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Waterfront Warehouse Rehab > Episode 12: Penthouse Interior Design

Applying Marmorino Plaster

Project: Waterfront Warehouse Rehab, Episode 12, Part 1

With major construction nearly complete in the penthouse apartment, interior design is ready to begin.

Project manager Chris Vila joins artisan Jonas Everets to learn more about the faux Marmorino finish that is being applied to the walls of the penthouse. A combination of marble dust, pigments, and plaster, Marmorino takes a bit of artistry to apply and gives the space a unique look. It is a multi-step process that involves masking-off the work area, applying a base primer coat, a top coat of tinted plaster, and finally a wax finish.

Next, Bob joins designers Jonathan Adler and Darren Brown to talk about their plans for the top-floor apartment. And finally, Bob travels into Manhattan to visit Adler's retail store in the SoHo shopping district.

Part 1: Applying Marmorino Plaster: Bob discusses the custom wall finish with Jonas Everets of Jonas Everets Design. The plaster Mr. Everets is using to cover the kitchen walls in the top-floor apartment is marmorino, a lime-based plaster (mixed with sand and marble dust), which has been utilized in Italy and elsewhere since the Renaissance. To create the unique color of the plaster, Everts has mixed raw umber, burnt umber, burnt sienna, yellow ocher, and a "touch" of Venetian red. With the primary coat having been applied to the far wall, Mr. Everets instructs project manager Chris Vila on techniques for applying marmorino, as Chris begins laying the plaster on another wall. The traditional method is to use a circular motion, but changing your stroke isn't discouraged, especially on the second coat, since that change adds to the artistry. It's only upon the second coat that the material becomes highlighted and more visually varied.
Part 2: Waxing Venetian Plaster
Part 3: Planning the Decor
Part 4: Touring the Jonathan Adler Soho Boutique

Bob Vila heads to the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, for this project involving an abandoned warehouse built in the mid-19th century. Bob's adaptive reuse will yield three ultra-hip apartments with commercial space at street level. Project manager is Bob's oldest son, Chris Vila, who helps guide this complete rehabilitation of a beat-up building in the city that never sleeps.

Also from Waterfront Warehouse Rehab

Episode 1 - Welcome to Brooklyn!
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Description:
Bob begins a project in Brooklyn, New York, in an area known as "DUMBO", or Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. With beautiful downtown Manhattan in the background, Bob delivers a brief history of Brooklyn's waterfront area. Next, he joins his son, Chris Vila, who is manager of the project, to discuss what's in store. Slated for three floors of residential space, the building will reserve its ground floor for commercial use. Jared Della Valle and Andrew Bernheimer chat with Chris about possible floor plans, while Bob talks with Jacker Beyer, of Beyer Blinder Belle, about restoring the façade.
Episode 2 - Demolition and Preservation in Brooklyn
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Description:
Bob and his son Chris tour a loft space in the nearby Sweeney Building. On top of stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and downtown Manhattan, the building boasts a "tar beach" rooftop deck.<br> <br> David and Jed Walentas of Two Trees Development communicate their vision for the area. Back on site, demolition is underway and preservation expert Bill Higgins, of Higgins and Quasebarth, tells us more about the history of the building.
Episode 3 - Interior Demolition, Water Taxi Tour, and Framing With Metal Studs
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Description:
Interior work and demolition are progressing simultaneously. Bob and his son, the project manager Chris Vila, review three weeks' worth of progress. Work performed to date includes removing an old elevator shaft and sandblasting exposed wood and brick surfaces. A new tongue and groove plywood subfloor is being installed and basic wall framing has begun. Also, Bob takes us on a water taxi tour to learn more about the history of heavy industry along Brooklyn's waterfront.
Episode 4 - Brick Façade Restoration and Window Installation
Episode 5 - Electrical Work, Navy Yard Tour, and Insulation Install
Episode 6 - Interior Construction and Skylight Install
Episode 7 - Rooftop Work and Wood Floor Installation
Episode 8 - Marble Tile, Cherry Cabinets, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music
Episode 9 - Stone Countertop Installation and Interior Trimwork
Episode 10 - Noise Reduction and Security
Episode 11 - Roof Deck and High-Tech Bathroom Features
Episode 13 - Brooklyn Project Wrap-Up

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