STUDIO PLASTER WALL

My love affair with all things vintage continues in my studio.  I have always been fond of vintage store fronts.  The type with old signage and peeling plaster.  Because of that, I've had a project in mind for my studio for a long time and finally found the centerpiece I needed to begin this project. 

It's a poster from the Empire Sewing Maching Company (est. 1861).  This baby is large!  54x36 to be exact.  My mission was to "age" her.  So the first thing I did was take it outside to my back porch along with a spray bottle of water, a pair of scissors and a rock from my garden. 

I went at it for about 30 minutes transforming her.....

 just getting started

The next step in the process was plastering.  I used DAP Patching Plaster.  There was absolutely no science to it, other than I wanted it to look as if the plaster had been falling off over time.  So, a combination of plaster, white washed brick and the red brick shining through in various spots across the expanse of the wall.                                                                                                               

 As I was putting up the plaster, I realized the print on the poster was still too vibrant.  Nothing that some sanding couldn't take care of!  Yup.  I literally sanded the poster.  It worked great.  Really fading the colors nicely.  Oh, and I also tore it some more since it needed more aging.

inside the dressing room

                 Then it was a matter of plaster, step back, add more, step back, etc., etc., White washing the (faux) brick was done with white paint and various sponge brushes, and regular brushes.  Some paper towel, water, a little bit of everything really. 

The final step was sanding the plaster not only to smooth it, but also to create some additional negative space where needed.

There's a couple more transformations that I'm still working on for this space.  The curio cabinet is being toned down from a pale blue to a grey.  Also, I have a neutral slipcover due in for the love seat.  Fingers crossed, it's going to work well since the floral pattern needs to go and I really don't want the expense of re-upholstering.