Friday, March 6th, 2009
Two weeks from now, hopefully. Our new web guy calls it a “blogsite”. Will be loaded with great info and be very easy to navigate.
Here’s a sneak peek at a screenshot of the home page currently under development.

We’re excited. What do you think?
Posted in Event, Venetian Plaster, social marketing | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
Intonachino has proven to be one of our most popular finishes for exteriors. Its naturally mold-resistant nature makes it perfect for the outdoors, even up here in the rainy northwest.
A while ago, I briefly mentioned a project Tom Williams is working on in Ballard using Intonachino Extra Fine and Medium. It’s worth taking another look. Click on the picture below to see more photos.

Of course, mold-resistance is great for optimal indoor air health as well, so intonachino and other lime plasters are also ideal for interiors. Quoting from this excellent article on lime plaster’s natural mold resistance; “the short answer as to why Venetian plaster is truly mold-resistant is that mold can only grow in an acidic and wet or damp environment. Venetian plasters breathe and do not retain moisture. Molds also require a food source and an acidic environment in which to multiply.”
For both health- and earth-conscious reasons, Venetian style Italian lime plasters are the way to go…
Posted in Green, Intonachino, Projects, Venetian Plaster | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Holiday Schedule for Stucco Italiano studio
Our Seattle studio will be closed for the holidays,
Dec. 24, 2008 - Jan. 2, 2009.
If you need a color match, place your order by TODAY (Wednesday the 10th) by 4:30 PM to ensure you get it before the holiday.
For all other orders, we recommend ordering by next Wednesday the 17th if you need to receive your material before the break. Call us at 206.838.5888.
The same deadlines apply for online orders.
Hope your holidays are nice– whether you spend them plastering or not!
Posted in Business Tips, Event, Projects, 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 »
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008
Subsequent to our fabulous trip to Vicenza and Venice to study under Stucco Italiano owner Giovanni Polistena, Venice reached its highest water levels since 1986 this week.
Here’s a photo Kay Lynn took in Venice during the trip:

…and here’s the same area this week, during the flood!

According to the New York Times, “Venice routinely floods several times a year, but in recent years the phenomenon has worsened. Experts say global warming is the main culprit.”
Hmmm… yet another reason to do your part to combat global warming by choosing green materials for your walls…
More photos of the flood, which is now receding, here.
Posted in Classes, Event, Green, Italy, Venetian Plaster, photos | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
We just got back from our Venetian plastering course in Vicenza, Italy, where we studied with Stucco Italiano manufacturer Giovanni Polistena.
We learned dozens of sophisticated and highly marketable techniques from a genuine master artisan. Gianni was a great host and remarkable teacher. We had a great time exploring the cities of Vicenza and Venice, as well as the Palladian villas of the Veneto. The villas are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are renowned across the Western world for inspiring architecture.
A student on the trip, Candie Trujillo, says:

“Thank you so much for an awesome experience!! Of course the main reason for going to Italy was to take the Stucco Italiano class and I achieved more than I thought possible. Gianni was awesome, and his knowledge was incredible. I feel very honored to have learned some of his skills, now mastering them will be quite a challenge. But just knowing I’ve learned from one of the best in his field, I feel I already have a jump start. Kay Lynn did a great job in organizing the class and keeping us informed, and her fun attitude made the trip plans go that much easier. I also was able to meet some fun and interesting people in the class and become friends with many of them and their families. We shared business ideas and trade secrets that has already helped me improve in my own business. Thank you so much Aaron for the opportunity to be taught and enlightened in the great and true art of plastering, I will gladly recommend it to anyone who is up for the challenge.”

Take a look at more photos from the Italy trip here. Hopefully we’ll make it there again next year.
Posted in Business Tips, Classes, Event, Italy, Tips and Tricks, Venetian Plaster, photos | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
You are invited to preview this new luxury home on Gig Harbor!
When: Friday, Dec. 5; 12-5 PM
Where: 1314 115th Street Court NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Join us for a look at a beautiful new home, filled with the finest Stucco Italiano finishes created by Vlad & Sons. Click here to see more photos of the house.
About the space:
- Old world finishes - classic architecture and finishing.
- Featuring Stucco Italiano Italiano plasters.

Join us for wine and snacks, and be inspired by one of the finest homes in the area.
Let us know if you think you can make it (info@stuccoitaliano.us or 206.838.5888).
Hope to see you there!
Posted in Business Tips, Event, Green, Marmorino, Projects, Stucco, Techniques, Tips and Tricks, Venetian Plaster | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 15th, 2008
Last week we had a round of our Venetian Plastering classes with new students from all over the country. One of the great benefits of our Stucco Italiano Certification (VP2) and Advanced (VP3) courses is the opportunity to not only perfect your techniques by working on the sample boards, but to also get the feel of working on larger surfaces, and even real walls. Scroll down to see photos of Gary helping remodel our new conference room, building his real-world Venetian plastering expertise.
Here are some photos from Venetian Plastering 2:








. . . and Venetian Plastering 3 . . .





If you’re a former student of ours and are looking to update your skills, consider taking advantage of our Portfolio Builder and Product Update Workshop next month: November 14-15. You pay for supplies only, have the chance to work on large surfaces, and learn the hottest new finishes. And of course, network with your fellow artisans as we go out to dinner Friday night!
Posted in Business Tips, Classes, Green, Intonachino, Marmorino, Stucco, Tadelakt, Techniques, Tips and Tricks, Venetian Plaster, photos | 1 Comment »
Friday, October 10th, 2008

Tadelakt is quickly becoming the favorite finish for many of our customers and their clients. The finish is known for its beautiful exotic aesthetic and its durability, especially water-resistance. In fact, Tadelakt is traditionally used in the Hammans, Moroccan steam baths.
Our friend Steve Manby up in Vancouver just did an impressive job applying Tadelakt on some columns.
Check out his photo gallery here: http://authenticplaster.jalbum.net/tadelakt%20columns/index.html
Posted in Business Tips, Green, Projects, Tadelakt, Venetian Plaster | No Comments »