Hayles and Howe, Inc. is located in Baltimore, Maryland on the east coast of the United States. In the late 1980’s, two senior craftsmen from England’s Hayles and Howe Ltd. were contracted to restore the scagliola in the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton, NJ. Because of their superior work, more projects were contracted, more craftsmen were sent to the US from England, the Hayles and Howe reputation grew until it became clear that a United States plasterwork and scagliola company would flourish.
In 1990, Hayles and Howe, Inc. was incorporated and under the leadership of Graham Banks, the company has grown steadily in reputation, in workforce, and in a consistent workload of prestigious projects. From its beginnings as a British/American company, Hayles and Howe Inc. has become even more international, now employing many fine artisans from Central and South America. The company workshop and offices have made progressive moves to three locations in the Baltimore area where the present office spaces are resplendent with the company’s own ornamental plasterwork and the workshop space is ample for any size and combination of projects.
All artisans are trained by Hayles and Howe, Inc. to its standard, and to sustain interest in the traditions of plasterwork for historic restoration as well as new and modern applications, the company offers educational opportunities: university student workshop tours, continuing education credit presentations to architects and designers, and classes designed for graduate student independent study. Originating in the heart of the finest European ornamental plasterwork and scagliola traditions, the Hayles and Howe, Inc. sensibility broadens the American understanding of the practicality and beauty of plaster finishes and decoration.
Hayles and Howe, Inc. offers design, drafting, mouldmaking, running, casting and installation of ornamental plaster; lathing and application of gypsum, clay and acoustic plaster smooth finishes; and design, fabrication, and installation of marezzo and traditional scagliola. The company specialists are equally comfortable with historic restoration and new design, and they are always available for consulting.
It seems many persons believe that traditional plasterers no longer exist. They seem to think plastering is a lost trade. I can’t tell you the number of times that when I tell someone I work for an ornamental plastering company, they say to me in reply “There aren’t any people that do that intricate detailed work any more.” Well, we here at Hayles and Howe do just that and can help anyone with finishes for homes or commercial buildings. We can make old plaster look new, or we can design for new construction “from scratch.”
