Venetian plaster: Professional painters tell you what you need to know

Venetian plaster is again becoming a popular interior design choice in 2021 for the unique look and natural texture it adds to whatever room it is in. 

It also helps that Venetian plaster materials are improving in quality and are becoming easier to work with. Modern Venetian plaster usually comes in white, beige, gray, brown, and black, according to an article by Architectural Digest.  

What is Venetian plaster? 

Venetian plaster sounds fancy because it kind of is. Venetian plaster was invented in Venice, Italy, and became popular during the Roman Empire. Back then, artisans blended lime plaster with marble dust and pigments. 

Venetian plaster is actually a modern term that describes the method of applying a stuccoed surface coating to walls. The result looks soft and natural, adding subtle depth to surfaces while maintaining a subtle appearance. It should mimic the appearance of natural stone if done correctly.  

Modern Venetian plaster is a putty made from fired limestone or marble dust mixed with some water. Modern materials have made the application process a lot easier than in the days of the Roman Empire or even the Tuscan interior design trends of the 1990s. Today, you can buy a gallon of synthetic Venetian plaster at a home improvement store in all sorts of different shades, or specialized plaster dealers can make traditional Venetian plaster in a wide range of custom colors. 

How is Venetian plaster applied? 

Applying Venetian plaster is certainly more involved than the average painting job, but it is not impossible with the right tools and a good technique. 

1. Prepare the workspace

Before Venetian plaster can get applied to any surface, you will want to clear out your room where you will be working because this is not a very tidy process. 

Painters will spread out a drop cloth to protect the floor and then get to work filling in any cracks or imperfections on the wall. After that, they will wash away any dirt and coat the wall in primer. Venetian plaster does not adhere well to glossy surfaces, so those surfaces will need to get sanded down. 

Once the primer is dry, it’s time to get plastered. 

2. First coat of plaster

Starting in one corner, painters will apply the plaster to the wall using a flexible steel trowel or perhaps a drywall knife. The Venetian plaster needs to get applied in thin coats using strokes that vary in length and angle. 

It is not a big deal if some of the original wall surfaces shows through the first layer of plaster as long as the wall surface is still pretty smooth. The first coat should cover about 80% of the wall to help add depth at the end. 

The first layer of plaster will need to dry before another layer can go on, which usually takes about four hours. Expect this job to take at least two days to allow for enough drying time, but it can take up to 10 days, depending on the material used. 

3. Time for the second coat

Once the first layer of plaster is dry, your painter will go back over the surface again with another layer using the same tools and technique. This time, any gaps should get filled in, and the wall surface should be completely even. 

The second layer of plaster will need to dry for at least 24 hours before the painter can start the finishing treatment. 

4. Finishing touches

The finishing treatment involves burnishing the surface of the fresh plaster. The burnishing step gets done by rubbing the wall surface in circular motions with very fine sandpaper – 400- or 600- grit is ideal. 

5. Optional topcoat

Then, you can choose to apply a top coat to help protect the surface from wear and tear or moisture. A topcoat is a good idea for new Venetian plaster in a kitchen or bathroom to protect it against moisture in the air. Some people choose to use a paste wax as a topcoat, which adds a little more sheen to the finished product. 

Why should you consider Venetian plaster for your home? 

Aside from being trendy, Venetian plaster is also an amazing option for people who are looking for a high-quality wall covering that will last a lifetime. 

Plus, Venetian plaster is non-toxic and has zero volatile organic compounds, so it is safer to use than many traditional interior paints. Venetian plaster is also naturally mold and mildew resistant. 

However, Venetian plaster is more expensive than a fresh coat of paint. You can expect to spend anywhere between $8 to $15 per square foot of Venetian plaster, according to Architectural Digest. 

To learn more about paint, interior design trends, and more, visit the Spectra Painting Contractors Blog. Spectra Painting Contractors is based in the greater Boston area. Call us today for your next home or commercial painting project.