Living with lime-plastered walls is like living inside a Rothko painting
leigh herzig, Designer
About us
What is Venetian plastering?
Venetian plastering, a centuries-old technique originating in the Italian city of Venice, is a decorative wall finish that replicates the look and feel of polished marble and natural stone. It is a highly sought-after and versatile design solution, offering a luxurious and timeless appeal to commercial and residential spaces. This distinctive plastering method perfectly balances traditional craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetics, making it an increasingly popular choice among interior designers, architects, and homeowners alike.
The history of Venetian Plaster
The origins of Venetian Plaster trace right back as far as the 1st century AD to Mesopotamia. Limestone, the base for lime mortars, lime putty and lime paint, is as old as the earth itself. It originates in sea beds from many compressed layers of crushed shell, which takes thousands, if not millions, of years to form.
Venetian Plaster became popular in the Roman Empire to imitate natural stone surfaces inside palazzos, villas and cathedrals. Artisans would blend lime plaster with marble dust and pigments to create the compound plaster and then trowel it onto walls or ceilings in multiple thin layers with short, overlapping strokes.
This technique of interior and exterior home decoration was rediscovered during the Italian Renaissance. Artists and architects embraced it as an old, new technique, and it became a highly desired wall plastering finish.
Many of the great artworks of that time, such as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, use a similar method. We call this method Fresco. It is a technique of mural painting onto freshly laid, wet, lime plaster.
Here are a few reasons why Venetian plaster is such a sought-after material.
Versatility
Venetian plaster was initially developed to cope with the unique situation in Venice, northern Italy. As the city was built on water, the buildings were constructed on stilts. This meant that they weren’t strong enough to take the weight of marble, which was being used for interior design in affluent Italian society homes at the time. Venetian plaster was designed to imitate the appearance of marble while being lighter in weight and easier to mould into different shapes.
This makes Venetian plaster an extremely versatile material. It can be used for walls and ceilings, archways, columns and various other surfaces, both simple and complex to shape. Equally, it can be used to smooth imperfections or create texture on any surface.
Low maintenance
Venetian plaster is extremely easy to maintain, unlike many other popular wall coverings. It’s tough and hardwearing so that it won’t crack even under significant pressure. However, if it does get damaged, its malleable consistency means it can easily be patched without the whole surface needing to be re-plastered.
Venetian plaster also maintains its appearance for many years. It doesn’t fade, and unlike regular plaster, it doesn’t need to be painted over, as it is naturally beautiful. It is also available in various colours, so if you want a contrast between your walls and your ceilings or different tones in different rooms, this is entirely possible. Venetian plastering is fully waterproof and can be applied in areas such as the kitchen and bathroom inside a shower cubicle.
Additionally, as Venetian plaster is sealed with a wax coating, it is non-porous and easy to clean. It can be washed and dried quickly, with no risk of moisture retention, which can lead to dampness.
Environmentally friendly
The ingredients that make up Venetian plaster are entirely natural. This means that it is completely non-toxic, so it won’t harm the environment in any way as it has no harmful gases to release. It is also non-allergenic, so it’s a safe choice for environments where there are children, pets or anyone who suffers from breathing conditions such as asthma.
As one of its main components is lime, Venetian plaster has a naturally high pH balance. This makes it an effective antibacterial, so it kills mould, fungus and other potentially harmful substances, preventing them from spreading, and it can prevent the build-up of mould, mildew and bacteria.
Venetian plaster also absorbs carbon dioxide, creating more breathable air, making it kind to the environment and healthy for those who come into contact with it.
Beautiful appearance
However, the main attraction of Venetian plaster is its stunning appearance. As it contains various substances, including lime and marble, it is almost iridescent, with multiple colours visible on its surface. It was explicitly designed to imitate the appearance of marble, bringing the same luxurious feel into your home or workplace while being less expensive.
Venetian plaster can be ordered in shades, from white through various natural, neutral tones, including cream and beige, to black. Whatever your interior décor tastes, there is a Venetian plaster to suit your colour scheme.
Another advantage of Venetian plaster is that it makes a room look bigger and brighter. This is because its highly polished surface reflects light, instantly creating a bright and spacious feel in any environment.
Affordable cost
Venetian plaster is still considered a luxury material, so there are other cheaper options for wall covering on the market. However, as it will last many years, it is an excellent investment to add a touch of class and luxury to your home or commercial space.
It is also not as expensive as it used to be, so you may be surprised at how affordable Venetian plaster can be today. The places are endless, with interior design becoming more important for homeowners, hotels, gyms, and spas.
Various techniques can be used to achieve the exact look, feel and colour you would like. The finishes are as follows: –
- Bi plasma and liquid metals – used to create a wide range of durable, funky and eye-catching designs.
- Microcement – the robust decorative finish trendy in bathrooms and wet areas
- Polished plaster – the timeless finish that produces a high-shine mirror effect design.
- Metallics – bringing a bit of bling to any room.
- Decorative textures – adding depth to your walls.
- Stencilling- using your company logos on top of a finish above.