This recent project in Montclair, New Jersey—an upscale suburb just outside New York City—focused on restoring the original architectural character of a high-end French bakery’s seating area. Over the years, the building’s historic plaster mouldings had been concealed behind layers of sheetrock, effectively hiding the craftsmanship that once defined the space. Our work began with careful exploratory removal, revealing surviving sections of ornamental plaster that served as the foundation for a full restoration.
Once exposed, we evaluated the condition of the original mouldings. While portions remained in fair shape, significant areas were damaged or missing entirely due to previous alterations. Our team fabricated custom knives to match the original profiles, allowing us to recreate the historic details with precision. Using traditional plaster techniques, we cast new sections, seamlessly integrated them with the existing work, and refined every transition to ensure continuity across the space.
The final result is a fully restored, one-of-a-kind plaster ceiling system that honors the building’s original design while meeting modern expectations. The revitalized mouldings now serve as a defining feature of the bakery’s interior, elevating the customer experience and reinforcing the property’s historic value. This work not only restores visual elegance but ensures the durability of these architectural elements for another century.
Call or text us at (201) 248-2861 to discuss what we can do for your beautiful old home.
Perimeter view showing sheetrock covering that concealed original historic mouldings for decades before removal.
Mid-restoration view showing exposed ceiling structure and preparation for plaster moulding reconstruction.
Detailed repair work illustrating reinforcement and rebuilding of damaged plaster sections prior to finishing.
Original historic moulding detail uncovered after sheetrock removal, used as a reference for custom reproduction.
Close-up of ornamental plaster profile during restoration, showing blending of original and newly cast elements.
Restoration process image showing custom plaster moulding installation and shaping using fabricated tools.
Close-up of the completed ceiling bays featuring intricately restored ornamental plaster mouldings with crisp lines and refined detail. This level of finish demonstrates museum-quality craftsmanship, seamlessly blending original elements with expertly reproduced sections for a flawless result.
Fully restored bakery seating area showcasing elegant, historically accurate plaster mouldings that define the entire space. The finished work highlights exceptional craftsmanship, bringing back the original architectural character while elevating the interior to a true high-end retail environment.