Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
We’re happy to now offer Venetian Plaster with Stucco Italiano - Open Studio days at NO CHARGE to our alumni students.
Stucco Italiano Open Studio will be an ongoing networking event for our alumni students who want to exchange ideas and build their portfolios.
Any student who enrolls in one of our new classes, or has attended Aaron’s classes at either Vandelae Studios or Seattle Architectural Finishing Studio, is welcome to attend these fun networking events.
Upcoming 2009 Stucco Italiano Open Studios will be held on the following Saturdays:
- February 28th
- April 11th
- May 30th
Read more about Stucco Italiano Open Studio, then call us at 206.838.5888 or e-mail info@stuccoitaliano.us to secure your spot in the Open Studio of your choice.
Posted in Business Tips, Classes, Techniques, Tips and Tricks, Venetian Plaster | No Comments »
Thursday, January 15th, 2009
A lot of people throw around the term “Venetian plaster,” but what does it really mean?
5 things you’ve probably heard about Venetian plaster, and why they are wrong:
1. You’ve heard: “Venetian plaster is a faux finish.”
The truth: Authentic Venetian plaster is not a faux finish. In fact, it’s the most authentic veneer wall finish you can have. When natural, lime-based venetian plaster is applied it will eventually return to it’s original state, which is lime and marble, AKA stone.
2. You’ve heard: You can buy Venetian plaster at Lowes or Home Depot.
The truth: You will find products labeled “Venetian plaster,” but they are actually composed of acrylic polymers and fillers such as gypsum and/or clay. While these synthetic Venetian plasters made by paint manufacturers may look somewhat similar to the real thing to the untrained eye, it’s been our experience that these synthetics will ultimately fade and become “tired” looking over a relatively short period of time, just like painted walls. Unlike real Venetian Plaster, synthetic Venetians are more closely related to paint than to stone, so this should come as no surprise.
3. You’ve heard: Venetian plaster can’t be applied in the shower, on exteriors, or on any surface that will get wet.
The truth: True Italian Venetian plaster is actually a wonderful choice for surfaces that will get wet. Lime plasters perform extremely well in wet climates by simply allowing any water that is absorbed into the plaster to quickly evaporate and exit the structure. That’s why they’re called Venetian plaster, because they can tolerate rising damp and canal-side applications like in the lagoons of Venice that would cause failure in acrylic and cement plasters. Traditional Moroccan lime plaster Tadelakt has been used in the Hammams (the traditional Moroccan steam baths), and in the riads of Marrakesh for centuries.
4. You’ve heard: Anyone can apply Venetian plaster in their home.
The truth: Well, it’s true that anyone can apply it. But applying it well is a different story. While we definitely aren’t saying you’ll be a pro after one day, our new PIY (Plaster-It-Yourself): The Basics workshop is a good place for a beginner to start understanding the do’s and dont’s of Venetian plaster application. Also, consider hiring a skilled contractor to do the job.
5. You’ve heard: Installing Venetian plaster in your home will break the bank.
The truth: Unlike paints which must be reapplied over and over, Venetian plaster is a lifetime finish. The material is self-healing, much less likely to crack than cement finishes, and naturally mold-resistant, resulting in beautiful walls that will withstand the test of time. Green building will be a key part of America’s economic future, and authentic Venetian plasters are not only beautiful, they fit perfectly into the future of green building.
6. You’ve heard: Venetian plaster is really shiny.
The truth: OK that’s 6 things not 5 you caught me. Yes, Venetian plaster can be brought up to a natural high sheen by compressing the material as it dries. The more compression, the higher the sheen. However, natural lime plasters can also be finished to a rustic matte or satin sheen, depending on which material is used and how it is applied. The possible looks and finishes for Venetian plaster are limitless!
Got any more questions about Venetian plaster? Ask away in the comments and we’ll do our best to shed some light on the subject.
Posted in Classes, Green, Venetian Plaster | 2 Comments »
Monday, January 12th, 2009
INTRODUCING OUR NEW, All-in-One, Master Venetian Plaster Training, Materials, & Support Program
Let’s face it. These days, we’re all pinching pennies a little more than we have in the past. You are looking for more value than ever before when you reach into your pocketbook.
That’s why we are enhancing our classes by adding FREE material and tools to take home after class, and offering GUARANTEED, ongoing, on-the-job support for our students and customers.
Whether you are a homeowner looking for a way to economically remodel your home, or a professional artisan aspiring to be at the top of the field, we can help you succeed.
Intrigued? Learn more about our All-in-One, Master Venetian Plaster Training, Materials, & Support Program or click on an individual class title below to find out which one will work for you.
High quality is important to you, but you don’t want to pay high prices for installation. Well, pick up a trowel and plaster it yourself! This one-day class introduces beginners to the foundation of Venetian plastering… (Read more about Plaster-It-Yourself)
The beginning to intermediate artisan who recognizes the importance of using the highest quality materials and the best techniques can take his or her career to the next level by becoming certified as a Stucco Italiano Installer… (Read more about Stucco Italiano Certification)
The future of interior design is green. While your clients are increasingly demanding all-natural materials that won’t harm the environment, they don’t want to sacrifice style. During this intermediate to advanced level intensive, you will learn a wide variety of the most sought-after finishes in the field, using only the finest non-toxic lime-based plasters… (Read more about Master Venetian Plaster: Total Immersion)
Sometimes you want to skip the natural look and go for a bolder texture, finish, or glaze. You need the versatility of an acrylic material, and we use only the best: Golden Proceed. (Read more about Go Golden: The Proceed Line)
Upcoming Class Schedule
PIY (Plaster-It-Yourself): The Basics (1-Day Workshop)
February 21, 2009 (Sat)
April 25, 2009 (Sat)
Stucco Italiano Certification Course (3-Day Class)
February 23-25, 2009 (Mon-Wed)
April 27-29, 2009 (Mon-Wed)
Master Venetian Plaster: Total Immersion (3-Day Class
April 30-May 2, 2009 (Thurs-Sat)
Go Golden: The Proceed Line (3-Day Class)
March 18-20, 2009 (Wed-Fri)
Posted in Classes, Event, Intonachino, Marmorino, Tadelakt, Venetian Plaster | No Comments »
Sunday, December 7th, 2008
I’ll be up in Edmonton this Friday and Saturday at our newest distributor’s location teaching a two day Stucco Italiano certification workshop. Anyone interested email me directly aaron@stuccoitaliano.us or call the studio - 206 838 5888.
I’m bringing my flannels.
Aaron
Posted in Classes, Event, Techniques, Venetian Plaster | 2 Comments »
Thursday, December 4th, 2008
We’re all looking for ways to ride out this economic downturn…
For those looking to earn some extra income:
- Environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional building materials, like installing Venetian plaster using our natural, lime based materials, is still a growing segment of the building industry. Smaller projects can be done on your own time (well, your client might have some input on that as well), so it can work for you as a supplemental income.
For those who are already professional contractors:
- If you’re already a plaster artisan, the material you’re using can have a big impact on your productivity. Experienced independent contractor Mozelle Spencer describes how using Stucco Italiano plasters helps her maximize her time and profits:
“I am so impressed with this product line. We love using Stucco Italiano on our job sites. The ease of use when burnishing the Marmorino has enabled us to create numerous gorgeous finishes. Finishes that once we avoided due to how labor intensive the high polish plasters were. The Carrara and Classic are our favorites. The clean up on job sites is easier and the use of time is more productive and profitable.“
For the plaster-curious, as well as the master plasterers who haven’t tried our superior lime-based plasters, we’ve provided a link to download our print-ready Stucco Italiano catalog.
Simply click on the picture below (be patient… it’s a large file).
And you can always visit our site, www.stuccoitaliano.us, for more plaster perusal.
What are your suggestions for riding this weak economy?
Posted in Business Tips, Green, Intonachino, Marmorino, Projects, Stucco, Tadelakt, Tips and Tricks, Venetian Plaster, photos | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
Steve Manby, plaster installer extraordinaire up in Vancouver BC writes:
“Stucco Italiano Intonachino sells itself !
project is almost done approx ….9,000 feet
kind of glows on the wall…I’m chalking it up to the double refraction from the lime crystals…it literally glows.
as usual pictures do not do wall finishes justice …I would have to set up a studio there to get good shots.
link here to 9 shots I took the other day.”
Actually here’s a couple of photos from one of Steve’s projects below and a link to his photo galleries here
Like Steve says, hard to do the finish justice, but I was up there a couple of weeks ago, and trust me, it’s beautiful. Nice house, too.
As those who have had the opportunity to work with true lime plasters know, The reflection of light on a lime plaster surface gives translucence which is vastly different to that from cement-based materials. -PD Marlow That is the unique nature of the calcium carbonate - it’s ability to refract and absorb light in such a complex manner.
Posted in Green, Intonachino, Marmorino, Projects, Stucco, Techniques, Venetian Plaster | No Comments »
