian Plaster (March 2-5) – This 1st course will give you what you need to know about decorative lime plaster applications and the ever-increasing in popularity, lime paint! We will cover the four classic Venetian Plasters – Grassello and the three grains of Marmorino plus lime paint. Upon completion, you will be able to tackle most of the decorative plaster projects you will encounter!
Introduction to Microcement (March 24-26) – Microcement is very popular in Europe and is becoming more so here in the US! Stay ahead of the curve and learn about this artisan applied material that is ideal in both wet and dry applications and high-contact, high-traffic areas. It’s both stain and moisture resistant and is perfect in both residential and commercial spaces.
Advanced Functional Plaster (May 18-21) – The demand for plaster in areas that need durability and functionality is ever-increasing. Think showers, exteriors, countertops, commercial spaces, floors, and much more. This 2nd workshop will feature various materials, including the immensely popular Tadelakt, that meet this demand! Completion of our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop or extensive, demonstrable experience with lime plaster application is required for this course.
With all of our workshops, you will gain the experience and skill necessary to confidently tackle projects using these materials and understanding critical substrate needs. You will produce numerous samples that you can share with clients. We will discuss the economics and pricing of these materials. Materials and tools are included. Please know that these workshops are for professional applicators with some experience or education in similar or related fields. Completion results in certification through GCPA and Stucco Italiano (Plasters) or Topcret (Microcement.)
For full details, how to register via email, pricing (with bundle and returning student discounts), complete course descriptions, and more, visit https://gulfcoastplasterartisans.com/education-and-support/. We hope to see you down here in the Big Easy next Spring!
Nov 22
Hey, You All! Just a quick heads-up…
We will be placing our last Stucco Italiano plaster and related materials order for the year early next week. It’s the last chance to lock in our current (March 2025) pricing! If there is anything that you’ve had your eye on or want to stock up on with lower pricing, let us know! Orders must be received by close of business Monday, November 24 (3:30pm Central). You can email us at info@gulfcoastplasterartisans.com. Thanks!
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans is the US distributor of Stucco Italiano and the Gulf South (and points beyond) distributor for Topcret Microcement. We deliver products created by artisans for artisans!
Application ~ Distribution ~ Training
Nov 20
Save the dates! Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans is proud to announce our Spring 2026 workshop dates! Our highly successful training series is back and we’re ready to help you level up your plaster and microcement game. These multi-day workshops result in professional certifications and are taught by our expert team of highly skilled artisan applicators here in New Orleans!
We will be offering our Hands-On Venetian Plaster, Advanced Functional Plaster, and Introduction to Microcement workshops. These workshops are open to professional applicators (with some direct experience or education in similar or adjacent fields) wanting to learn more about high-level plaster and microcement materials and their use. Resulting certifications are through Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans along with our partners at Stucco Italiano and Topcret Microcement, global leaders in the production of decorative and functional plasters and microcement.
Space is extremely limited for each. Registration will be open next week. We are offering discounts for workshop bundles and for returning students. See full descriptions, pricing, requirements, and additional information on our “Education & Support” page. The link is in our bio.
We hope to host you down here in the Big Easy next Spring! More soon…
Nov 13