Venetian plaster in Brighton and Hove

A finish with real depth

Venetian plaster is made mainly from slaked lime and finely ground marble, and it is applied in several very thin coats with a steel trowel. As each coat is pressed and polished, the surface takes on a soft, stone-like sheen with subtle variations in colour that paint simply cannot copy. It suits the high ceilings and generous rooms of Brighton’s Regency and Victorian homes, but it works just as well as a single feature wall in a modern flat in Hove.

Venetian marble, polished plaster and decorative mouldings sit alongside our everyday plastering work, so we can prepare the walls properly as well as apply the finish. That matters, because Venetian plaster is only a few millimetres thick and any lumps, cracks or loose plaster underneath will show through.

Where it works best

• Feature walls behind a sofa, bed or fireplace, where the light can catch the surface.
• Hallways and stairwells, where a hard-wearing, polished finish makes a strong first impression.
• Kitchens, including splashbacks, once the surface is sealed with a protective wax.
• Bathrooms, away from direct water, again with a protective finish. For showers and wet rooms we usually suggest tadelakt instead.
• Media walls and alcoves, where a seamless finish looks better than tiles or panelling.

How we apply Venetian plaster

1. Free visit and samples. We look at the walls, talk through colours and finishes and agree a fixed price.
2. Preparation. We repair or skim the walls so they are flat and sound, and apply a suitable primer where the manufacturer recommends one.
3. Base coats. Thin layers go on with a steel trowel, each one left to dry before the next. Most systems need two or three coats in total.
4. Burnishing. The final coat is pressed and polished with the trowel to bring out the sheen and the marble effect.
5. Protection. Where needed, a wax or sealer goes on once the plaster has cured, which is essential in kitchens and bathrooms.