Sylvia T. Designs is a full-service decorative arts firm experienced in delivering artistry, craftsmanship, and our clients’ vision for nearly 25 years in the New Orleans Metro Area.
We’re a native New Orleans firm with extensive experience in commercial, residential, and historical projects, both small and large-scale.
“Sylvia T. Designs has been honoring tradition and progress for nearly 25 years in the New Orleans area. 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
Restoring and Hand-Painting Historic Signage Four Stories Up!
After spending a lot of time four stories up, we’re back on the ground! We’ve completed the job for the Odyssey House, located in the former Bohn Bros. Ford building in New Orleans. It’s an historical spot where the original steel frame and much of the...
Custom and Classic Stencils and a Brief History of Stenciling
Hand-painting our custom stencil design at Longway Tavern in the French Quarter of New Orleans.One might argue that stencils and stenciling are the original form of the decorative arts. Dating back over 37 thousand years, Neanderthal cave art...
What is Today’s Decorative Artist?
Pictured above - Upstairs bar at Cavan Restaurant, Uptown, New Orleans. “You still doing ‘the’ faux finishes?” It’s something we hear a lot at Sylvia T Designs, having been in business for nearly 25 years. For many, faux finishing...
Wallpaper? Think Decoratively Painted Finishes Instead!
Searching for a great look that will bring your space to life and also avoid the pitfalls of wallpaper? A decoratively painted finish on your walls or ceiling is the answer! Wallcoverings (wallpaper) are often one dimensional. Even textured...
Sylvia T Designs – Specializing in a Wide-Range of Plaster Finishes, Products, and Techniques
Sylvia T Designs has been delivering beautiful and long-lasting plaster finishes for well-over 20 years. But, that doesn’t mean we have been resting on our laurels! We always strive to keep up with the latest trends, products, and techniques...
We can’t wait to get started on this new residential construction project in Kenner! We will be delivering a gorgeous metallic plaster finish to the 25-foot diameter dome and 7-foot rise in this spectacular house’s grand foyer. We will also be applying a dynamic finish to the upcoming iron railings on the dramatic stairwell, too! Stay tuned for more!
Sylvia T Designs is the New Orleans area’s premier native decorative arts firm! Whether residential or commercial, new or historic construction, or a large or small project, 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 #plaster #plasterfinish #plasterfinishes #metallicplaster #stairwell #decorativeplaster #decorativeplasterfinish #dome #newconstruction #foyer #handpainted #residential #nolarchitecture #NOLA #NewOrleans #Kenner #JeffersonParish
Here’s a shot of our latest Marmorino plaster application. It brings a beautiful light and airy feel to this residential pool house in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans. It’s a contemporary look that goes great with the natural light that pours in through the large glass doors looking out to the pool area. As it is a lime plaster, it is a great choice for use in a humid environment like a southeast Louisiana pool house!
Sylvia T Design’s is the premier native New Orleans decorative arts firm and the region’s decorative lime plaster expert! 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 #marmorino #plaster #plasterfinish #plasterfinishes #limeplaster #nola #showmeyournola #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #nolarchitecture #NewOrleans #NOLA #Lakeview
If you regularly follow us, you already know how much we love tadelakt plaster! It’s a special process utilizing a distinct Moroccan lime plaster technique. Not only is it beautiful, boasting great depth and organic movement, it’s also very practical! It can be used in both wet and dry spaces making it ideal for something like an all-over bathroom application – in the shower, the sink, the walls, the ceiling – the whole thing! It’s also great for other stuff such as pool houses, backsplashes, outdoor kitchens, and more.
In this shot, you can see a wet application in a New Orleans residential bathroom. It’s part of several elements we’re delivering on this historic renovation project. Check out the delicate lavender shades and flowing look! It takes a skilled artisan to deliver both an aesthetically pleasing and also highly functional tadelakt finish! Sylvia T Designs is the region’s one and only tadelakt expert. Learn more about this special plaster and how it might just be what you’re looking for to make your space a work of art! Just click the link in our bio…
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinish #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #tadelakt #limeplaster #indoorplaster #outdoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #plastering #wallfinish #bathroom #residential #renovation #restoration #nola #neworleans #nolaarchitecture #bywater
Following on from our last post (please see our profile!), here's a look at the finished product with this component of the job. We delivered a terrific lime plaster finish in this mid-19th century Uptown New Orleans residence. It boasts a traditional Creole color scheme that was made to look aged and distressed by utilizing layers of limewash. We custom tinted the plaster and the limewash to achieve this striking and deeply "NOLA look." From the previous post, you can see how the colors lighten when things are dry. You can also see more of the foyer's scale as the image is reflected in the cool antique mirror! It takes a great deal of skill, patience, and good old fashioned elbow grease to make a finish like this happen!
Sylvia T Designs is the New Orleans area's premier native decorative arts firm honoring tradition and progress on every job, every single day. Whether you're looking for a look that is traditional, contemporary, or something in-between, 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 #plaster #plasterfinish #plasterfinishes #limeplaster #nola #neworleanshistory #showmeyournola #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #NewOrleans #Uptown
Here's a bit from our current residential renovation in this Uptown New Orleans mid-19th century home. This is in the foyer. It's lime plaster in a traditional Creole color scheme. Here, the second coat of limewash glaze is being applied to distress the plaster and give it the desired aged look. Seems dark? Don't worry! When it's dry and everything said and done, it will be around 70% lighter (stay tuned)! We custom tinted the limewash with pure powder pigments. Timing and product expertise is critical in an application such as this!
Sylvia T Designs is the New Orleans area's premier native decorative arts firm and decorative lime plaster specialist. We honor tradition and progress on every job and every single day! 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 #plaster #plasterfinish #plasterfinishes #limeplaster #nola #neworleanshistory #showmeyournola #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #NewOrleans #Uptown
At Sylvia T Designs, the New Orleans area’s premier native decorative arts firm, we honor tradition and progress on each of our projects. It is a privilege to work in these spaces – whether it’s somewhere historic or somewhere new, commercial or residential, a large job or small. For 25 years, we have sought to bring this mindfulness to everything we do. Here, team member Jess takes a moment to reflect on this terrific tadelakt plaster finish from a residential bathroom in the Bywater. It’s one element we are delivering for this special historical renovation and restoration project.
We’re big fans of tadelakt and we are the region’s only expert in this traditional Moroccan plaster technique, ideal for both wet and dry applications. It’s a lime plaster that takes skill, timing, expertise, and a particular thoughtfulness that is right in keeping with what we do at Sylvia T Designs! 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 #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #tadelakt #limeplaster #indoorplaster #outdoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #plastering #wallfinish #bathroom #residential #renovation #restoration #nola #neworleans #nolaarchitecture #bywater
A while back we shared the work we were doing on this bathroom floor. It’s one element of many we are delivering in a spectacular residential renovation and remodel in the Bywater of New Orleans. Here, in these two pics, you can see the completed pattern we painted – part custom stencil and part hand-painted border. (Shout-out to our friend and the project’s interior designer @sararuffincostello, who came up with the design!) The desired look is one that is aged (consistent with the theme of the overall project). We did some sanding and showed the floor some care before we painted and then “pulled the paint off” to achieve the needed feel. More on this project coming soon!
Sylvia T Designs is the New Orleans area’s premier native decorative arts firm. 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 #interiordeisgner #interiordesign #floor #flooring #woodfloor #ihavethisthingwithfloors #nola #neworleanshistory #showmeyournola #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #NewOrleans #Bywater
Here’s a terrific recent example showing both the functionality and beauty of our tadelakt plaster work! We applied the plaster all over the bathroom of a residential pool house in the Lakeview area of New Orleans. It’s both the wet application (shower walls and floor) and the dry application (bathroom walls and the entire ceiling.) Each application requires a different approach, utilizing a different number of coats. It also takes skilled and disciplined timing to ensure the wet application is water and mold resistant as well as making sure both applications match, looking seamless across the entire space. The natural, organic, and silky look of the plaster compliments the reclaimed wood features of the bathroom.
Sylvia T Designs in the New Orleans and gulf coast region’s tadelakt expert. 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 #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #tadelakt #limeplaster #indoorplaster #outdoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #plastering #wallfinish #bathroom #bathroomfinish #residential #remodel #nola #neworleans #nolaarchitecture #lakeview
Remember the tadelakt plaster application we mentioned in our last post? Well, here is a wider shot of the featured archway skylight in the master bathroom. We’re doing a wet application of this special plaster in the shower and a dry application, pictured here as we add the final coat (two stories up!), on the ceilings and in the archway. Tadelakt is ideal for many uses – showers, all around in the bathroom, pool houses, back splashes, outdoor kitchens, and much more. It’s not only a functional plaster (water and mold resistant) but, in the right artisan’s hands, it can be beautiful, demonstrating deeply organic looks and beautiful motion.
Sylvia T Designs is the region’s tadelakt expert! Drop us a line and let’s talk about whether this traditional Moroccan plaster is the right choice to make your space a (functional and beautiful) work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinish #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #tadelakt #limeplaster #indoorplaster #outdoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #plastering #wallfinish #bathroom #bathroomfinish #residential #remodel #nola #neworleans #nolaarchitecture #batonrouge
More from our exciting Baton Rouge residential renovation project! Here, we’re applying tadelakt plaster in this show-piece master bathroom. Tadelakt is a traditional Moroccan plaster that is both functional and decorative, ideal for both wet and dry application. It is water and mold resistant (wait until you see the shower!) It’s terrific for all-over use, such as here in the featured archway skylight. Our use of this special lime plaster on the ceiling, in the archway, and in the shower ties the whole bathroom together. More soon…
Sylvia T Designs is the region’s tadelakt expert. Let talk tadelakt 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 #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #tadelakt #limeplaster #indoorplaster #outdoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #plastering #wallfinish #bathroom #bathroomfinish #residential #remodel #nola #neworleans #nolaarchitecture #batonrouge
Tadelakt is the lime plaster you should know! It is ideal for both wet and dry applications – showers, bathrooms, backsplashes, outdoor kitchens, and much more. But, this traditional Moroccan plaster takes a great deal of skill to deliver – ensuring that it is both functional (water repellant) and beautiful. Timing in the multi-coat process is critical. It takes the hands of a true artisan to execute this special plaster finish. Here, you can see our finished basecoat for a wet application in a shower – a heavy aggregate plaster that must be properly compressed and smoothed at the right time, not too wet or too dry. This gives us the proper texture needed to setup the multiple coats of tadelakt that then create a beautiful, organic looking plaster finish. One that will transform your space into a (functional) work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinish #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #tadelakt #limeplaster #indoorplaster #outdoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #plastering #wallfinish #bathroom #bathroomfinish #residential #remodel #nola #neworleans #nolaarchitecture #batonrouge
It’s always an honor and a pleasure to work in historic and world famous spaces. This is one of many elements, including the overall aesthetic design, we delivered for Belle Époque. It is the absinthe-driven bar and restaurant located behind the renowned Old Absinthe House located on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The view is from inside the Old Absinthe House bar looking at the “speakeasy” door that beckons you to see what’s behind and enter the elegant space that is Belle Époque! The look we created harkens back to Prohibition. It’s a metallic gold finish meant to look aged and a bit “grimy.” Sylvia T Designs is the New Orleans area’s premier decorative arts firm. Let us know how we can “honor tradition and progress” in your space – residential or commercial, big or small!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinisher #fauxfinish #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #metallicfinish #speakeasy #abisnthe #restaurantdesign #bardesign #nola #neworleanshistory #showmeyournola #handpainted #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #NewOrleans #FrenchQuarter