February 6th, 2012

16,000 square feet of Classic Venetian plaster was used to turn the walls at “The Grandview Business Center” Located in Morgan Crossing South Surrey, BC into a major conversation piece.  Its not often you get approached to do a full interior Italian Lime plaster in a Commercial setting.  Why you ask would you want to choose a venetian plaster finish for a commercial space?

Why Lime Plaster

-Lime Plaster  has vertually no VOC’s making a pleasant enviroment to work in and be around

-Stronger than drywall and paint finishes Venetian plaster will hide scuffs marks and abrasions

-Endless possibilities of texture and sheen

-Most damage is easily repaired

-Seamless finish from start to finish only stopping in corners.

Here are some photos of this recent full interior Venetian Lime Plaster

January 17th, 2012

The process, the projects, the finished product: This is an inside look into how I create my Venetian plaster projects, making them come alive.

In this video, you’ll see steps used to create my Venetian plaster projects, including completed project photos of Classic, Carrara, Intonachino and Tadelakt plaster applications.

When it comes to my projects, it’s Stucco Italiano Italian lime plaster that is my one and only choice, and I think this video shows you why. When you think interior stucco think Authentic lime based Venetian plaster.

January 9th, 2012

Venetian Plaster has always been used in Old-World settings like Tuscan Villas, for me though its been a slow start into the Modern realm.

Modern with its clean lines, simple colours and large windows do not usually call for a distressed Old World Tuscan plaster. In 2011 we had two installs of significant modern interior design stature. Keeping to the lighter side of the colour pallet we used a beautiful sand taupe. Here is one of the projects.

What makes me always go back to Venetian plaster is the fact it can be so many sheen’s, from matte to high polish and everywhere in between, its a timeless plaster finish that I will continue to offer in my portfolio.

The Before

With so many colours and finishes to choose from and durability that is far superior to any paint finish, Venetian plaster will be found in Modern and Tuscan homes more and more as the years progress.

January 7th, 2012

Well, we’re already three weeks into our massive Italian lime plaster commercial project in South Surrey, BC.

As you can imagine, a lot of work is going on around us on the project every day, so while we’re trying to keep productivity at a maximum, we also have to keep trade damage to our work at a minimum.

This week, focus has been on the main floor’s lobby, the corridors, ceilings, and that awesome barrel ceiling covered in Venetian plaster.

It’s a big challenge, a ceiling like that, but to know me is to know I love my job.

Everyone around me knows how much I dig the challenges and the change that come from project to project. My passion for what I do and for getting my clients what they want is what makes my work so successful.

This one’s got even more challenges, and people to satisfy, than anything I’ve done because it’s the largest project I’ve ever worked on, and I hope it proves I belong on both the artisan and big commercial side of plastering.

But what do you think? Here, take a look at how things are coming along.

This barrel ceiling’s a huge focal point, so I took extra care and due diligence, as it’s a heavy use area and we want it looking as fantastic years from now as it does opening day.

To get there, I started off by applying a two-coat Intonachino Lime plaster finish, and closed it up with a buffed super-smooth finish.

When you’re talking a “true” Venetian plaster, it’s actually a very thin finish. It can be somewhat delicate, and that’s something to consider on a project like this versus, say, a large home for a family of four. Given the massive building size, and the likelihood of foundation settling over coming months or years, I wanted a thicker plaster, just in case the building shifts any or nails decide to move any, and that extra coverage (and more work) should ensure longevity.

Craziness, I know, but it’s better safe than sorry, and it’s easier to do the job thoroughly the first time than to fix any problems a year or five years down the line.

Make sure your craftsmen don’t just think about how your job looks the day you have to sign the last check. You want them thinking about how that space will work for you over the coming years. Have that conversation with them, if you’re not sure they’re thinking in those terms — because they should be.

Look at this colour depth! This is what happens when I really push the envelope on the “maximum tint allowance” per bucket. Pay-off!

“Wax-on, wax-off.” Laying down the layers, pic by pic:

The end result? A stunning shiny show-stopper.

In this instance, it’s really a labour of love. It’s nine steps from start to finish — a lot of prepping, buffing, and grunt-work. There’s no easy way out on this one, it’s all about pushing through the burn thats the true nature of real venetian plaster.

At the end, all you see is how great it looks, and that’s okay with me.

Cheers,
Darrell Morrison.

October 1st, 2011

Lime plaster has been my choice of material for almost a decade now. Recently someone told me it takes 10,000 hours to become proficient at any trade whether it be carpentry, framing or even a stone mason, the time spent honing that skill will one day make you a tradesman (or tradeswoman).

Over the summer I have been fortunate to work on a project in an Old World Italian Design Tuscan Villa. Breaking into my crate of techniques from WoodGraining, GoldLeafing, Venetian Plastering, Lime Painting and Stencilling.   I have been challenged in ways that excite my mind and creativity, opening a new chapter in my life and the world I love to call Italian Plastering.

Here are some photos from this recent journey, the project is still in progress.

OldWorld Distress Exterior Wall

WoodGraining base coat

WoodGraining complete

Fibre Crown is a foam moulding used to simulate stone and in most situations is painted with acrylic paints.

Here is a close up of the foam moulding

Lime Painted Fibre Crown Moulding To Simulate The Look Of LimeStone

Fibre crown molding Lime stone 2 before & After