Venetian Plaster Marmorino style

Part Two of the finishes I learned at Amy Howard at Home workshop is Venetian Plaster. See my previous post on decorative finishes.

What image comes to mind when you think of Venetian Plaster? 

 Is it this? Or the one below?

No, not Tuscany! Venice!!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marmorino stucco.

Marmorino Veneziano is a plaster or stucco decoration used on walls. It was used as far back as Roman times, but was made popular once more during the Renaissance 500 years ago in Venice.

It is made from crushed marble and lime putty, which can be tinted to give a wide range of colours. This can then be applied to make many textures, from polished marble to natural stone effects. Widely used in Italy, its appeal has spread through North America especially, but now worldwide. Because of the hours of workmanship, the pricing places it in the high-end market. However, many examples can be seen in public buildings, bars, restaurants, etc.

Its waterproofing and antibacterial qualities as well as visual effects have also made it very desirable for luxury bathrooms and other wet areas. Not confined to interior use, it can be seen on the exterior of many buildings to great effect.

Yes, you read correctly........for the luxury market, "high end".
 No longer, and should you opt to do so, these skills are within your reach with The Amy Howard at Home collection of Venetian Plasters and a touch of practice. As in all her products, this is made for the DIY'ers, the inexperienced, those willing to roll up a sleeve. Let's investigate further.

 With a composition of marble and limestone dust, water re-activates it.
Beware of the products readily found in Home Improvement centers, they are synthetic, acrylic, which will eventually begin to degrade. This is the real Renaissance formula. We learned the techniques of which we will teach in the shop.

 Left in a rough stage by not burnishing the finish, it maintains a heavily textured look. In this example gold gild was inserted here and there

 Burnishing (repeatedly rubbing with a trowel until it glows) brings forth an intense shine for walls and ceilings

 In a bathroom this product can replace tile, yes it is impervious to moisture, think Vencie.

 Which includes exterior walls, over brick, over outdated fireplace surrounds indoors or out.....

Other applications include creating your own contemporary art with Venetian plaster blended with a tint and spread on a wood frame with a Pavon styled trowel. I can say with confidence that I can recreate the art displayed above. And this artist wannabe is thrilled!

And this.......art or wallpaper.

A 24 x 24 square of burlap has tinted layers of Venetian Plaster troweled in vertical and horizontal motions. Here and there pigment powders are added to intensify the colors. Amy's intent is to float this piece in an acrylic frame. 

Like the effect? Create this on long strips of burlap or on rice paper as wall paper. 

And lastly, as table and counter tops,  replicating the look of marble, or any pattern you chose. As this product reverts to stone, the care and use is the same as marble. 

I wish I could put life on "hold" and play.

Come play with us! Classes forming shortly, email me for inclusion; debra@scentimentalgardens.com

                                                             75 degrees in Illinois today!

Debra

Finishes with Amy Howard Home

 My head is spinning, in the best of ways............
First the Design Blogger Conference in Atlanta where many of today's design stars imparted their wisdom freely. The leading professionals on business strategies, social media, photography (has not helped yet) and so much more inspired us to think beyond our comfort zones. 
Much to my husbands dismay, I have arrived home with a gazillion ideas and I can see in his eyes and sinking shoulders as he thinks how much will this cost?

From Atlanta onwards to Memphis for more inspiration at AMY HOWARDS master class for her retailers. Can one's head actually explode?

The creative process begins the moment you step inside

When the goal is replicating patinas with the look of history, allow yourself the time to study original finishes via museums, books, antique shops and the internet. The beauty of the imperfections, wear and style can guide us in recreating these finishes of age. Amy Howard has provided the tools.

 What joy and wonder lies ahead with the goodie basket before us!

Let's move on to all the techniques learned

 A new gild, a water marked copper, is applied to a surface with a stencil over it in a darker finish to great effect

Excellent patterns are becoming available

A stencil with two colors from the line, over wood or fabric and mounted as a piece of art

 Just arrived is the 2D embossing cream. Excellent on furniture for dimension and depth of interest


The relief is gilded in gold

Pitted Italian Silver

Real sterling and gold leaf is aged with her Zinc and Antique Mirror Solution. Interesting on the top of a small chest, on door inserts or framing a mirror

STUNNING!! This technique of creating Tiger Stone is ridiculously easy and fool proof! Am dying to try this on a small chest


New techniques with her Toscano Powder Paint. So much easier. The Toscano powder paint is the one utilized for a gesso aged finish with pits and cracks.

 Still loving the effect of Liming Wax over rough grained/heavily textured wood. Would love to re-do my kitchen floor in this

Malachite, a beautiful stone long replicated in furniture and objects. A classic. Some of my artisan friends painstakingly create this look by hand with carefully crafted brush strokes and patterns. As you can imagine this is very expensive........until now

During

After

With very simple techniques you too can create this look. As in the Tiger Eye finish, this is so easy and foolproof. 

Watch for our class list as I cannot wait to teach these techniques. To be added to our workshop list, email me here

And if this was not enough, my next post will be on another process Amy taught, authentic Venetian Plaster, oh my, oh my!

Lastly, that's me (see my hand?) with you know who. The photo was snapped after we shared a funny story. I look like a freak, hence, this version.

Have a great week, the sun is shining here!

Debra

Design on my mind

Well it is always on my mind...keeps me awake at night, in a good way...keeps the blood pumping


Headed to Atlanta this Monday for the Design Bloggers Conference

Who else is going? Would love to meet up with some of my favorite bloggers

And these people......

Michael Patrick Flynn

Alexa Hampton

Bunny Williams

And Key Note speaker, Nate

My friend Luba of the Boston area, is with the firm who organizes this event. Heads-up Luba, I will be asking for some introductions. Hope you can get out of town!

From Atlanta I head west to Memphis for a retreat with the Amy Howard decorative finish line. A hands-on session with the new product line up

Am particularly excited about the VENETIAN PLASTER, 2D EMBOSSING STENCIL and

 GREAT NEW STENCIL PATTERNS for furniture, walls and fabric.

New techniques will also be taught and one just learned is reverse painting on glass with lacquer sprays and water

Nice isn't it? Watch for a future post with instructions and the decorating options.

Up for a BEFORE and AFTER?

Here's a current favorite

What we have here is a builders special; black granite surround and a rather odd mantle which is so out of place with this massive wall. The two rustic columns on the side were set there as a potential design element.......nope.

 Four of these boys, found in Atlanta, are vintage Belgian Draft horse bog shoes

Tiny mantle, gone. In it's place is a vintage fireplace surround found in Tennessee, a gorgeous Tiger Eye and Burled Maple with a beautiful patina of age. Hubby Steve, built a surround above the mantle, this is one tall wall! 

Those criss cross shadows are from the overhead woven egg basket chandeliers.

 Painted

Can you spy the wet bar to the far right? 

In it's reincarnation it will be a Whisky Bar, with custom chalk art and rustic floating shelves from Thailand.

After.......

In formation with a vintage Prune Dryer from Provence, a one piece hand carved wooden chain, et al, makes for a big change, don't you think?

If I get my act together would like to bring a professional photographer in. Another plus from the Amy Howard retreat will be lessons in photography so you will not have to endure low quality images.....well, I hope

Going to the conference in Atlanta? Let's meet up, drop me a line

The winner of this book is Carolyn, enjoy!