a very colored past

Stained glass design of the KKBE

 

The beauty of Historic Structures lie in that the final structure is something that is greater than just the sum of its parts.  Each step within the construction of the building attests to the skill of the artisan that worked on the different stages of the structure.  The detailing is where the beauty lies.  This is why I am always so struck by the intricate ornamental plaster patterns.  Or the ever so complex stained glass designs.  All of these elements work together harmoniously to bring about an expression of passion and pride in the built fabric of our cities.  And this is why altering these original designs can hinder the true meaning of a structure so greatly.  Preservationists and restorationists many times disagree on what actions should be taken to “restore” or “preserve” or even “maintain” a building.  The steps needed to be taken will always be an issue of contention in the professional realm, but as long as we are acknowledging the question of what exactly preservation entails, we will continue to move forward in providing the best care and the best plans for our shared built structures.

famous!

Made it on a blog holla! An image taken from the Atlanta show in January, slaving away from 8 in the morn’ til 8 in the eve….long days make for some disastrous hairstyles, please excuse the braided mess.

Tritter Feefer show room

(Image from designer Elizabeth Schmidt: http://www.elizabethschmidtinteriordesign.com/)

the ever iconic St. Paul’s

Get on board with ALLSAINTS.  You have to check out their quick video below for the most recent collection.  The shots they use of St. Paul’s Cathedral have me wishing I was back in London if only for the weekend.

ALLSAINTS Autumn Winter 2012 Campaign

inspiration abounds

The work of Susan Benarcik

Her website can be found here

“I emphasive efficiency in my practice, and consider the transformation of thought to be as important as the production of new work.”

a mid-august getaway

I know I’ve mentioned this a time or two before, but I am always amazed by the uniqueness of the Texture, Light, and Color of each city.  Different seasons present different opportunities and means of experiencing the built environment.  Last time I visited Boston was a few years ago in early November.  The cold had already set in and established itself as part of the daily routine of the city.  Less light meant for darker days and deeper yearnings.  The city scape did not serve as a source of exposure and expression, but rather as a harsh reality that must be met head on, face full of wind and snow. Needless to say my trip this time around was quite a different experience.  The city itself presented a much different attitude along with different textures, lights, and colors.  I was just lucky enough to be there to capture tiny tidbits of these special moments in the life of Boston.

Tiptoe-ing along the wharf

Backbay-ing it

Trinity Church

Ornamental Ironwork of Trinity

STUNNING marble

Medallion-ing and plaster ornamentation

Not many colors can beat that of the hues and depths of steel that are developed over time

crackle

A new finish I’ve been working on for some of my pieces.  Definitely did not achieve the look I was going for the first few times around but finally started to develop an application technique that I can get on board with!

the redwoods: the magnificence of the past

Brave Souls

trying to imagine the life of this tree1915 era loggers of Northern CA

Images by A.W. Ericson, Swedish photographer working during the  late 1800s/early 1900s. From the Ericson Collection: Humbolt State University Library.

for the love of books

So last week it was Christmas here at Master of Plaster.  We were sent 3 different boxes of books dating all the way from the early 1800’s from an individual who used to be involved with the company and upon moving, found these old relics that were no longer of use.  What a joy to add these to our beloved collections!  All are on historic architecture and ornamental design and stunning interiors.  The most amazing one?  A book that measures 2 and a half feet tall by a foot and a half long with a depth of 6 inches….published in 1891 in Berlin.  The pages have been beautifully preserved but I dare not peruse through them too much.  If only to translate the pages would be as easy as turning them.

There are so many best book lists out there nowadays it’s hard to keep ’em straight.  And there are so many books on my “to read” list I fear I won’t be able to read ’em all.  But this following list highlights some amazing titles, even if  you aren’t into Urban Design.  Great Streets by Allan Jacobs is an all-time fave of mine.

Planetizen’s Top 20 Books

ALLSAINTS SPITAFIELDS

Allsaints is my goto store. Always and forever.  Characterized by somber colors and outrageous cuts and diagonals, this company always gets it right when it comes to the feminine form and the desirable touch of class. And not to forget the ever iconic vintage sewing machine collections.  Full of sparkles and edginess, I was so not surprised to discover that they are on spar with their taste in music as well.  The basement sessions occur at their design studios in London.

Kyla La Grange

The Boston Public

Boston, MA.  What more can you really say to describe the grandeur of this city?  The city of Fenway and the RedSox.  The city of infamous tea parties. Of high society and social struggle.  The city of culture, design, innovation.  The city on a hill, set to serve as an example for all those to follow across the ocean.  Such a simple statement yet complex in its entirety.  It’s beauty lies in its interaction with the surrounding waterways and, for me, in its phenomenal history.  The freedom trail not only lays out important moments in our evolution as a country and a people, but also highlights the artisans and craftsmen upon which the country still stands.  The physical representation of history is a vital component of any society, and Boston is a city that understood this simple fact many many years ago.  The people have worked hard to maintain these structures so as to share the beauty of a country, and the beauty of the ideals of its citizens, with the rest of the world.  Of all the structures of this lovely city, the Public Library will always be my favorite.  Both for what it stands for and for it’s stunning ornamental plaster interiors.

Vaulted Ceiling Stunner

Detailing

Natural Light vs. Artificial

Scale and Proportion

Layers of detail and design

Marble Accents