Latest Project: Lime Plaster Mantel installation, 11' x 8' for custom Home on the beach. The kitchen/living space is 1800 sqf, with modern architectural details, simple and clean. Hence, we were commissioned to create a large, elegant, modern surround and mantel, our medium to create this piece was entirely in Lime Plaster.
How? Grano Di Legno is Italian for wood grain, we create the grain/texture through scratching the surface of the Lime Plaster and adding layers of Bee's wax to provide colour and depth. Creating architectural fresco panels.
If it looks like, concrete and rich mahogany - fantastic. But it's not! You design it. Spec it. And we create it.
Let's Get Physical! "Let me hear your body talk . . ." Olivia Newton-John
Do you remember that song, if you do, then you are product of the 80's and remember some really bad videos. But hey, that is what makes memories of the 80's great... we survived & MTV was born.
Ok, I realize that is a little different for an intro heading, yet it's the only thought that keeps coming to my mind as I try to describe our most recent feature wall project. It was very Physical to create, "no pain, no gain"!
Feature Wall
It's a display suite for a local developer. 'Necessity is the Mother of all Creation'
The challenge for this wall was to have the plaster thick enough to carve while wet, yet not heavy or it would fall of the wall! Hmm, well that is when I began testing a variety of additives to thicken the plaster to help it set to a certain state, before it becomes impossible to work with, to hard. Vuala! I found something to allow this to occur, ...wasn't easy discovery especially on the hottest days of the summer, but it seemed to work out really well. The Finished Product The Original Reference from the Designer You design it. Spec it. And we create it.
I must remember this one, 'the key to building a warm environment (minus the fireplace) is to make sure you have a water view at every opportunity to place a mantle. Then just sit down, relax and take it all in.'
That is exactly what we have been doing for the past week and will for the next couple of weeks, since we are currently creating 3 very Distinct custom Lime Plaster Mantles.
Not on the Past or the Future . . . More as in the magazine - Dwell.
It is one of my fave's for sourcing creative ideas and inspiration for
when you look at the box (house) and think what can I do with this one!?
That is the question that I have been pondering for a while since we
bought our own little Love Shack in 'The Beach Community'.
The home is 36 years old with no updates
until we moved in. Slowly I have been chipping away with small reno
projects, one at a time. In the past weeks I decided to take on the
window facade since it was just so blahhh. Therefore, Dwell was the
place of inspiration, since there are always dozens of updated homes
with a contemporary 70's vibe. I personally enjoy the
cottage/contemporary look and that is the direction for our home...if we
ever finish ;)
Lime Plaster Planter Box
Often there is left over material from
other projects, thus I decided to take Lime Plaster outside for the
ultimate test. I designed the box to be built out of plywood and then
took the same steps as you would with a shower walls, sealed with
concrete and applied my Lime Plaster over the concrete.
The Challenge
We also needed to warm up the exterior,
what better than adding more of what BC is good at cedar! Using the
cedar in lengths of 2" x 8' strapping the box and to help create a
linear vibe with 1/4" spacing between that is more common is design
these days.
The rest was what I love to do! Play with Plaster...
Funny part in the end
I
actually didn't like the 1st colour of the plaster, (HC 107) Gettysburg
Gray once we mounted it. Since we used the French cleats, just pulled
it off and applied another coat of Lime Plaster to change the colour (HC
166) Kendall Charcoal and set it back on the cleats - easy.
This week bloggers, we are in beautiful Mazatlan for much needed rest and fun in the sun. Even Plaster's need a break from the routine in Vancouver of creating stunning mantles and wall plaster masterpieces. Nothing like some good old vitamin D and vivid Mexican Food and Culture to bring the balance of work/play together in harmony.
After months of anticipation the Trade show of the design year arrived.
Well run, well staffed and a FANTASTIC venue (Vancouver Convention Center/Olympic Media Center)to launch Organic Lime Plaster Mantles
Did you miss it?
Not to worry we have the show on a YouTube Video, contact us and we will connect you to what the attendees saw.
In the final stages,
of detailing borders for this double vault Intonachino ceiling.
Creating the border for detailing the arch.
Due to the height and two levels of the vaults. the moisture and drying temperatures varied - Intonachino in the process of drying.
Borders with Beeswax sealers, lending to a very organic and Islamic/Eastern appearance.
...Next: everything goes back in place, new carpets, lights and furniture.
Last week we started on a larger project, a client requested a Lime Plaster ceiling installation.
Not a problem, but it is rather challenging, since the architecture of the ceiling consists of 2 barrel vaults, 22' high!
We are applying several coats of Intonachino Lime Plaster in a distressed effect.
Some pictures of the work in progress - oH, yes that is not our work on the ceiling below, that is the lovely wonder if the early ninety's, sponge painting! Set up 1st coat of Intonachino Lime Plaster to the ceiling
