Venetian Plaster
Lime-burnished surfaces with the depth of stone and the warmth of candlelight.
Venetian plaster is a centuries-old marmorino tradition, refined in our atelier with process and micron-refined mineral pigments and a slaked-lime binder that breathes with the building. Applied in three to seven passes and polished to a soft sheen, each wall becomes a single continuous surface — without seams, without repetition, with the quiet luminance only true lime can produce.
Materials & Composition
We begin with aged Italian slaked lime, blended with marble dust ground to a controlled particle distribution. Mineral oxides — never synthetic dyes — provide the color, ensuring the finish ages with the same gravitas as natural stone. Our system contains no acrylic top-seal, preserving the lime's ability to regulate humidity and resist mold.
Optical Behavior
Because each pass is troweled at a slightly different angle, light enters the surface and refracts through micro-fractures in the cured lime. The result is a finish that reads differently from morning to evening — luminous in raking light, hushed and matte under direct overhead. This is the same optical principle that gives Carrara marble its perceived depth.
Application & Cure
Three to seven passes by a trained applicator, with a final compression-burnish at the leather-hard stage. Full carbonation cure takes 28 days; the finish reaches archival hardness at 90 days. Substrates: skim-coated drywall, plaster, or properly primed masonry. We do not recommend Venetian plaster in continuously wet environments — for steam showers and spa walls, ask about our Tadelakt system.
Specification Notes
Coverage: ~30 sq ft per gallon at three passes. Sheen: matte to satin-burnished, specified at order. Color range: full custom; we color-match to any Pantone, RAL, or physical sample. Lead time: 10 business days from approved sample. Sample policy: your first 4oz sample is complimentary; further samples are $40 each plus shipping.
Frequently Asked
How does Venetian plaster differ from limewash?
Limewash is a thin, brushed-on color wash that softens with time. Venetian plaster is a troweled, multi-pass system that produces a dense, polished, stone-like surface. Both use lime, but the depth, sheen, and durability are categorically different.
Can I use Venetian plaster in a bathroom?
In powder rooms and standard bathrooms, yes — lime is naturally mold-resistant. For wet zones with continuous water exposure (steam showers, around tubs without proper detailing), we recommend our Tadelakt or sealed Marmorino systems instead.
What does it cost installed?
Material runs $14–$22 per square foot depending on color complexity and pass count. Skilled installation typically adds $18–$45 per square foot in the U.S. We can recommend vetted applicators in most major markets.
Can I see a sample before committing?
Yes. Your first 4oz sample is complimentary — order through the resources page. Further reference samples are $40 each plus shipping. For larger projects we can produce A4 board samples on request.