News & Blog
Read about our favourite subjects and news on the latest interior design trends
Why Venetian Plaster is a Superior Wall Finish
You've done most of the major construction, or you're just starting, and you're probably thinking, 'what should I use as a finish to cover my walls?' the answer is quite simple, Venetian plaster. If you know what Venetian plaster is, then you probably know what we're...
How Do I Make Furniture From Microcement?
Yes, you can make furniture from microcement. Before you start you will need to determine your core material. You will need a structural material like plywood or some kind of metal to act like rebar does in regular concrete, to give it strength and durability. Then it...
What are the best methods to waterproof concrete?
Waterproofing concrete helps avoid penetration of waterborne contaminants and chemicals that can cause damage. There are different methods for waterproofing concrete during the construction process including the use of the sheet membrane where a polymer sheet...
The Amazing Versatility of Venetian Plaster
Venetian plaster is one of the hottest trends these days. Due to its amazing polished finish and aesthetics, it is becoming more and more popular among homeowners. From offering a highly stylish and vintage-like look and feel to your home, Venetian plaster has a lot...
What is a Micro Topping for Concrete?
There is a seemingly unending supply of choices when it comes to finishing your interior and exterior surfaces these days. From regular plaster and paint to Venetian Plaster, from tiles to wallpaper, but one particularly intriguing option is concrete micro-topping....
What are the Strongest Concrete Mix Ratios?
Mixing concrete is something of an art form in that there is not one single ratio that is suitable for every situation. Some mixes are more watertight; others offer more strength. When it comes to mixing the strongest possible concrete, the best concrete mix ratio is...
How Much Does Concrete Weigh?
The Weight of Concrete Concrete—one of the most in-demand substances on the planet—is no gentle touch when it comes to weight. Largely made up of sand and stone-based aggregates, it is a pretty heavy material, but how much does it weigh? And in what state are we...
Will We Run Out of Concrete?
Are We Going to Run Out of Concrete? In today's climate-conscious world, it is increasingly common to wonder about the long term viability of anything that relies on natural resources, given how readily we gobble those resources up, and the growing demand for...
How is Concrete Made?
Concrete from Cement Despite its deceptively complex nature, the process of making concrete is actually very simple. That is, it is very simple if you pick things up from the point where a regular contractor or DIY enthusiast comes in. For them, concrete is made by...
How Many Bags of Cement do I Need for 1 Cubic Metre?
What Makes Up A Cubic Metre of Concrete? Cement isn't always the easiest thing to budget for, given that it is mixed with other materials to make concrete, and that concrete is poured, sometimes into unconventional shapes. Still, it helps to know roughly how many bags...
Why is Concrete so Cheap?
Why is Concrete So Cheap? Concrete is the most pervasive construction material in the modern world, being used in everything from a small garden shed base to enormous skyscrapers, and one of the reasons for this is how cost-effective it is, but why is concrete cheap? ...
Is Dot and Dab Worth Doing?
Dot and Dab - Is it Worth Doing? When embarking on a new build or renovating a property, or just refinishing a single room, there are a lot of decisions to make, both in a fundamental sense and in an aesthetic one. One such decision is the way you want your walls to...
Is Concrete a Natural Product or Manmade?
Is Concrete Man-Made or Natural Concrete is one of the most in-demand materials in our world today, second only to water by some estimates, but despite the pervasiveness of this construction material, few people really know much about it. How concrete cures is one of...
Is Cement Stronger Without Sand?
Is Concrete or Cement Stronger Without Sand? Cement is the most widely used construction material in the world, second only to water in terms of global demand. It is a versatile, relatively cheap substance that can be used to create extravagant and austere structures...
How to Mix the Perfect Render Mix For Your Exterior Wall
How to Mix the Perfect Concrete Render Rendering a wall is the kind of thing usually best left to professionals, but in a world of endless YouTube videos tutorials and DIY blogs, it's only natural that many people will feel the urge to take the occasional task on...
Can I Concrete Straight Over Old Concrete?
Can I Repair Old Concrete by Pouring New Concrete Straight Over It? When there is no structural damage to old concrete, it's perfectly fine to pour a new layer over it. Minor imperfections are not a big deal, but big damage is a sign of big problems. If those problems...
How do you Clean Tadelakt?
Keeping Tadelakt Clean Tadelakt has seen something of a popularity boom in recent years, is increasingly found in rooms across the globe, outside of its native Morocco. It shouldn't be surprising that this distinctive lime-based plaster, with its host natural...
Understanding the Four Main Properties of Concrete
Four Defining Features of Concrete Concrete is undoubtedly one of the most important materials in our long history as a species. Thanks to concrete, we have been able to build structures that protect us from the elements, provide renewable energy sources, advance...
What is the Difference Between Concrete and Cement
Concrete VS Cement Concrete and cement often get confused by people who do not work with them on a regular basis, and with good reason. Despite their differences, cement and concrete are often used interchangeably, even by people who know the difference. As it turns...
What is the Process That Makes Concrete go Hard?
How Concrete Cures There is a common misconception that concrete goes hard when it has "dried out"; this is almost the opposite of what actually needs to happen when fresh concrete is poured. The process of concrete going hard is called curing, and it is a little more...
Adding Texture and Chic to a Neutral Wall
Planning Cool Wall Ideas Decorating is one of those tasks that can be simultaneously extremely rewarding and incredibly frustrating. For those select few that have a flair for interior design, it may not be such a difficult job to come up with a theme that ticks all...
Fun Things You Can Make With GFRC Concrete
Having Fun with Concrete Concrete has enjoyed a serious boost in PR in recent years. Sure, ancient civilizations like the Romans and Greeks used their version of concrete to make extravagant structures, some of which survive today, but the more recent history of...
What is Travertino Stucco Wall Finish?
Travertine Plaster Finish When looking at lime platers such as Venetian Plaster, or Tadelakt, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking these plasters are only intended for use where a smooth, luxurious finish is required. The glass-like finishes of something like...
What is Marmorino Stucco?
Marmorino a Classic Wall Finish When it comes to finishing interior and exterior surfaces, there are a plethora of options out there to choose from. In terms of modern cement-based plaster, there's not a lot to talk about. There are different kinds, sure, but it is...
Modern Wall Finishes – Adding Cool to a Blank Space
Wall Finish Ideas Wall decorating has moved passed a simple coat of paint or a sheet of wallpaper in the past decades. Now you can turn them into anything from super smooth and glossy surfaces to textured wonderlands. But, what should you go for when you want to make...
What is Tadelakt Plaster Traditionally Used For?
Tadelakt - Timeless & Modern Tadelakt, a traditional Moroccan lime-based plaster, is very popular for use in wet rooms, such as bathrooms and showers, but that was not always the case. Tadelakt has been around for approximately two thousand years, which, needless...
What is Intonachino Plaster
Intonachino - Traditional Lime Plaster There are many options available when it comes to choosing a finish for your walls or ceilings, and plenty of them are traditional offerings that have been in use for centuries, if not millennia. Intonachino is one such...
Can I Make My Own Concrete Countertops?
Concrete Countertops Having a sturdy, durable countertop that also looks great is something that can often be undervalued in a kitchen. Granted, sometimes finances dictate what kind of countertop you can realistically put in your kitchen, and wooden countertops are...
Why is Moroccan Black Soap Used with Tadelakt Plaster?
Tadelakt and Tadelakt Soap Tadelakt plaster is a traditional Moroccan surface finishing that has been in use for around 2,000 years and offers a very distinctive look that is similar—but not the same as—Venetian plaster. If you have ever considered this remarkable...
What is a Green Roof?
Roof Tops Going Green Overpopulation and the development of natural land into built-up areas have led to severe concerns over the environment, specifically, the imbalance that we are causing by removing sources of oxygen—plantlife—while increasing sources of carbon...
What GRC or GFRC is Used For?
Fibreglass as Rebar in Concrete Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete—commonly referred to as GRC and GFRC—is, as the name suggests, concrete that is reinforced with fibreglass. But what can GFRC be used for? This building material can be used for many applications but is...
What is White Portland Cement?
White Portland Cement - Concrete White Portland cement is a type of cement that is known for its characteristic whiteness and is typically used for decorative work and prestige projects. The process of making the cement white involves significant changes to the...
Can You Mix Venetian Plaster and Cement – Why Would You?
Mixing Your Mediums There are a few ways to look at the notion of mixing Venetian Plaster and cement, with the answers being wildly different depending on which of these notions we are considering. The first—and most obvious—way of mixing Venetian Plaster and Cement...
What is Tadelakt Plaster?
Plastering Costs Tadelakt plaster is a traditional form of plaster that originated in Morocco and has been used for thousands of years. Since those early days, it has become quite popular in the western world, particularly for wetrooms, as bathrooms and shower...
What are the Best Sealers for Venetian Plaster?
Plastering Costs Ordinarily, we would like to answer any question posed by one of our posts at the top, and then go on to expand on our answer for those interested. We can't do that here. The sheer variety of styles of Venetian Plaster makes it impossible to pick just...
Why is Plastering so Expensive?
Plastering Costs Plastering is an expensive process due to several things; however, time and labour is the most significant factor in the cost of getting plastering work done. Plastering is a process that can't be rushed, which means it requires more time on the part...
What is the Difference Between Microcement and Venetian Plaster?
Venetian Plaster VS Microcement There are several differences between microcement and Venetian Plaster, and we will get into them all in this article. The primary difference, however, is that microcement is a durable, hard-wearing surface that looks great. In...
What is Venetian Plaster Made From?
Venetian Plaster Elegance Venetian Plaster can be made from different ingredients depending on the desired finish; however, the traditional makeup of Venetian Plaster is little more than limestone and water. Limestone is mixed with water to create a putty-like...
What are the Different Types of Venetian Plaster?
Venetian Plaster Venetian plaster is a popular type of plaster that has been around for centuries. It is characterised by the intricate patterns that are visible when done correctly and is often a decorative centrepiece in its own right, rather than merely a finish to...
What is Microcement?
Microcement for Walls and Floors Microcement is a type of cement that is polymer-modified to give it a range of desirable properties that regular cement lacks. It has superb gripping power and can be applied to a much more extensive range of surfaces. The polymer...
Feature Wall Ideas – What’s Cool and On Trend
Interior Wall Design Ideas 2020 Owning your living space goes a long way in turning it into a personalised sanctuary. Feature walls are the best way to accentuate your dull home and give it a bit of flair. It's also an ex way to show off, keeping your pesky...
Venetian Plaster Render Australia
The Basics: What is Venetian Plaster? Venetian plaster render is a wall, ceiling or floor finish that is applied by using lime plaster. In this type of render, lime-based products are used to achieve artful and unique finishes. Lime is an incredibly flexible material...
Microcement – A Modern Wall Finish
Microcements - Not Just for Floors Microcement is a coating used for modern finishes that has become popular over the last few years. Homeowners and commercial businesses across Australia prefer microcement when considering interior or exterior refurbishment projects....
Decorative wall plaster – 3D wall art
Trenditional Textured Wall Designs Decorative wall plaster, as the name indicates, is a technique in which plaster is applied directly on a surface to create decorative 3D wall art. Although it can be applied to any interior or exterior surface, decorative plaster is...
Textured Finishes – Lime Plaster Techniques
Texture is a Limitless Finish Lime plaster has been used as a material for building and finishing various surfaces since thousands of years. Lime plaster applications are incredibly durable and flexible. Finishes achieved with lime plaster can be applied on a variety...
Solid Rendering – A Modern Twist
Concrete & Plater Render Solid rendering is when a craftsman applies a coating on a surface to achieve a plaster or cement finish. This coating is applied by hand in contrast to the off-the-shelf sheets that may be installed on a surface. A surface that is...
Venetian Stucco – Progressing in the Modern Era
Plaster - A Timeless Tradition Venetian stucco is a type of finish that can be applied to walls, ceilings and other surfaces. It is also commonly known as Italian lime plaster, polished plaster or Venetian plaster. Venetian stucco has been in used for well over a...
Italian lime plaster – A traditional and timeless wall finish
What is Italian lime plaster? Italian lime plaster is a type of interior finish that can be used on a variety of surfaces. Although it was historically used in Italy, Venice and other areas of Europe, the material has become popular in recent years. Homeowners and...
