Ken Wildes has been in the plastering profession for 40 years, the last 16 of which have been devoted to decorative ornamental plaster ceiling and wall treatment work.
His interior design skills in this field has taken him around the country, working closely with architects, interior designers, architectural engineers, and his clients.
The Plaster Artisan Behind Joshua & Co., Ken Wildes:
His period design plaster work styles have ranged from Adam Design, Tudor Design, Federal Period, Victorian design, French Design, Baroque, Art Deco, and Georgian Design, to name a few.
Ken has mastered plaster artistry and remains devoted to creating museum quality plaster work, whether it be flat plaster, decorative ornamental plaster, plaster cornice molding, plaster ceiling medallions, ceiling designs, wall panels, or wall mouldings.
110% of his time and effort is applied - producing only the finest work that exceeds every expectation on the commissions he has executed for:
- Historical plaster restoration
- Flat plaster renovation, according to historical period
- Recreating lost plaster work
- Period-style plaster wall and ceiling designs
- Venetian plaster projects
This site is devoted to Ken's own decorative ornamental plaster ceiling design and wall treatment work, which he designed, created and installed in concert with architects, interior designers and other artists. Soon, a new section will be added showing Ken's work in historic restoration and renovation, covering all aspects of the ornamental plaster trade by showing him restoring plaster walls and detailing ceiling restoration. Here will also be described the various buildings, including estate museums, historic homes, colleges, theaters, art museums, churches, opera houses and hotels around the country where Ken has performed the magic of his plaster restoration work.
Here is a brief sampling:
- Rosecliff Mansion (for the Newport Preservation Society);
- The Edith Wharton Estate;
- Torrington House Museum;
- Von Bulow Mansion;
- The Strand Theater;
- Providence Performing Art Center;
- Newport Opera Center;
- Harvard University;
- Providence College;
- Rhode Island School of Design (RISD);
- Brown University;
- Johnson and Wales University, and many others.
His Cornice molding are “Run in Place”, and not applied sections. Such work is custom, detailed to fit each client’s tastes.
His Medallions are generally comprised of numerous pieces, individually applied to the ceiling, not as just one piece. He uses a pastry bag to apply ribbons, leaves and vines. Full-scale ceiling and room designs can be created from any design style in history.
His designs are sketched at his shop and submitted to his clients for approval. In Ken words “If the math works, the design will be beautiful”. Ken consults with his clients, delivering custom work to meet each individual need, and which ultimately exceeds every expectation. The design possibilities are endless.
Ken has shared his expertise and knowledge with the Newport Historical Society. The Preservation Society of Newport County has also commissioned him to work on their world-renowned properties, such as Rosecliff Mansion.
- Beautiful Homes writes: “Giving New Architecture the Look of Antiquity.”
- Yankee Magazine decribes: “Plaster Perfect.”
- New Old House characterized it this way: “Where Angels Tread – Ornamental Plaster takes on a Heavenly Quality.”
- The Boston Globe states, “Revives a Lost Art” – “Awesome”
- Old House Journal writes: “Ken’s inventive and creative approaches bring classical harmony to the “Edith Wharton Estate”.
- The Orlando Sentinel named us: “The Master of Plaster”.
- Traditional Homes writes: “High Art”.
- Better Homes and Gardens cites: “HISTORY IN THE MAKING”.
- The New York Times cites his work as being: “Plaster Worthy of an Angel and creating a feeling of stepping back in time."
So please visit again soon to witness the ongoing creations of master craftsmen and artist, Ken Wildes, as he continues to define the field of decorative ornamental plaster.