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...
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
Well, it’s certainly cool and a thrill to roll up Magazine Street in Uptown, New Orleans and see your work! Thanks to our friends at Fairfax Fabric Co. for having us create their storefront sign! We handpainted the branded sign and then, for an added touch of pizzazz, applied genuine leaf – both gold leaf and silver leaf – to the scissors.
Sylvia T Designs provides expert, handcrafted signage for businesses and even things like home bars or dens. Let us know how we can make your sign a work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinisher #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #nola #neworleans #signage #customsign #customsignage #handlettering #handpainted #branding #marketing #logo #design #goldleaf #silverleaf #genuineleaf #gilding #businesswoman #womeninbusiness #smallbusiness
Hey All! As a proud sponsor of the Preservation Resource Center’s Shotgun Home Tour, happening this weekend, we hope to see you out there! We’ll be around on Saturday. Come by and say hi! Check out @prcnola for more!
Here, we’re applying the first coat of a dry application of Tadelakt plaster – a traditional Moroccan technique that is both beautiful and functional. It can be used in wet areas (think walk-in showers, outdoor kitchens, pool rooms, and much more) as well as dry (beautiful in non-wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and more)!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf Coast region’s only true Tadelakt artisan! Let us know how we can make your space a work of art! And don’t worry we never plaster ourselves into a corner!😅
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinish #artist #designer #interiordesigner #interiordesign #interiors #tadelakt #limeplaster #indoorplaster #outdoorplaster #plasterfinish #plaster #residential #renovation #restoration #nola #neworleans #nolaarchitecture #batonrouge #businesswoman #womeninbusiness #womenwhohustle
Here are some shots of a terrific residential renovation project we recently completed in Baton Rouge for Telich Custom Homes. It was an honor to work in this A. Hays Town, the South’s premier 20th century architect, designed structure!
We plastered the open kitchen walls around into parts of the dining room area where they meet a lovely brick wall. We used a “stone” lime plaster with a soft look boasting very subtle movement. It perfectly complements the look of the space with its wide-open rustic feel, artful wood elements, and the abundant natural light!
Sylvia T Designs is the region’s leading decorative arts and master plaster artisan firm trusted in special spaces like this! Our skill, experience, and product knowledge with decorative and functional plaster finishes are unmatched! 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 #limeplaster #plasterfinish #Marmorino #marmorinoplaster #nola #batonrouge #neworleans #gulfcoast #handpainted #renovation #restoration #southernarchitecture #southernliving #ahaystown #historicarchitecture #architecture
Happy Friday everyone! And, happy one-year anniversary as part of our team/family to our talented, hard-working, and wonderful, Tess! She has shined from day one, first, as an Artisan Assistant and then, as an Artisan Apprentice! We’re lucky to have her!
Sylvia T Designs is the Gulf Coast and New Orleans area’s premier decorative arts firm. Our badass, all-women artisan team sets the standard for the craft across the board. Hire the best 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 #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #plaster #plasterfinishes #decorativearts #nola #neworleanshistory #handpainted #residential #commercial #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #NewOrleans #southernliving #businesswoman #womeninbusiness #womenwhohustle
Here’s a look at a recent residential renovation where we did some terrific work in this Uptown, New Orleans home. In this shot, you can see some of what we did in the kitchen (we did all the walls and the ceiling, too!) The owner wanted a rustic French provincial country look to complement the fixtures and decor. We delivered a gorgeous Marmorino plaster finish that shows some beautiful and subtle motion along with lovely depth. We also did a custom color match with the plaster. What’s more? We sealed the finish to provide protection and cleanability from kitchen stains and grease!
Sylvia T Designs is the New Orleans and Gulf Coast region’s decorative and functional plaster experts! Always ask for the best 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 #fauxfinisher #fauxfinish #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #limeplaster #plasterfinish #Marmorino #kitchen #kitchenremodel #kitchendesign #nola #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #NewOrleans #Uptown
One of our favorite things is having a client over to our shop to show them what we’re cooking up for their project! This is for an upcoming residential historical restoration and renovation in a French Quarter Creole Cottage! We will be delivering many fabulous elements in virtually every space in the house. This will involve extensive decorative and functional plaster finishes (including an amazing tadelakt bathroom and much more), mural work, and custom stenciling. It’s going to be incredible! Stay tuned for more!
Sylvia T Designs is the foremost decorative arts firm in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast region trusted by architects, designers, contractors, and home and business owners. Whether its historic or new, residential or commercial, a big project or small, ask for the best 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 #interiordesigner #interiordesign #plaster #plasterfinish #plasterfinishes #limeplaster #tadelakt #venetianplaster #mural #neworleanshistory #handpainted #residential #renovation #restoration #historicpreservation #neworleanspreservation #nolarchitecture #preservenola #FrenchQuarter #NOLA
Here's another feature wall we did in the same Old Metairie home from our previous post, this time in the primary bathroom. We delivered a soft metallic layered strié. It gives the wall an elegant and “cooling” feel across the room.
Sylvia T Designs is the premier decorative arts firm in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast region. Let us know how we can craft a feature wall and make your space a work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinisher #fauxfinish #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #renovation #remodel #residential #bathroom #bathroomdesign #bathroomfinish #powderroom #metallicfinish #strie #handpainted #NOLA #NewOrleans #GulfCoast #Metairie #OldMetairie #featurewall #architecture
Sometimes all it takes is a feature wall to make your space pop! One thing we love delivering for our clients is a feature wall based on their inspiration that truly transforms a space! Here, in this Old Metairie residential powder room, we consulted with our client and took their inspiration images to create a unique, striking faux finish. We created a soft metallic “crocodile” look that shows off great texture and depth.
Sylvia T Designs is the premier decorative arts firm in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast region. Let us know how we can craft a feature wall and make your space a work of art!
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#yourspaceasaworkofart #honoringtraditionandprogress #artisan #craftsman #craftsmanship #craftsperson #craftswoman #decorativeartist #fauxfinisher #fauxfinish #artist #interiordesigner #interiordesign #renovation #remodel #residential #bathroom #bathroomdesign #bathroomfinish #powderroom #powderroomdesign #powderroomfinish #handpainted #NOLA #NewOrleans #GulfCoast #Metairie #OldMetairie #featurewall #architecture
Here's a finished shot (please see our previous post) of our residential Venetian plaster ceiling finish. The bold and highly mirrored finish adds dramatic elegance to the spacious dining room. Though the picture doesn’t do it justice, you can see how the abundant natural light beautifully reflects off the plaster. The striking appearance is further enhanced by the ceiling bays. Extensive hand-burnishing with a large dose of key timing throughout the application (all while working on a ceiling!) allowed us to achieve this look from the lime-based plaster.
Sylvia T Designs is the premier decorative and functional plaster artisan firm in the Gulf Coast region. If your job calls for plaster, always use the best! Our skill, expertise, and product knowledge are unmatched. 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 #limeplaster #venetianplaster #plaster #plasterfinish #plasterfinishes #newconstruction #decorativeplaster #handpainted #residential #NOLA #NewOrleans #GulfCoast #architecture #southernliving
Here's an in-progress shot of a gorgeous finish we are delivering on a high-end residential project in the New Orleans area. It’s lime-based Venetian plaster featured on the home’s dining room ceiling interspersed between several ceiling bays. The final coat has been applied and now we are hand-compressing the plaster to achieve the desired mirrored look that you can see is starting to manifest. This takes great skill, timing, and patience to achieve.
It’s a challenge yet a joy to create a finish like this when working on a ceiling! We’ll have more on this project deliverable soon! Sylvia T Designs is the region’s premier decorative and functional plaster artisan firm and the one that interior designers, architects, home and business owners and others trust for special projects like these! 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 #limeplaster #venetianplaster #plaster #plasterfinish #plasterfinishes #newconstruction #decorativeplaster #handpainted #residential #NOLA #NewOrleans #Gretna #GulfCoast #architecture #southernliving