McAndrews Bookshop and Cafe will be opening for business in the fall of 2004. Located in Mckinney, Texas in the Historical Collin County Prison, built in 1880 by Architect F.E. Ruffini.

Plasters of Italy provided the new look for the interior walls adding a warm Italian feel to the original plastered walls. The Project included the removal of multiple layers of epoxy paints and polyurathane coatings. These types of chemical based coatings created an unhealthy enviroment and prevented the plaster from breathing correctly.

After the paints were removed we found the original plaster to be in good condition considering the age of the plaster and abuse over time. Safra manufactures in the development of formulations outperforming the present market standards in some respect whether technically or aesthetically. Safra Colors Inc. are very respected all over Europe, Italy, Germany, and Japan.

In the application phase of restoring the original plaster along with the decorative effect of the building, was to create a natural look to the aged plaster. The first application was our bonding agent called Firmonova a liquid water based sealer and bonding agent essential for obtaining a good bridge between the substrate and product. Next we applied the Aquarello Primer which is the undercoat for the Aquarello Finisher that provides stability and protection to the delicate surface. The Finisher was applied in the natural tones of the limestone that was set in 1880. This application and decoration of the original plaster will give strength and old world beauty to the interior that will last a very long time.

The non-historical walls in the bathrooms that are sheetrock have also been treated with our limestone product called prontomuro, made of pure lime and selective sands. The Aquarello was used over the lime creating a real stone wall that is highly durable, and will last forever.

Product Description:

Aquarello Primer and Finisher: It is a covering and uniforming paint, resistant to acids and alkali to be used as an undercoat to protect and decorate internal or external surfaces on civil plaster. It is composed of quartz flour, rutile titanium dioxide, PAC reinforcement and of water dilutable acrylic resin with a high resistance to saponification and unalterable over time. It controls the plaster carbonation without provoking damaging effects on the surface strengthening. It keeps alkalinity stable thus preventing the crumbling and degradation of the plasterwork. It resists perfectly to rain and frost while keeping the support transpiration.

EFFECT NAME: AQUARELLO

EFFECT DESCRIPTION: Uneven Stain

SUITABILITY: Exteriors / Interiors

TOP FEATURE: Aerosol Graffiti Resistant

INTENDED USE: Urban historical buildings

BINDER: Synthetic Water-Based

APPLICATION: Brush

May be used on common support (drywall, concrete, chalk), excellent on concrete inside or outside (its properties makes concrete last longer). Extremely resistant outside – Alkalis and Acids resistant

Non allergenic

Athermic and soundproof

May be fixed – No Patches visible after repair

Easily washable – High pressure systems may be used.

Transpirating