Venetian plaster can also be designed to mimic the look of natural stones, such as marble, travertine or limestone. Choose a bold colour, a pearlescent or metallic finish, or a pared-back neutral. It can be smooth or highly textured, polished to a gentle gleam or a high-gloss, mirror-like glaze. Venetian plaster is the ultimate bespoke wall-surfacing product, as it can be customised to suit the style of your home. Scagliola – which mimics the veined look of marble Bespoke beauty

Tadelakt – Moroccan-style lime plaster that doesn’t contain ground marble Specialist plasterers sometimes use other terms, including: Today, ‘Venetian plaster’ describes many forms of decorative or polished plaster. Some modern manufacturers have created Venetian plaster mixes with added resins or acrylics that allow for easier application and compatibility with painted surfaces. Over the centuries, craftspeople have experimented with the technique to create different looks, adding materials such as crushed quartz to the mix, tinting with oxides and other pigments, and buffing the surface with wax to seal and preserve the finish. Venetian plaster also proved to be highly durable and well-suited to the city’s damp conditions. The finish recreated the opulent look of marble, but without weighing down the buildings’ watery foundations as stone cladding would have done.

In the 15th century, Venetian architects veneered the walls of their canal-side buildings with a wet mixture of crushed marble and slaked (powdered) lime, which was applied in thin layers and ‘burnished’ or polished to a glossy finish with a flat, steel trowel. Tempted to bring a slice of Italian history into your home? Read on for more information and inspiration. As more modern artisans become skilled in this ancient craft, the unique decorative properties of Venetian plaster are enjoying renewed popularity. This centuries-old veneering technique dates back to Roman times, and was used extensively in Venice during the Renaissance period. As a lime-based product, it celebrates the organic beauty of polished natural stone, transforming walls and ceilings into handcrafted works of art. With its subtly textured, lustrous finish, Venetian plaster epitomises timeless elegance.

Blue venetian plaster