| OFF THE PLASTERED WALLS! WITH ART A LA | | | | magazines. |
| CARTE | | | | She specializes in one-of-a-kind plaster finishes, |
| Plaster is rich in History: the Ancient Egyptians | | | | using a wide range of organic aggregates for |
| used plaster in the making of the Cheops | | | | unusual textures, and then washes the walls in |
| Pyramid, which is thought to be built between | | | | warm, Mediterranean color glazes in the manner |
| 2589 and 2566 BC! | | | | of an "Aquarelle", resulting in a beautiful, |
| From the Middle East to India, Egypt to China, to | | | | somewhat transparent appearance. She then, oil, |
| Greece and the ancient Roman Empire, plaster of | | | | wax or buff them to a warm, antique patina, |
| some kind was used almost everywhere in the | | | | depending on the effect desired. |
| Old World. | | | | "No matter what the final touch is, the walls |
| Techniques have been developed to give plaster | | | | always end up revealing Catherine's ingenuity, |
| an incredible range of different effects. With | | | | says interior designer Anna Bickford of Interior |
| imagination and skills, refinement of techniques, | | | | Details of Greenwich, Ct; she's always looking for |
| these unique surfaces can be used in many home | | | | ways to evolve, to add new elements, to reach |
| style decor, such as Old World, Traditional or | | | | new levels as an artist...". |
| Modern. | | | | You will recognize Catherine Simms artistic |
| Today, plaster walls have caught the attention of | | | | signature; the walls will show her distinctive hand |
| architects and interior designers- and the reason | | | | through subtle variations in texture, color, sheen |
| is...? Have you ever marveled the gorgeous | | | | and style. |
| plastered walls in Italy? These ancient walls which | | | | From her fiber and grass plasters, her seeded and |
| grow even more beautiful with age were | | | | coral ones, the French blue hand-painted Damask |
| plastered with a technique the Italians call | | | | to her favorite one "Molokai Red Dirt ", Simms' |
| "Decorative Stucco". | | | | plaster works are unique, artfully created tactile |
| If you would like to unleash your inner interior | | | | surfaces and always a conversation piece. |
| designer and refresh your wall treatments with | | | | "Her unique and beautiful wall treatments seem to |
| beautiful plaster finishes, Catherine Simms from | | | | add depth and movement to a space...the colors |
| ART A LA CARTE has been called "the go-to | | | | influence my mood on a daily basis...when you |
| artist" for specialty plaster finishes... | | | | touch the walls, you can feel that "je ne sais quoi |
| Born and raised in Brittany, France, Catherine | | | | " element..." a client says. |
| Simms is an artist based in Stamford, Connecticut. | | | | "And there is nothing fake about it! This is the real |
| She studied The Arts at l'Ecole des cadres in | | | | thing, this is true Art..." another one claims. |
| Neuilly-sur-Seine (Paris), France. She has been | | | | This is not your typical manufactured "plaster |
| working with interior designers, architects and | | | | faux-finish in a can" says Simms, which is usually |
| home owners in Fairfield, Westchester counties | | | | just a very thick acrylic paint which is applied in |
| and Florida for many years. | | | | simple manner and does not require any special |
| Her work has been featured in different | | | | training. Its attempt to mimic the appearance of |
| publications such as the Robb Report Luxury | | | | stone or marble can be very deceiving, because it |
| Home, the Westchester Home and Garden and | | | | looks like what it is: fake! |
| the Stamford/ Greenwich Advocate Home | | | | |