Applying Venetian Plaster in the master bath and kitchen
1 April, 2021
COVID-19 has had its effect on everyone; it forced Rik and Jennifer Lazenby to change the scope of their projects, and then it stalked them across the state. “We have had to be very thorough in following the guidelines as they apply here in Alabama,” said Rik Lazenby. “With that in mind, we had to change our focus from large residential/commercial jobs to smaller residential projects.”
While they’re based in Birmingham, last November, a builder at a residential remodel in Tuscaloosa asked them to consider installing Venetian plaster in a kitchen and a master bath. “We had already completed several Venetian plaster projects in the area and were eager to tackle another,” said Lazenby. “Upon arrival, we met in a social-distanced setting to discuss it.”
This project would prove these decorative painters are masters of subtlety; the homeowners wanted a white, polished Venetian plaster in the kitchen on the large hood over the stove as well as on the walls in her master bath — not a high gloss, but a soft sheen. And if it’s subtle the homeowners wanted, it’s subtle they got. “The application process requires troweling three layers of plaster over a primed substrate with stainless steel Pavan trowels,” explained Lazenby. “On the final pass, the plaster is burnished with the trowels to produce a beautiful shine. The result appears as a marble finish.”
They went back to Birmingham with a promise to return to repair any damage that might be created by the upcoming installation of a marble tub surround. “We received a call a week later explaining the wall faucet had to be moved, so we needed to replaster the repaired area,” said Rik. “We intended to return the next week but were told the husband and wife had contracted COVID-19 and were quarantining for two weeks. After that, the owners allowed us to return and finish the touch-ups.”
It was completed in time for Christmas, and the Lazenbys had a merry send-off. “Upon [our] leaving, the owners graciously thanked us for working with them and giving them their polished Venetian plaster for the holidays,” said Rik.
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