About Venetian Plaster
What is Venetian Plaster?
Venetian Plaster is a term used to describe a unique and ancient limestone finishing plaster from Italy. The name describes both the material and the process used to apply it. Lime plaster is one of the foundational building materials of mankind, with it's use dating back to the ancient Egyptians. The artsists of Renaisance-Era Venice evolved the medium into an artform in the 1500s while seeking new ways to decorate the opulent pallazos of the city. The material is a blend of crushed cooked limestone and fine marble dust. To make the plaster, natural limestone is quarried from the earth, cooked in a kiln, crushed, and then aged (slaked) underwater in lime pits to achieve its superior consistency and working characteristics. Fine marble dust is added to increase the translucent qualities, depth and sheen. The plaster is hand applied the same way it has been for thousands of years, by skilled artisans using specialized trowels with polished steel edges. The application process is distinct from other forms of plastering and is considered difficult and laborious. An artisan must have extensive knowledge of the medium and the ability to control environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. Experience with the tools and methods of application is required to develop the muscle memory needed to execute the work quickly and perfectly. The plaster is hand applied is a series of thin layers. As the final coat dries, the plaster is honed by compressing and burnishing the surface with a polished-edge steel trowel. The result is a beautiful surface with interest and depth that far outclasses modern paints and materials. While it's primarily used for aesthetic purposes, it also serves a functional purpose. The alkaline Ph of lime plaster introduces a natural reisistance to microbes, mold and mildew, making it an excellent choice for humid climates, interior or exterior.
Why I love Venetian Plaster
I was already a trained decorative painter the first time I saw Venetian Plaster in an Architect's office. It was the most beautiful surface I'd ever seen and I knew that I had to learn it. There where no schools in the United States at that time, so I went to Italy to train with with some fantastic artists at the Stuhhi Plaster Factory in Milan. I was very young and I was overwhelmed with the immense beauty of Italy. My time there changed me forever and cemented my future as an artist. Leaning the craft and navigating the business has been difficult at times, but many years later I am still in love with this material and I understand better now what makes it so truly timeless.
Your walls don't have to be bland and boring.
The walls of your space account for the majority of surface square footage. Great attention and money is given to choosing materials for floors, countertops, bathrooms, but the walls are often left in a state of blandness. In the United States, most walls are made of chalk and paper drywall, and then coated with plastic paint. You dont have to settle for that, nor should you. Venetian Plaster walls completley change the way a space feels, even the most subtle colors become inspiring. This is a medium with wide array of applications for the designer. Bright white plaster walls, clean and polished add a distinctive tone to modern design, make the ultimate backdrop for a gallery. Warmer deeper colors liven up a space and reflect light in a way that paint cannot. The simple decision to use Venetian Plaster can elevate a project to an unexpected level of sophistication and beauty.