Visit the VictoriaLarsen.com website for Ornamental Plaster Molds, Raised Plaster and Painting Stencils and scads of ideas, techniques and inspiration.
Add a 3rd Dimension to your
Faux Finish Business
We introduced you to
raised plaster stencils a few years ago and have watched the faux finish
industry come alive with adding the technique of raised designs to their
portfolio of services.
But now, you can take
the concept of raised designs a step further by incorporating molded ornamental
plaster in to your line up of specialty finish services. Combined with raised
plaster stenciling, a new dimension in wall design can be easily achieved and
serve to set you apart from the competition.
From highly ornate
ceilings and walls in mansions and commercial buildings, to more simplistic ornamental
plaster moldings and ceiling medallions in more modest homes, ornamental
plaster has survived decades of décor style changes and is still a beloved
trend that never truly goes out of fashion.
Typically considered
a “Traditional” decorating style, ornamental plaster can easily be adapted to
even the most contemporary decorating styles. That’s where you and your
creativity come in to play.
The truly great thing
about ornamental plaster is that it is a highly profitable service, yet because
there are few in the faux industry who provide this service, you can command
top dollar for it’s inclusion in wall or ceiling designs.
Molds are inexpensive
and re-usable over and over. Since plaster of paris is a “pennies per piece”
medium, costs are minimal, leaving you with the bulk of the project charge in
your pocket.
So what about
installation difficulty? It’s so easy you won’t believe it.
Common joint compound
mixed with a little white glue (such as Elmer’s) is used as the adhesive today,
where actual plaster of paris was used at the turn of the century.
How durable is the
adhesion? My first cast plaster ceiling medallion was installed 4 years ago and
to this day shows no signs of stress cracks, separation or disintegration of
any of the plaster pieces or joints.
Simply butter the
back of the molded plaster piece with a 1/8th inch layer of the
joint compound mixture, hold to the surface for 60 seconds and its there for
good.
Ornamental plaster alone
is very beautiful. Now combine it with raised plaster stenciling as the
backdrop and you have an unusual design element to offer your clients.
Designing with
ornamental plaster pieces is no different than designing with stencils. In many
cases, one simple design element can be repeated to create unique elements such
as detailed ceiling medallions, ornate wall frames, central motifs or molded
borders and trim.
Wherever you would do
raised stenciling, you can also do cast plaster. Ceilings, walls, fireplaces,
back splashes, tiles, moldings, doorways, even exterior applications.
Ceiling designs and
medallions are a big seller for faux professionals. Now, offer your clients one
that was hand crafted out of raw plaster, with unbelievable dimension and watch
what happens to your bottom line, your profit margin and your customer
satisfaction.
See the picture
tutorials on our website:
How to Cast and Apply
Molded Plaster
How to Combine Cast
Plaster Ornamentation to Raised Plaster Stenciling
My motto has always
been; “When faced with the competition on your heels, simply out design them”.
This is your opportunity to do just that and to do it with style.
