Venetian Plaster London

Venetian plaster finishes enable a range of expressive possibilities from classic to contemporary. If you are looking for an element that will activate your decor and produce envious looks from friends and neighbours Venetian plaster in London is the way to go.

What is Venetian plaster?

Venetian plaster is comprised of lime putty that is coloured with a pigment and mixed with marble, quartz or kaolin. This mixture may be applied using any number of different techniques to create an elegant mottled surface that can be polished to create an even more compelling finish.

This type of plaster goes back at least 1,000 years. Many consider it a direct descendant of a similar plaster the Romans employed more than 2,000 years ago. The difference being the Roman product was typically coarser and often had sand mixed into it.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, this type of slaked lime putty gained favour in the palaces of Venice where it was often highly-polished and prized for its water-resistant properties. Venice wound up giving the plaster its name, although as we said it was in use for centuries before the Doge got a hold of it.

What makes Venetian plaster in London so popular?

The enduring popularity of Venetian plaster can be attributed to a number of qualities, some aesthetic, some practical, including:

Breathability – Venetian plaster is known for its breathability. This is a crucial quality for extremely humid locations (such as the Lagoon of Venice), as well as bathrooms, where high moisture levels are a constant. Breathability enables the plaster to shed moisture thus preventing mould and mildew from taking hold, or water from undermining its integrity.

It looks great – Whether you are after a rough-hewn look or a more polished veneer Venetian plaster can provide it for you. The look of the finished product is a major selling point, with many designers considering it a far more compelling wall covering when compared to paint.

Unbeatable provenance – Imagine enjoying the same wall covering as the ultra-wealthy oligarchs of 14th century Venice. That’s not something everyone can boast of. With only minor chemical differences Venetian plaster today is essentially the same as it was when Venice ruled the world’s trade routes.

Easy to maintain – Because Venetian plaster is waterproof it is extremely easy to maintain. All that’s required is that you wipe down the walls from time to time with a damp cloth.

To learn more about this historically good wall covering visit one of our London distribution depots.