Casts From the Past XII

Casts From the Past is a recurring retrospective of select Palladio GFRG projects.

Though we love the look of pristine white plaster, we have to admit that everything from faux wood grain to painted filigree looks incredible on the right pieces.

A good old before-and-after shot providing pictorial evidence of why we are often contracted for our restoration work.

Is it possible to run a profile in the form of a curve? Certainly! A radial track and a rotating arm allow plaster to become a moulding for an arch, dome, or any other arc.

Two oft-employed methods of sculpting relief pieces: you can band-saw the shape from a piece of plaster of the correct thickness and carve the details. Or be kinder to your hands and use clay. Either way, you’ll still be alternately moulding and sanding to finish.

In our studio, medallions  -- or "ceiling centers" or "ceiling roses" -- are any elliptical ornament that surrounds a central light fixture (left). Everything else is a "rosette" (right).