Create an elegant staircase with Easy Plaster of Paris and a mold

You’ve taken tours of mansions or been to old buildings where Victorian plaster leaves its mark on the walls, ceilings, and stairs. There is an unmistakable elegance that ornamental plaster adds to smooth surfaces. But I bet you don’t realize how easy it is to do. Especially when it comes to adding ornamental beauty to your staircase.

There is something mystical and majestic about a staircase. It tends to create fantasy and curiosity in us, as we have an overwhelming desire to see what is at the top of the stairs. But does its lack of a ladder appeal to you? Is it like any other staircase in any other house you have been in? Create a dramatic upstairs entryway with these simple and beautiful ideas.

In general, there are two areas in a staircase that lend themselves well to embellishment. These are the “L” shaped wall space where the riser and the top of the stair meet and, in the case of uncarpeted stairs, the face of the riser itself.

As you consider the “L” wall space, new lines, or ornamental plaster molds now on the market, open up your options for creating dramatic stair designs. Use them to create an ornate, romantic design next to each stairway to create beautiful detail and add architectural interest to the sides of the stairway.

Ornamental molds come in a variety of designs that work perfectly to create architectural interest and, in many cases, extreme detail. The truly wonderful part is that each project is incredibly affordable.

The best thing about ornamental plaster molds is that they are reusable. What that means is that you can make as many pieces as you want without worrying about reproduction costs. Plaster of Paris typically sells for around $7.00 for a large bag that will cast anywhere from 20 to 50 pieces depending on the side of the design.

Once the pieces are out of the mold and dry, they are easy to apply to the stair with a simple joint compound. No glue required!

How to make a mold
1. Simply turn the mold upside down and make sure it is level.
2. Lightly coat the inside of the mold by brushing it with mineral oil.
3. Mix the plaster of paris according to the instructions on the bag.
4. To fill the mold halfway, then tap up and down to get any air bubbles out of the design surface and up to the top of the plaster.
5. Slowly fill the mold to the top. Don’t overfill.
6. Let the plaster harden completely. If it is warm to the touch, the chemical reaction is not yet complete. Wait until it feels cool to the touch before removing hardened plaster.
7. To release the plaster piece, turn the mold upside down and place it on a soft surface. Gently lift one edge of the mold and start working the piece.

Plaster pieces must dry completely before they can be applied to walls, ceilings, or furniture. This process can last from a few hours to a few days, depending on atmospheric conditions, such as air humidity or low temperatures.

To apply the piece of drywall to the stair wall area, simply spread a thin layer (about 1/8-inch thick) of pre-mixed joint compound (also called “wall mud”) over the back of the part, press into the area on the ladder and hold for one minute. Fill in any gaps between the wall and the drywall piece with joint compound on your finger. Wipe off any excess with a damp sponge and allow to dry.

Plaster pieces can be prepainted if desired.

The same pieces of plaster can be used to create a circular design around the light fixture to coordinate with the staircase.

Decorate the vertical board
There are so many ways you can decorate your stairs. For example, consider using a raised plaster template or paint template on the riser of each stair to create visual details. Border designs work perfectly for this app.

Instead of using plaster, raised plaster templates allow you to use standard joint compound instead of paint as a medium.

Simply tape the template to the riser, spread joint compound over the openings in the template, remove the template and allow the compound to dry. Paint as you wish.

Your staircase design can be as simple or as ornate as you would like it to be. But the possibilities are endless! So don’t exclude this feature from your home when deciding on your decorating plan.

© Victoria Larsen 2009. All rights reserved