Venetian Plaster

A Beautiful Finishing Render

What Is Venetian Plaster?

Venetian plaster describes the ancient method of applying a stuccoed surface coating over walls. Sometimes referred to as lime plaster, it consists of a putty made from fired limestone and marble dust, mixed with water and applied in layers. As the surface is burnished after application, it develops a finish that is able to imitate the look of natural stone, like marble.

Today’s products contain acrylic polymers that produce a more durable and long-lasting surface. The lime is replaced with resins to achieve intense color effects that aren’t possible with the use of lime. Gypsum plasters that are used today aren’t meant for outdoor use as the traditional lime blends, as repeated exposure to water will damage the plaster. However, the old lime blends will still perform fantastically outdoors, and hold up well in any sort of water exposure.

How Has Venetian Plaster Traditionally Been Used?

Venetian plaster use dates back to ancient Rome. Vitruvius, the famous Roman Architect, wrote about its use in Di Architettura. It was revived in the 16th century by the Italian architect Andrea Palladio when he was looking for lightweight solutions for the palazzos of Venice. It was yet again brought back to the forefront of architecture and design by Carlo Scarpa, and is featured in the Olivetti Shop in Venice today.

The premise behind the traditional use of Venetian Plaster is the ability to look like natural stone without the expense and labor of hauling and hanging huge stone slabs. It has a natural resistance to mold and mildew, so use in the waterways of Venice was ideal. The protection that Venetian plaster provides to walls and ceilings in moist environments is unrivalled even today.

The use on such surfaces as curved walls and in place of marble in columns is especially useful because of the reduction in costs for materials and labor. Venetian plaster application used to require a skilled craftsman, but with the new products on the market today, a skilled do it yourself can apply Venetian plaster with a little practice and self-training. The changes to the technique to allow application on flat drywall surfaces lends to the ability of non-skilled individuals to learn to apply Venetian plaster at home.

How Is Venetian Plaster Being Used Today?

Venetian plaster is gaining a lot of ground in today’s architecture and design because of its durability and long-lasting, mold and mildew resistant applications. It’s especially useful on surfaces that are frequently exposed to moisture and humid conditions, but the use of actual stone slabs would be costly and impractical.

Applying plaster to walls, raised or curved surfaces, and ceilings lend a heightened stucco-like appearance and texture. The method of application is quite simple, but the drying and finishing can be time-consuming, especially for the do it yourselfer. Starting with thin, smooth layers, they are built up to thicker, textured layers that work in patterns. After the final layer is applied, it is lightly sanded to polish and remove any imperfections that would eventually lead to chipping or cracking. The end result is a semi-gloss marbling effect that has subtle color and texture variations that change with lighting and the angle from which it is viewed.

There are several different variations on Venetian plaster that are currently in use today. One is the Marmorino technique, which is based on popular Renaissance designs. In the Marmorino technique, crushed marble and lime putty are used, and it allows for wider ranges of textures and colors that resemble the appearance of several types of natural stone.

Sgraffito & Lime Plaster

Another technique is Sgraffito, which most strongly resembles typical Venetian plaster in form. It is often used on ceramic pottery and incorporates fine scratches onto the surface. This is a technique that is popular in African art. Another technique, Tadelakt, originated in the palaces of Morocco in Northern Africa. Its’ end result is soft waves and flowing forms in the surface of walls or ceilings that feel like ocean patterns or growth patterns of trees and vines.

Back in the early 20th century, most homes were built using slaked lime plaster mix for the interior walls. It can still be found in scores of homes left from that period of building. It is called a lifetime finish for exactly that reason, in that it not only adds stability to the wall on which it is applied, but it is incredibly durable as a finish. With proper care, it will last and remain intact and beautiful for as long as the wall it is applied to is standing.

In slaked lime plaster application, a course “scratch coat”, which is a plaster mixed with shrinkage preventing additives, like horsehair, is applied. It is followed by a brown coat, which is a plaster and sand blend. Then, a final skin coat is applied to the wall or ceiling.

Slaked lime plaster is composed of limestone that has been baked at extreme temperatures to remove all impurities. Slaked, or hydrated, lime plaster comes in an aged putty form so there is no hand mixing required, and no time constraints that it needs to be applied within, which makes it a much easier application than some plaster mixes, which need to be applied quickly to prevent a dried mess occurring.

Slaked lime plaster is pure white in its basic form, but in the current market, it is available in just about any hue that you desire. Really, there isn’t a finish, color, texture, or look that you cannot achieve with the modern Venetian plaster materials.

Lime Plaster & Clay

When a color pigment is added to slake lime plaster blend, it becomes Venetian plaster. There are several different offshoots of traditional Venetian plaster blends, such as Tadelakt. Tadelakt is a lime plaster mixed with black soap that is derived from olives. The chemical reaction between the lime plaster and black soap creates a waterproof membrane. This reaction makes Tadelakt the most suitable material for use in showers, baths, sinks, and even tubs.

With the ability to breathe, lime plaster blends regulate the humidity inside the room they are applied, and also keeps your home cooler because of lessened humidity. There is no smell after lime plaster application as there would be with paint, because lime plaster is all-natural, and it has zero VOCs.

Another of the new plaster blends is clay plaster. It is comprised of clay, sand, and pigments. It comes in a powdered form, in a range of earthy shades that offer a matte and often very rough finish. Clay plaster, however, should not be used in wet areas such as kitchens and baths, as it is not as durable and water-resistant as lime plaster. However, it is still a moisture absorbing material that will control humidity levels inside your home.

Venetian Over Gypsum

Gypsum plaster is a much faster application style of plaster. It’s much less expensive than lime plaster, but you must be prepared to work with it very quickly upon mixing. If you do not work fast enough, it will dry during application, causing dry peaks that will ruin the desired effect and require replastering of the area. However, one of the upsides to Gypsum plaster is the ability to be tinted with many different dazzling hues.

Venetian plaster is a tough, durable finish that lends an earthy, soft look, and an appearance of depth and movement to walls and ceilings. It can give the feeling of lightness and brightness to an area. The new products used to make Venetian plaster are low maintenance and durable. Unlike the old Venetian plaster, you don’t need to replaster an entire wall simply to repair one scuff mark. Most minor scuffs can now be removed with a damp cloth and the use of a mild detergent. A light sanding with fine steel wool can also remove small scuffs and imperfections from the new Venetian plaster constructions.

Choices are Limitless

here are many different beautiful and intricate finishes that can be made with Venetian plaster. Ragging, stenciling, and clothing are some of the new techniques being used to do the new style Venetian plaster finishes, and they’re being done by both professionals and do it yourselfers alike. A few of the types of finishes that are being marketed are listed with a brief description below:

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Carrera

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Carrera finish is an ageless lime and marble blend that creates natural beauty with depth and color that showcases the mineral variations.Venetian Plaster Marmorino Carrara is a traditional medium-grain plaster. It has a classic natural mineral look that yields a satiny multi coloured marble effect. It has long been regarded as the perfect choice to decorate high-end interiors, and is widely used in foyers, reception areas, and concert halls.

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Carrara is suited to the restoration of historical buildings such as churches and palaces. It is suitable for restoration applications both indoors and out.

Linen Silk Finish

This finish has the texture and luster of both fabrics, and an added final coat of shimmering silver or gold gives your walls a three-dimensional effect that turns the entire area from basic to rich and bold.

Venus Marble Effect Finish

This is an all natural-looking finish that has a marble-like appearance, one that is glossy, smooth, and reminiscent of metal. A top coat that is light reflective lends to the metallic, shimmering effect.

Toscana Finish

Deep and earthen toned, rich colors and thick texture reminds you of deep, rich earth.

Venetian Nights Antique Velvet Finish

Metallic pigments that change in the light on a rich texture make this a new shimmering spin on the classic antiqued finish.

Antico Antique Finish

Super layered three-dimensional look and feel with earthy, clay hues and canyon rock textures.

Linen Silk Finish

Venus Marble Effect Finish

Toscana Finish

Deep and earthen toned, rich colors and thick texture reminds you of deep, rich earth.

Venetian Nights Antique Velvet Finish

Metallic pigments that change in the light on a rich texture make this a new shimmering spin on the classic antiqued finish.

Antico Antique Finish

Super layered three-dimensional look and feel with earthy, clay hues and canyon rock textures.

Venetian Plaster Polished Stucco

Venetian Plaster Polished Stucco Finish has a glass-like luster that is crafted in 3-4 layers, then a layer of specialty wax polish is applied. While the high gloss finish lends multi-coloured marble effect, it retains a classic natural mineral look. This eco-friendly application is widely used in foyers and reception areas.

Venetian Plaster Polished Stucco is especially suited for use in the restoration of historic buildings such as churches, palaces, and villas, both interior and exterior. It is also often used to lend an elegant look to public facilities such as restrooms and kitchens in hotels and other high end establishments that want to maintain an air of class even in the most public of accessible areas.

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Carrera

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Carrera finish is an ageless lime and marble blend that creates natural beauty with depth and colour that showcases the mineral variations.Venetian Plaster Marmorino Carrara is a traditional medium-grain plaster. It has a classic natural mineral look that yields a satiny multi coloured marble effect. It has long been regarded as the perfect choice to decorate high-end interiors, and is widely used in foyers, reception areas, and concert halls.

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Carrara is suited to the restoration of historical buildings such as churches and palaces. It is suitable for restoration applications both indoors and out.

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Fine

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Fine finish is similar to the Venetian Plaster Polished Stucco finish, but is more forgiving to the finish, creating a deeper detailed look. It has translucent marble effects that make it ideal for high end interiors.

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Naturale

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Naturale finish is a subtle, designer finish that is perfect for classic decor restoration to contemporary commercial spaces.

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Carrera Salt and Pepper

Venetian Plaster Marmorino Carrera Salt and Pepper finish is a medium grain plaster with a natural mineral look that gives a subdued satiny multi coloured marble effect, featuring distinctive black dotting similar to pepper granules.

Venetian Plaster Tonachino

Inspired by the look and texture of natural stone, Tonachino offers subtle to deep textured styles like Travertine and Cracked Stone style finishes. It’s a traditional coarse grain plaster with great versatility and is used in multiple applications.

Venetian Plaster Raw Concrete

Venetian Plaster Raw Concrete finish creates a modern industrial feature finish, with the natural matte look of raw concrete.

In modern day Venetian Plaster finishing there are two different processes used. The first is the glaze process. In the glaze process of finishing, a translucent mix of pain and glaze are applied to the plaster with a brush, roller, rag or sponge to create multi tinted layers. The layering adds depth to the final look. The glaze is applied as a base material such as drywall mud or other plaster material, then it is sealed with a compatible sealer to lock in the colour and provide a highly polished look upon completion. Glazes are what lends the realistic stone polished look of material like marble. Glaze enables the texture variances and fissures in the finished product that are commonly seen in the natural stone and recreated with Venetian Plaster and the glazing process.

The second Venetian Plaster finishing process is the plaster process. This is done with tinted plasters or plasters washed with earthy colours, then applied with a trowel or spatula. Drywall mud products can also be used in the finishing process. The finished result of plaster finishing is a smooth or textured effect but without the highly polished look that is achieved with the glazed finish.

In Venetian Plaster colour and hues, the sky’s the limit. They range from muted beiges and grey tones to blues that are ask vibrant as sapphires and the ocean caps. Natural golds, greys, crimsons, and gunmetal grey are perfect tones for restoration and new construction. There isn’t a colour choice that cannot be achieved with the new Venetian Plaster materials, and they’re being used as vibrant accent walls and bold full room tones.

In the Venetian Plaster material and processes of the past, you would typically see only a range of golds, browns, and gray tones. These colours are still being used in pallets that are restoration focused, but even in the Venetian Plaster restoration projects that have been featured in Architecture and Design articles lately, the older muted tones are being replaced by shimmering golds, deeper greys with flecks resembling granite, and browns that are deep and look like freshly turned soil.

Ultra Modern, Sophisticated Looks

With the new blends of plasters that are being marketed today, there is no limit to the uses that are being featured in magazines and online in regards to Venetian and other plaster. The new, acrylic, easier to manipulate plaster blends are making plaster designs and effects the most modern and beautiful wall and ceiling looks out today. Designer ceilings are being finished with acrylic plaster to resemble puffy clouds floating by, or like stained glass pieces that are scattered along the ceiling. These plaster designs are even more stunning and lifelike when the acrylic plaster is blended with metallic paint, lending a shimmering and life like effect to the design.

A new and sophisticated wall look that has been popping up everywhere is the crocodile skin finish. This is a stencilled finish with a rust coloured metallic hue added to the plaster blend that looks as though a crocodile has shed his skin right against the wall. Along those same lines, the crackle finish. This look is achieved by some skilled spatula or stencil work. It looks as though a sheet of foil paper has been torn and placed randomly throughout the texture finish. It is also achieved by using a metallic tinted colour mixed with the plaster and then applied directly to the wall, either with the stencil guide, or freehand with a spatula.

A beautiful and upscale design trend that has been a major element in the comeback of plaster lately is the lace finish effect. This is another detailed stencil application of acrylic plaster blend that is directly and artfully applied to the wall. The colour may either be mixed into the plaster, or because of the raised texture of the stencil, the colour can be brushed, rolled, or applied with a rag after the plaster stencils have fully dried.

Another great look that has been trending on the design forefront is hand painted scenes on Venetian Plaster walls and ceilings. These are being hand painted onto an already finished Venetian Plaster wall or ceiling with acrylic paints. The look is unparalleled as far as beauty and individualism. If you want to set your home or office apart from any other design and style, this is a classy and upscale look that will not only set your space apart from any other, but will make a lasting impression on any guest to your home or office.

New And Exciting Design And Styles

With the new trends in paints and metallic plasters, it is no surprise that the walls and ceilings being showcased in design trend magazines seem to glitter and shimmer in all of the photographs. One of the most eye catching and glitzy looks recently showcased is the metallic plaster blend. The pearlescent effect of this plaster blend is unparalleled by any other product on the market currently, and it gives whatever colour you choose a deep, rich, shining appearance that is striking and dramatic. The shine will catch your eye immediately upon entering the room, and with every different view point in the room, the glittering effect will reflect differently off of all available lighting.

Another classy look that is in the design news lately is the Artisan paint style over Venetian plaster. This is a phenomenal look for an entry and living room because it appears multi dimensional from any vantage point, and you will not see the same effect twice in the room.

The most soothing and classic style to come about lately is the brushed suede paint style over Venetian Plaster. The brushed suede look is achieved by rolling your earth toned paint over the Venetian Plaster surface with a nap roller. Immediately after rolling, a wide brush needs to be used to make large X patterns over the rolled paint.

The outcome is so similar to brushed suede that you nearly want to reach out and rub the wall to see if it is, indeed, and soft and smooth suede on the wall. This effect also looks great with a metallic tinged brown, such as shades of gold added to the earthen colour. When the two tones are blended together and then applied, it lends a pretty shimmer to the suede effect that is eye catching and stands out to anyone within range of sight, because the metallic addition will catch and reflect all of the light in the room.

Because your commercial space naturally will see more traffic than a residential space.

You will automatically see the cost benefits of using Venetian Plaster for the walls in your commercial space. In high traffic areas, you want to have a material that isn’t fragile, and is built to last. That is Venetian Plaster by very definition. Unless you have pallet jacks running directly into your wall finishes, there should be no immediate damage to Venetian Plaster that cannot be touched up and returned to its’ original high end look. It transforms every day commercial spaces into works of modern art, and adds value and resale options to commercial properties because of the craftsmanship and design involved.

When choosing a product for longevity, Venetian Plaster may be a more costly option to start with, but how will those costs even out over the period of home ownership? If you opt for satin interior paint, you can count on paying for it again in five years. However, what happens when that paint is mixed into a Venetian Plaster glaze? When properly glazed and sealed, you have tripled the life span of your paint job, at minimum. If you intend to own your home for ten years or longer, it may very well be cost feasible to consider Venetian Plaster for your interior walls.

What is your typical humidity level at your office and commercial spaces? Do you work in a tropical setting, or near a body of water? Unless you are in a desert climate that is very arid the majority of the time, the application of Venetian Plaster in your commercial space could be beneficial in terms of heating and cooling. By helping to dispel the moisture in your commercial space you aren’t trying to force cool a warm and humid environment, which can add extra strain to your central cooling unit, and also your costs over time in energy bills can be quite substantial.

The natural elements in Venetian Plaster, paired with its’ breathability and mold resistance make it the ultimate choice in building materials for areas that see a great deal of moisture. Kitchens, baths, saunas, and laundry rooms are the ideal scenarios where your choice of Venetian Plaster could pay for itself with one mold remediation cost.

In addition, if you are in a moist and humid climate and your facility has bay doors or overhead doors to provide entry and exit points for logistics, you would fare well to protect your interior surfaces with Venetian Plaster because mildew can damage your product and hurt your productivity by causing allergies and illnesses in your staff. By controlling the growth of mold and mildew inside your commercial space, you are preventing medical care costs and possible lost time due to illness, which is another unnecessary expense in your businesses budget.

Reasons To Consider Venetian Plaster For Your Home

In general, the Venetian Plaster of pre-WW II speaks for itself. When the old construction methods were used, it was a time consuming and sometimes costly undertaking that could only be handled by a skilled tradesman. It speaks for those tradesman’s level of skill that most of that construction can be seen, undamaged, in any of those structures that are still standing.

Even with some of the new acrylic and cellulose based blends of plaster, it still retains its’ natural humidity controlling features, and lends strength to the surfaces and features that it is applied to. Generally speaking, if the application of Venetian Plaster is done correctly with adequate drying times and properly sealed, it is a lifetime piece of construction. Venetian plaster is a tough, durable finish that lends and earthy, soft look, and an appearance of depth and movement to walls and ceilings. It can give the feeling of lightness and brightness to an area.

The new products used to make Venetian plaster are low maintenance and durable. Unlike the old Venetian plaster, you don’t need to re-plaster an entire wall simply to repair one scuff mark. Most minor scuffs can now be removed with a damp cloth and the use of a mild detergent. A light sanding with a fine steel wool can also remove small scuffs and imperfections from the new Venetian plaster constructions.

There are many different beautiful and intricate finishes that can be made with Venetian plaster. Ragging, stencilling, and clothing are some of the new techniques being used to do the new style Venetian plaster finishes, and they’re being done by both professionals and do it yourselfers alike. Some factors to consider when you are weighing the options for wall finishing should include:

Not many products tout themselves as being a lifetime product. Venetian plaster can and has done so, and some homes and buildings well over a hundred years old are proof of that declaration being true. If you texture the walls in your home, or use a wallpaper, or an expensive satin paint, you will need to make another improvement or upgrade five, ten, or even twenty years from now. However, if your choice is Venetian Plaster, it will still be just as well crafted and beautiful in 50 years as it is today.

What is your typical humidity level at home? Do you live in a tropical setting, or near a body of water? Unless you are in a desert climate that is very arid the majority of the time, the application of Venetian Plaster in your home could be beneficial in terms of heating and cooling. By helping to dispel the moisture in your home, you aren’t trying to force cool a warm and humid environment, which can add extra strain to your central cooling unit, and also your costs over time in energy bills can be quite substantial.

Consider the costs of mold remediation, even just once in a standard sized bathroom. It is often upward of $3000.00 to remove and remediate black mold. That isn’t inclusive of the replacement materials to remodel all of the mold affected areas of your home, because if mold isn’t fully treated, it is guaranteed to return and continue to spread. The natural elements in Venetian Plaster, paired with its’ breathability and mold resistance make it the ultimate choice in building materials for areas that see a great deal of moisture. Kitchens, baths, saunas, and laundry rooms are the ideal scenarios where your choice of Venetian Plaster could pay for itself with one mold remediation cost.

Reasons To Consider Venetian Plaster For Your Commercial Space:

When you’re looking at wall and ceiling treatments for your commercial space, you may think that the cheaper the option, the better. However, consider these factors before choosing the least expensive option:

Because your commercial space naturally will see more traffic than a residential space,