Venetian plaster can add a timeless, subtle sophistication to your home
Venetian plaster is one of the oldest techniques used to decorate a wall.
This material is one of the most expensive.
There are three main types of Venetian plaster.
If applied correctly, Venetian plastered walls can last hundreds of years.
Unless you are skilled at working with plaster, it’s best to hire a pro.
Venetian plaster is a decorative wall finish that, while labor-intensive, can turn a room from bland to beautiful. The finish can be polished in such a way that it resembles marble or left rough, letting its natural texture shine.
If you can see past the initial cost of Venetian plaster, there are many benefits to this decorative finish that extend beyond simple looks. This ancient technique has had a resurgence in the design world, and many homeowners are considering applying this architectural flair in their homes.
Venetian plaster is made from a mixture of fired limestone and water. These two elements are mixed together—sometimes including marble dust—and spread in layers over a bare wall. This can be on top of an existing plaster wall but is usually (at least these days) finished on top of drywall.
Many homeowners choose a neutral color, like beige or cream, for their plaster mix. These shades are an easy choice, as pairing accent walls with furniture and other room furnishings adds an elegant flair to the room by adding dimension and depth to an otherwise flat wall or dreary room.
Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, there is a catch, and that is the cost. Installing Venetian plaster takes time and, because applying Venetian plaster in your home requires an artistic touch, you may have to hire a plaster pro to complete the job. It’s for this reason that you typically see Venetian plaster in luxury homes and boutique, 4-and-5-star hotels.
Venetian plaster comes in a few different types, all with Italian names. There are other types of plaster, but these are the most common Venetian varieties:
Marmorino is the oldest of the three dating back to Ancient Roman times. It’s also one of the most popular applications today as it’s the easiest to DIY. Marmorino creates a matte finish wall that’s often left unpolished as it results in a weathered appearance that many find aesthetically pleasing.
Scagliola—pronounced skah-lee-oh-la—is a much more involved type of Venetian plaster that mimics the appearance of marble and some semi-precious stones. Unlike Marmorino, Scagliola requires the mixing of multiple color types and careful layering to achieve the veined appearance of marble. Scagliola is often polished and looks extremely high-end.
Sgraffito—pronounced skrah-fee-tow—might look like a familiar word. If you guessed graffiti, you are correct. Graffiti comes from the Italian word “graffio”--which means “to scratch”--and this is evident in the technique used for this type of Venetian plaster. Sgraffito involves adding layers of colored plaster and then scratching them to reveal the underlying layers. This method can be considered the most artistic of the three, but it does require a significant time commitment to complete.
All things considered, Venetian plaster materials aren’t terribly expensive. One gallon tubs of Marmorino cost about $75. Assuming your wall is already built, you will only need a few extra tools that cost less than $100. The largest expense when installing Venetian plaster on your own is time. Expect a contractor to charge $10 to$25 per square foot to apply. While that quote does include labor, a large wall can quickly turn the project into one that costs $1,000 or more, per wall.
Installing Venetian plaster yourself—using the Marmorino method—can be done in three steps:
Apply multiple coats of plaster.
Burnish and smooth the plaster.
Apply a top coat of wax to seal the plaster.
This is not the easiest DIY project, though. There are several ways you could apply the plaster incorrectly, which would require repair and maybe even removal, forcing you to start over from scratch. It’s for this reason we recommend working with a plaster repair pro near you to avoid any significant issues.
Venetian plaster is beautiful and can add value to your home, but it’s not cheap. Application can be expensive when compared to other wall finishings, and it can take a great deal of time if you DIY. If the plaster isn’t polished and sealed correctly, it can become easily damaged. This type of finish is also quite sensitive to moisture shifts.
That being said, Venetian plaster can also add beauty to your home in a unique way. No two Venetian plaster walls are the same and, if done by a skilled professional, can be works of art. Plaster walls can also last hundreds of years.
The allure of Venetian plaster lies in its unique appearance and individual characteristics in a home. It’s sophisticated and multidimensional and has a rich history dating back to Ancient Rome. This type of plaster finish is durable and represents a style of luxury that has been practiced for thousands of years. Many designers pair the texture of Venetian plaster with modern furnishings, resulting in an elegant and refined aesthetic.
You can apply Venetian plaster yourself, but we recommend working alongside a specialist as your maximum involvement. You may be able to apply the Marmorino method as a DIY project, but the other two methods require significant artistry and skill. The cost of materials is one thing, but spending 60 hours fixing a mistake is something else entirely. The hard truth is that a specialist will produce a more appealing and more properly applied Venetian plaster wall.
This depends on how it was applied, the moisture content of the home, and how the wall is treated, but it isn’t uncommon for Venetian plaster walls to last decades to centuries. The quality of the application and how often it is touched or bumped factor heavily into its lifespan. Generally speaking though, Venetian plaster is a wall finish that lasts longer than almost any other wall finish.
This depends on how much plaster is applied and in how many layers, but a decent estimate is around 150 square feet. If you are applying only two coats on a small wall, there is a chance you may only need one or two gallons for the entire project. If you are plastering a large living room wall with high ceilings, using one of the more involved techniques–like Scagliola–that requires several coats, expect the project materials costs to add up quickly.
