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
The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Seignouret-Brulatour House
We recently had the great privilege of working on a centerpiece project for the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC). Now that the museum is open, we can share this exciting job with you! This was a multi-million-dollar project that was...
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...
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
Here’s another terrific element we delivered for our residential project on Royal Street in the Bywater of New Orleans. It’s a major renovation in a stunning historic property. Here’s a view of our work in the guest bedroom. You can see the custom stencil that we “ghosted.” Also, we aged the plaster on the walls, crown molding, and trim. The look is made to appear as if things have been in a state of beautiful decay for many years with this antique finish. We used real milk paint that does the job terrifically and is also environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and 100% organic!
Sylvia T Designs is the premier decorative arts firm in the New Orleans and the larger Gulf Coast region. Our unparalleled aesthetic skill is matched only by the depth of our product knowledge and experience. We use only artisan-level materials in our project work. 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 #milkpaint #venetianplaster #decorativeplaster #neworleanshistory #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #Bywater #NOLA
Now, here’s a stairwell you’d want to go up and down! Tadelakt plaster, a traditional Moroccan technique, is so versatile! It can be used in wet areas (like walk-in showers) as well as dry areas (walls, ceilings.) Here, as part of a residential renovation in Baton Rouge, we applied a beautiful, custom colored tadelakt plaster finish on the stairwell’s wainscoting in its upper portion and then on both sides of its solid half-wall. The stairwell comes dramatically into view from the home’s foyer, open kitchen, and living room. Also note, in some of the pictures, you can see the plaster in the upper areas is yet to dry into its finished look, as seen the in the lower area/half-wall views. Ultimately, the look is creamy, organic, and boasts a subtle lushness unique to tadelakt! Special bonus – don’t miss the amazing scalloped fireplace surround we delivered using a stunning stone plaster finish!
Sylvia T Designs is the only true tadelakt artisan in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Greater Gulf Coast region. We use only high-quality, artisan materials. Dreaming of tadelakt in your space? Drop us a line 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 #tadelakt #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #limeplaster #indoorplaster #decorativeplaster #livingroom #fireplace #plasterfinish #plaster #plastering #wallfinish #renovation #residential #remodel #BatonRouge #SouthernLiving #Louisiana
Here’s a recently completed project of a residential renovation in Baton Rouge for our friends, Kenneth Brown Design and Bernhard Normand Construction! We delivered a sumptuous tadelakt finish to the stove hood (pictured here) in the open kitchen as well as around the adjacent living room walls and scalloped fireplace surround (more on the last two soon!) The plaster is a custom color matched across the three elements. The soft mottled feel of the tadelakt complements the space terrifically!
Sylvia T Designs is the only true tadelakt artisan in the Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and larger Gulf Coast region. Let us know how we can bring this amazing traditional Moroccan plaster technique, using only the finest artisan materials, to your project and make your space a work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #BatonRouge #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinish #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #tadelakt #limeplaster #decorativeplaster #functionalplaster #indoorplaster #outdoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #plastering #wallfinish #kitchen #kitchenremodel #residential #renovation #stovehood
Microcement! Big news from Sylvia T Designs coming soon! Stay tuned…
Sylvia T Designs is the premier decorative arts firm in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Gulf Coast region! We use only authentic, artisan-level materials when delivering the vision for your project. Whether your job is large or small, commercial or residential, historic or new construction, 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 #microcement #decorativeplaster #limeplaster #indoorplaster #outdoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #residential #renovation #restoration #nola #neworleans #nolaarchitecture #batonrouge #businesswoman #womeninbusiness
Ahhh, the beautiful silky texture of tadelakt plaster! This beautiful traditional Moroccan technique can shine and shimmer in various spaces – both dry (as pictured here) or wet applications (such as walk-in showers). In these shots, we delivered this special plaster finish to a residence in Baton Rouge. We did the walls and ceilings in the living room and entry way. The surfaces boast a natural glow that changes depending on the light (natural and artificial) and the time of day. It strikes a balance between the modern and traditional while complementing the look of the reclaimed wood beams and flooring. Tadelakt uses natural materials, is eco-friendly, and delivers a finish that is true art!
Sylvia T Designs in the only true tadelakt artisan in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and overall Gulf Coast regions. We use only the best, authentic products and apply them with unparalleled skill and craftsmanship. Let us know how we can bring tadelakt to your project and make your space a work of art!
Photos courtesy of @scheffyconstruction
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinish #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #tadelakt #decorativeplaster #limeplaster #indoorplaster #outdoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #residential #renovation #restoration #nola #neworleans #nolaarchitecture #batonrouge #businesswoman #womeninbusiness
One of the main things we do here at Sylvia T Designs is color! It’s in our DNA. Looking for some guidance on color selections for your project? We got you! And this isn’t limited to our decorative arts deliverables on a job, we can help you with color on any part of your project! Where we also excel is with color matching (in fact, we’re unmatched in that regard – pun intended😅)! We’re experts at matching colors, whether standard or custom, with our work. We can take whatever colors your project requires and make a perfect match with the plasters, microcement, lime washes, and mineral paints we use as well as with many other aspects of the decorative arts we deliver (murals, stencils, custom signage, etc.)
Sylvia T Designs is the premier decorative arts firm in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast region. Let us know how can take your colors and 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 #decorativeplaster #mural #stencil #color #colorselection #nola #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #nolarchitecture #microcement #NewOrleans #GulfCoast
Thank you so much to everyone who attended our class, “The Right Plaster for the Right Space,” last Friday at our New Orleans artisan shop! And a special big thanks to our friends at Preservation Resource Center NOLA for asking us to do this! It was a great success – was sold out (and then some!) and it seemed people came away with practical and critical knowledge needed to better understand utilizing and spec’ing plaster and microcement in their projects.
The class was, principally, for folks in the trade – architects, designers, contractors, etc. We shared our expertise and product knowledge across a wide range of functional and decorative plasters – Venetian, Marmorino, Grassello, Tadelakt, American Clay, Microcement, and more. We covered how each of these can perform, proper prep, cost, and other key ideas!
If you couldn’t make it or would like to learn more, drop us a DM and we can set you up with an appointment to stop by our artisan shop and see how we can “make your space a work of art!”
Visit @prcnola!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinish #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #plaster #plasterfinish #plasterfinishes #limeplaster #marmorino #venetianplaster #tadelakt #microcement #nola #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #womeninbusiness
We’ve been sharing some great things we’ve been doing on this special project in the Bywater of New Orleans for a while now. Here’s a look at one of the completed bathrooms in this historic double shotgun. It’s an amazing all-over tadelakt plaster finish we delivered throughout the space – the walls, the ceilings, and the stunning walk-in shower! One of the key parts of doing tadelakt in an instance like this is the ability to perfectly match the color and feel of the wet application area (shower) and the dry areas (walls, ceilings.) There are beautiful and subtle lavender undertones in the finish, which boasts lovely, organic movement. It’s all about skill, expertise, and timing!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf Coast’s premier plaster artisan firm and the only true tadelakt applicator in the region. If you want the real deal with this unique Moroccan plaster technique, 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 #tadelakt #venetianplaster #decorativeplaster #neworleanshistory #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #Bywater #NOLA
Our major project in the French Quarter is fully underway! We are doing extensive work in an historic Creole cottage providing numerous plaster finishes and other decorative elements throughout the home. Here, we are applying the final coat of a beautiful Marmorino plaster in one of the parlors. The texture will soften and the color will lighten as it dries. From there, we be applying a horizontal striping lime wash to finish off this stunning look. Stay tuned!
Sylvia T Designs is the region’s premier decorative arts firm trusted in historic spaces bringing our unparalleled expertise, experience, and skill. 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 #tadelakt #venetianplaster #mural #neworleanshistory #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #FrenchQuarter #NOLA
Here’s a good look at a stunning gold leaf ceiling we recently completed in an Uptown, New Orleans residence! It provides a striking and elegant feel to the dining room that boasts terrific natural light, clean white tones on the walls and crown molding, and a great chandelier and ceiling medallion. You can see how the light gorgeously reflects off the ceiling!
Sylvia T Designs is the region’s premier gilding – gold leaf, silver leaf, and genuine leaf – expert. Whether it’s a piece of furniture, a stair rail, or an entire ceiling, we’re the go-to for this beautiful look. No one else even compares! Let us know how we can make your space a work of gilded 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 #remodel #southernliving #showmeyournola
Happy Friday! We were very pleased to do some plaster work for the folks at the newly opened Flour Moon Bagels! We produced a lime plaster finish with a terrific, natural looking stone texture to their counter fronts. It perfectly complements their stated feel of a “Scandinavian Waffle House” that brings an organic look with bright colors and a slightly industrial vibe.
Sylvia T Designs is the leading plaster artisan firm in the Gulf Coast Region. Whether your spot is commercial or residential, 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 #fauxfinisher #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #limeplaster #indoorplaster #outdoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #plastering #nola #neworleans #nolaarchitecture #cafedesign