@SylviaTDesigns
Lime paint is an in-demand look these days and here at Sylvia T Designs, we’re your experts on it! Sometimes referred to as “lime wash,” it delivers a beautiful “brushed” look that can be both subtle yet welcoming and cozy! It has a softness that is generally not found in other modern paints. One thing that lime paint is not is a “cheaper alternative” to plaster – we’ve been hearing that floating around in certain circles lately. It is its own unique thing bringing a unique aesthetic – namely its organic brushed look. It is suitable for a wide range of interior and exterior settings, from historic buildings and rural environments to modern, minimalistic spaces.
Pictured here is a recent project on Magazine Street in Uptown, New Orleans – in a high-end clothing boutique. The client wanted a subtle, pillowy effect that has a comfortable and clean feel allowing the clothing and accessories to shine. We applied the custom-colored lime paint on the walls as well as the merchandise shelving. The abundant natural light that comes through the large windows allows the paint to glow while the light fixtures and shelf lighting create great shadows on the lime paint adding to its exquisite depth.
Thanks to @hivecompanies and @reformation for the terrific project!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier decorative arts and plaster including being the region’s lime paint experts! Our expertise and product knowledge are unmatched. Reach out to us to see if beautiful lime paint might be right for your project and let us make your space a work of art!
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It’s been a minute! We have so busy and have so much to catch you up on these days! Lots of great projects (and more) including the major renovation at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel in the French Quarter, the historic Gallier House Museum – also in the Quarter, New Orleans’ St. Raymond and St. Leo The Great Church, the AIG Corporate Offices in Atlanta, all along with numerous residential and commercial spaces around New Orleans and points beyond! We also conducted a certification plaster training in Seattle through our sister business, Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans and, also through GCPA, we just announced our Spring 2026 Workshop Training schedule!
Pictured here on Royal St of the French Quarter, Master Artisan and Owner, Sylvia Thompson, shares the sample we created for the exterior façade of the Gallier House Museum project.
Much more on all this coming soon – stay tuned! Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier decorative arts and plaster firm. Our artistry, technique, and product knowledge is unmatched! Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
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An exciting project in a newly opened New Orleans restaurant, Spicy Mango! We delivered both the application and design of the space’s key areas. The owner wanted a “Tulum-like” look with a lot of consistent color use. We created a custom color match to a specific “crème caramel” tone. A critical concept was creating some variety and interest while working with one primary color tone in the main dining/bar area. So, we employed different textures and looks using plasters, paint, and lighting (based around that tone) to create a dynamic vibe! More…
Main Bar – Everything is custom color matched to the primary tone. It’s a lovely Marmorino Medium plaster on the walls and back bar. The bar top and front utilized Pastellone, a beautiful and durable plaster. The top is finished smooth while the front has a specialized vertical notched application. We coordinated the design of the bar including bringing in walnut wood for the back bar top. Creatively, we used the left-over pieces of wood to create a funky base to the bar front!
Main Dining Area – The feature wall is a special Travertino plaster finish using three custom colors blended together. This process takes great skill and timing to execute. The remaining exposed brick walls are lime paint bringing a different sheen from the plaster. We also glazed the ceiling tiles, selected the wall sconces, and bar pendant lighting.
Restrooms – Something different! The sap green bathroom is microcement showing lovely motion with a modern look. This special material (we’re the only ones in the region that offer true Microcement application) offers exceptional durability as well as stain and moisture resistance. The burnt rose bathroom uses a custom color Venetian Façade plaster, also a durable and lovely material. These material selections are critical, as the restrooms are located off the open courtyard and are subjected to considerable humidity.
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier decorative arts firm delivering unmatched skill and artistry. We utilize various materials and techniques, both decorative and functional, which are unique to us in this region! Let us know how we can make your space a work of art!
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Being based in New Orleans and having this special place be the location for much of our project work, we often don’t “name names.” That’s how we roll here. But since this is now out in the universe, here you go!
Our work was recently featured by Homeworthy who toured Amy Schumer’s New Orleans home. We delivered extensive work throughout the home touching every interior space. We brought our exceptional artistry and product knowledge to the project with wonderful results!
We did the plaster and decorative work in Amy’s home – her and her husband Chris were lovely people to work with, by the way – throughout this special French Quarter Creole Cottage. We did the plaster on the walls and ceilings in all the interior spaces, the painting of the ceiling medallions, the foyer’s flamingo mural, the powder room’s mural and texturing highlighting their chosen tiles and other elements, and the entire primary bath in tadelakt – including the tub!
Check out the home tour by Homeworthy here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJm0h-ZIAuY
We were proud and honored to be a part of this project and bring so much to the table thanks to our friends at Williams Architects and, of course, Amy and Chris for trusting us with their lovely NOLA home!
See more on the specific elements on our website highlighting the different spaces in the residence. Link is here:
sylviatdesigns.com/news-projects/homeworthy-home-tour-amy-schumers-french-quarter-creole-cottage/
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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!
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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!
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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
That’s a wrap! We just finished up our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop at our New Orleans shop yesterday! What a talented, amazing, and lovely group of humans we had from around the country! The enthusiasm and camaraderie were so contagious and uplifting! We came away so incredibly inspired by them! (Plus, they were all really good at Jazz Hands!🤣🤍)
Attendees completed an intensive four-day training covering Venetian plasters, appropriate techniques, proper substrate requirements, and much more. They are all now certified Venetian plaster installers from Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans and Stucco Italiano. We are honored to help them along their respective plaster journeys and know they will do great things – be on the lookout! We will be offering this workshop again in the fall – dates will be announced soon.
Congratulations to our wonderful attendees! More on this workshop coming soon… Have a great weekend, you all!
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans
Premium Materials ~ Master Artisans
The US distributor and certified trainers for Stucco Italiano plasters and decorative arts products.
May 16
We’re geared up, excited, and ready to rock with our sold-out Hands-On Venetian Plaster certification workshop kicking off tomorrow in our New Orleans shop space! We will be welcoming plasterers from all over the country to train on real-deal lime plasters!
We will cover Grasello and various forms of Marmorino. Attendees will also learn correct application techniques, color, and, critically, proper substrate. Upon completion, they will receive certification from Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans (GCPA) and Stucco Italiano. GCPA is the US distributor and certified trainer for Stucco Italiano – a world-class plaster and decorative arts manufacturer out of Italy.
Our workshop series is designed to give professional applicators the tools, knowledge, and skill needed to deliver top-quality plaster applications using the highest quality products. GCPA delivers these trainings in concert with our sister company, Sylvia T Designs, the Gulf South’s premier decorative arts and plaster firm, leveraging years of experience in decorative and functional plasters.
We can’t wait to host and train this next group of applicators and help then raise their plaster game to new heights! Stay tuned – more coming soon!
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans
Premium Materials ~ Master Artisans
May 11
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans is the exclusive US home to several unique plasters only produced by our friends Stucco Italiano – real lime plasters made by a family run business in Italy. Seta Plaster is one of those! Meaning “silk” in Italian, this special plaster truly resembles the luxurious fabric! It’s a one-of-a-kind decorative finish that combines a slightly rough, matte texture with a soft, iridescent effect. The pearlescent quality becomes visible when light hits the surface, creating a chiaroscuro and metallic effect that mimics the appearance of silk. This effect is achieved using fine-grained mica powders that are incorporated into the material.
The additional pictures show an entry way’s barrel vault ceiling in a New Orleans area residence. This gorgeous finish was delivered by our sister business, Sylvia T Designs, the Gulf South’s premier plaster and decorative arts firm. You can see how beautifully the light plays on the ceiling – both with its accent lighting on as well as with it off, showing stunning texture with both natural and artificial light.
If you are interested in offering your clients something special and truly distinctive, let us know and we will get you going with Seta Plaster!
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans – Premium Materials – Master Artisans.
Application – Distribution – Training
Apr 17
Marmorino Medium, a classic Venetian plaster, provides a timeless look that is comfortable in nearly any setting and will complement other materials in the space incredibly well! These days, at our sister business, Sylvia T Designs, the Gulf South’s premier plaster and decorative arts firm, it is probably the most popular plaster we have going. It loves walls, stove hoods, and more!
The look of Marmorino Medium is very satin-like. It can show a range of movement from subtle to somewhat bold. It also plays wonderfully with light given its medium grain. Check out the most recent stove hood post on @SylviaTDesigns for a good example.
If you are a plasterer or professional applicator, we will be teaching this extremely popular and beautiful material in our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop coming in mid-May here in New Orleans. We still have two spots left! Check out our Education and Support page on our website (link in bio) for full details and how to register.
Also, if you are spec’ing a job that calls for plaster, Marmorino Medium is always a great way to go! Reach out and we can get you setup with the material and expert application, if needed. We can also custom color match to Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Farrow and Ball, and just about anything else!
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans – Premium Materials – Master Artisans.
Application – Distribution – Training
Apr 8
Generally, there are two categories of plaster – decorative and functional. Though, there can be an “overlap” between the two. Decorative plaster, such as Venetian, is often used on walls and ceilings, for instance, and exhibits great beauty. It does “function” in a way, it breathes, adding to its lasting durability. Functional plaster usually refers to materials used in wet applications and high-contact areas. where enhanced durability and, often, stain and moisture resistance are needed. Think showers, baths, counter tops, pool houses, certain kitchen areas (indoor and outdoor), commercial spaces, and more. But functional plasters can also be quite beautiful themselves!
Pictured here is Beton Stucco, only available from Stucco Italiano. It delivers a modern, textured look. It is ideal for high-traffic, high-impact areas. It can be applied to interior and exterior walls, shelves, counters, and even furniture! It is popular in commercial spaces, offices, public buildings, and in residences seeking this progressive aesthetic.
In our Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans “Advanced Functional Plaster Workshop” in June, we’ll teach this great material, its application, and proper substrate. We are Stucco Italiano’s US distributor and official trainer. You can only get Beton Stucco here!
Also pictured in this post, you can see a contemporary retail space where our sister business, Sylvia T Designs, delivered a Beton Stucco finish in the French Quarter of NOLA. It is on the feature wall (blending perfectly with the concrete floor), the display tables, and even the raised logo!
For more about our Advanced Functional Plaster Workshop, its prerequisites, and how to register, check out our Education & Support page on our website, link in bio. It is open to experienced, professional plasterers and those who have completed our “Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop” (coming in May – discounts for both!)
If you’re an architect, interior designer, or contractor interested in spec’ing this unique plaster for your next project, let us know. Also, Sylvia T Designs is always available to bring our unparalleled product knowledge and application skill to any job!
Apr 3
Marmorino Fine, one of the classic Venetian Plasters, adds a touch of elegance to any space! This timeless plaster is equally at home in both traditional and modern settings. Applied by the right hands, it delivers a beautiful high gloss look. It can express lovely movement and handles a wide range of colors well.
In our “Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop,” coming to New Orleans in May, you will have the opportunity to learn this top-quality Stucco Italiano material – something that is sure to be a winner with your clients!
At Sylvia T Designs, the sister business of Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans, we have been loving and applying Marmorino Fine for years (and we would be happy to bring it to your space, too)! Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf South’s premier plaster and decorative arts firm.
If you are a professional applicator interested in learning more, visit our website’s Education and Support page (link in bio.) Also, if you are an architect, interior designer, or contractor, reach out to us to learn more about Stucco Italiano’s Marmorino Fine (and all the other great plasters and decorative arts products they make in Italy) and level-up your plaster game on your next project spec! By the way, we can custom color match plaster from just about anything and can easily match colors by Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Farrow & Ball.
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans – Premium Materials – Master Artisans.
Application – Distribution – Training
Mar 31
Seeking a modern twist on a classic plaster? Look no further than Marmorino Metallic! It blends the sleek, modern look of metallic with the timeless feel and aesthetic of Marmorino – one of the classic Venetian plasters. It is a very popular material marrying the two worlds of contemporary and traditional.
Here at Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans, we are proud to carry Stucco Italiano Marmorino Metallic. This family-owned, Italian-based manufacturer of real lime plasters and decorative arts materials is nothing short of world-class in quality all while remaining highly price competitive compared to other makers. If you are a professional applicator in the US looking to add this fabulous plaster to your repertoire, let us know and we’ll get you going! Additionally, this is one of the plasters we will cover in our upcoming practical plaster certification workshop, “Hands-On Venetian Plaster,” taking place at our shop in New Orleans this May. For full details and more on how to register, visit our website’s Education and Support page – link in bio.
Pictured here – this is a barrel vault ceiling our sister business, Sylvia T Designs, the Gulf South’s premier plaster and decorative arts firm, delivered in the primary bedroom’s walk-in closet of a New Orleans area residence using Marmorino Metallic. You can see in the three shots how it looks with various amounts of lighting, both natural and artificial. It gives off a lovely glow and demonstrates beautiful motion, giving a dramatic and elegant presence to the ceiling!
Mar 25
How often do you get plans for a job that simply spec “plaster” or, perhaps, “Venetian plaster?” It happens to us all the time at our sister business, Syvia T Designs! Of course, this can mean different things as far as the look and feel the client is really looking for! As a professional plaster applicator, it is critical you know your plasters – what they can and can’t achieve aesthetically and use that knowledge to guide your clients – be they architects, interior designers, contractors, or home or business owners!
Knowing your key Venetian plasters is a great place to start! In our upcoming Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop (May 12-15 in New Orleans), you will learn what you need to know – including proper substrate – to accomplish this. You will learn the three grains of Marmorino plaster – fine, medium, and coarse – as well as Grassello. Proficiency with these four will carry you a long way in the world of plaster! Please note – only two spots remain in the workshop – don’t miss out!
Pictured here – the vaunted and beautiful look of Grassello plaster from Stucco Italiano. This is the highest level of sheen due to the fineness of the grain. This is from a residential job we did at Sylvia T Designs in a high-end residence in the Four Seasons building here in New Orleans. Among other areas in the home, we did the walls, ceilings, and bays in the foyer and entry hall. You can see more on this job here - https://sylviatdesigns.com/news-projects/stunning-plaster-work-in-new-orleans-four-seasons-residence/
Come join us in the Big Easy to learn this look! As part of the workshop, you will generate numerous samples of these plasters that you can show prospective clients. Check out our Education and Support page on our website – link in bio – for more details and how to register!
Mar 17