Journal

From the studio.

Thoughts on craft, material, and the slow work of making walls beautiful.

Venetian plaster layers
Decorative plaster

Why Venetian plaster looks different at every hour of the day.

The burnished surface isn't smooth — it's full of micro-topography that catches and scatters light in ways paint never can. Here's what actually makes it glow.

A
Ana Kleo January 14, 2025 · 6 min read
Microcement bathroom
Microcement

Microcement in the bathroom: what to know before you commit.

It's waterproof, seamless, and beautiful — but the prep work is everything. I walk through what we do differently.

December 9, 2024 · 4 min read
Botanical bas-relief sketch
Bas-reliefs

From sketch to plaster: how a bas-relief panel comes to life.

The design process behind our botanical relief panels — from the first pencil line to the final polish.

November 22, 2024 · 5 min read
Mural color study
Murals

How I choose colors for a room I've never painted before.

Every home has a different quality of light. Here's how I study it before picking up a brush.

October 30, 2024 · 3 min read
Marmorino texture close-up
Decorative plaster

Marmorino vs. Venetian plaster: which one is right for your space?

They look similar in photos. In person they feel completely different. I break down when to use each.

September 17, 2024 · 5 min read
Wall preparation
Behind the work

The 80% of the job clients never see.

Surface preparation determines everything. Here's how much work goes into the wall before I apply a single coat.

August 5, 2024 · 4 min read
Studio tools
Studio

The tools I use — and why I keep going back to the same five.

After twelve years you stop experimenting with tools and start trusting the ones that never let you down.

July 12, 2024 · 3 min read
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New articles, when they're ready.

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