Plaster Décor Is the Latest Design Trend You Need at Home

Nicole Franzen

There is something so alluring about the tactile quality of plaster. It has the power to transform a smooth, sterile surface into a warm, touchable one at the flick of a brush (and a trowel!). Of course, while this buzzed-about material is having a moment right now, plastering is certainly nothing new. It’s actually one of the most ancient building techniques.

In fact, some of the earliest plastering (both ingredients and technique) is comparable to the quality we use now. Plasterwork on the Egyptian pyramids dating back 4000 years is still hard and durable today, and lime stucco plaster was also used on temples in very early Greek architecture (earlier than the 5th century BCE)—a true testament to the durability and timeless nature of this humble material.

Now, plaster continues to be used as a medium of artistic expression from texturizing wall surfaces to ornamental moldings for ceilings and cornices, and even plaster décor, furniture, and artwork.

It’s this very timeworn material that revitalized Athena’s Amagansett home, injecting a contemporary mood into the traditional mid-century architecture. Walls that were once crisp white were made warmer and creamier after being covered in plaster by Kamp Studios who later used artistic license to create an artisanal fluted plaster design on the kitchen island (a nod to the similar fluting design that joins the closet to the master bathroom in Athena’s Brooklyn townhouse). It is at once both tonal and textural, elevated yet completely approachable, timeless and current.

Since then, we’ve seen a rise in plaster enthusiasts lathering their walls in the lime or gypsum (a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate) material or styling their spaces with decorative objects that have a plaster finish to achieve that raw and real aesthetic.

So, if you love a clash of materials and periods—and the tension and friction that brings—then get your DIY on and slather your walls in plaster, too (or hire the experts!) and seek out handmade plaster décor, lighting, and artwork in the age-old material to bring it home.

Shop Our Favorite Plaster Pieces

1. Athena Calderone x Simone Bodmer Turner, Vence Sconce

The Vence Sconce is one of two limited-edition pieces designed by Athena Calderone and Simone Bodmer-Turner. Inspired by shells often found in old European churches, the piece is a decorative ode to the holy water basins at Chapelle du Rosarie —a small church in the hillside north of Nice that was the iconic artist Henri Matisse’s final project for his nurse, caretaker, and muse Sister Jacques-Marie.

2. CB2 Bisque Plaster Side Table

Bring a unique sculptural touch to your space with this brutalist-inspired side table.

3. CB2 Verner 3-Tiered Pendant Light

This monochromatic white cast metal pendant is finished with an unexpected plaster-like texture to light up any room.

4. CB2 Vinia Multitaper Holder

Light up your dining table with this touchable texture.

5. CB2 3-Piece Fleur Off-White Vase Set

Bring added depth and warmth to your floral or branch arrangements with this plaster vase set.

6. CB2 Suva White Rough Cast Mirror

This rough hewn aluminum mirror has been given a sanded texture that feels almost plaster-like and we're into it.

7. Crate & Barrel Willy White Plaster Pedestal Side Table

Of course, Leanne Ford would make plaster cool. This bold conical pedestal with a simple round top has an earthy feel and rustic look to bring touchable texture home.