a vision in blue
blue and pearl grey wall colour harmonizes two different pattern of Vietri tiles on wall and floor
the lighter blue of the ceiling matches one hue of the wall tiles
stucco borders frame the painted areas
view from above (while painting the ceiling)
beautiful perspective of a blue bathroom dream
A "specialist worker" waxing the surface of spatolato finish in order to obtain a surface similar to polished marble.
Bath room with spectacular sea view
I wish I could be there! I have not seen it in reality yet. I only have these photos for now and have to wait for summer.
What a dream in blue!
Grazie Angelo!! You are becoming the new Michelangelo with this project! Thank you for choosing the right blue and for spending so much time on the spatulato technique.
I never had heard about "spatolato" before and was therefore a bit sceptical, but now I'm convinced that it's just wonderful. And I take it that it's also waterproof now that it is waxed?
ReplyDeleteThousands of years ago, there was a technique used to waterproof earthen cisterns in Northern Africa.
ReplyDeleteThe Romans learned it from the Egyptians and perfectionated the method. This is probably the connection between Maroccan Tadelakt and Venetian Spatulato. The latter seems more decorative and for interiors, the first is more waterproof and also for exterior use.
Here some more info about the technique of Venitian Spatulato and the similar Maroccan method of Tadelakt:
"Spatolato is the term which refers to a specific technique used in applying very fine stucco paste. The paste is made with marble dust, slaked and aged lime putty. The name Spatolato is derived from the Italian word Spatula which literary means working or applying with spatula and it refers to the technique of application process. Its characteristic appearance is due to criss-cross application in very thin layers using a spatula. It is also called Venetian Stucco as it is very popular in the Northern Italian region for decoratif finish of interior walls and ceilings."
"Tadelakt is a bright, nearly waterproof lime plaster which can be used on the inside of buildings and on the outside. It is the traditional coating of the palaces, hammams and bathrooms of the riads in Morocco. Its traditional application includes being polished with a river stone and treated with a soft soap to acquire its final appearance and water resistance. Tadelakt has a luxurious, soft aspect with undulations due to the work of the artisans who finish it; in certain installations, it is suitable for making bathtubs, showers, and washbasins and confers great decorative capacities. Traditionally, tadelakt is produced with the lime of the area of Marrakech."