Artwork & Ornament
In-depth reports examining the materials and techniques involved with the fabrication and restoration of traditional artwork and ornament for traditional and historic buildings, including art glass, statuary, stained glass, decorative painting, decorative finishes, ornamental metalwork, and more.
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Cast Stone
Cast stone, a faux material, has a long-standing history in the built environment.
How Suppliers Design Traditional Ornamental Ceilings
As the tides of taste recede from traditional ornamental ceilings, some venerable suppliers alter course with subtler ways to decorate.
Hand-Carved Stone Mantels
Nothing compares to old-fashioned hand-carved stone mantels when it comes to specifying custom details in a new or historic building.
Decorative Finishing: Grand Lodge of Maryland Masonic Temple
The challenges of restoring historic decorative finishing at the Grand Lodge of Maryland Masonic Temple.
A New Stained-Glass Church Dome
A look at the challenges of designing and constructing a 50-ft.-dia. stained-glass dome in a newly constructed church in Arkansas.
A Glossary of Fresco Painting Terms and Materials
Traditional Building's guide to common terms and materials associated with the historic fresco painting technique.
Buon Fresco Painting: Materials & Techniques
A look at the materials and historic techniques for creating Buon fresco--a painting executed on a freshly plastered wall.
Designing and Restoring Historic Art Glass
Designing and restoring historic art glass and stained-glass windows is a delicate balancing act that entails a unique combination of give and take between clients and craftspeople. Experts from leading studios tell Traditional Building what works, what doesn't work, and what they would like to see happen on each project.
The Benefits of Choosing Plaster Ornaments
Why should you choose plaster ornaments over modern-day alternatives? Plaster can be molded and sculpted on the job site to visually eliminate joints, seams, cracks and other defects, creating a nearly flawless look.
Ornamental Plaster in Today’s Traditional Market
The formula for historic ornamental plaster is still alive and well, but some new materials are making inroads in the field of interior ornament.
New Jersey Church Gets 14 New Stations of the Cross Paintings
The 1960s Church of Christ the King in New Vernon, NJ, now has 14 new Stations of the Cross paintings by Leonard Porter.
Restoring Eldridge Street Synagogue's Art Glass
Restoring the historic Eldridge Street Synagogue's art glass required 10 months of exhaustive design, fabrication, and site work.
The ABCs of Decorative Ornament
All about decorative ornamenting in commercial buildings.
Decorative Painting: Successful Projects in Sacred Settings
Today's decorative painters bring the spaces of sacred settings back to life.
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100 Year Window by Hull Millwork
Hull Millworks' 100 Year Window is a return to excellence and long-term performance. Brent Hull, a millwork craftsman,and custom builder has created a line of historically authentic windows built with superior materials and construction methods but with newer details for better energy efficiency.