What is Venetian plaster and where is it used in the home?
It’s the 15th-century design technique that’s been seen everywhere, from Kim Kardashian’s LA home to The Block.
From bathrooms and feature walls to whole rooms and homes, Venetian plaster is the latest design trend that those building and renovating their homes look to include.
Venetian Plaster Sydney owner Kurt Hale says the trend to Venetian plaster has really taken off in the past five years.
“Before that, no one really knew what it was,” he says. “It’s just a new thing at the moment, and everybody wants it; it’s just getting more and more popular as more people find out about it.”
Hale says he sees people include it in high-spec new builds as well as in large renovation projects and commercial fitouts across the luxury retail sector.
Yes, Venetian plaster is all the rage right now, but what exactly is it, and how do you use it in your home?
What is Venetian plaster?
Venetian plaster is made using limestone and marble dust mixed with water and is applied to surfaces by hand. Unlike traditional Gyprock plaster, which is hung in sheets and then painted, Venetian plaster has colour added to the mix and tone and texture is achieved by applying multiple coats to the surface.
Hale says no two walls of Venetian plaster are the same as the process is bespoke to each job.
“Some finishes can be one coat, others can be two or three,” he says.
“Sometimes it can be done in a day or, depending on the temp, over two days. It can take up to three or four days for basic finishes. Bathrooms are a one-and-half-week process – it’s a lot of coats.”
Where can I use Venetian plaster in my home?
Venetian plaster is a versatile product that can be used in every room of the house if you, and your budget, desire.
The most common reference for a full blown Venetian plaster experience is the $20m renovation of the California home Kim Kardashian shared with former husband Kanye West. Designed by designed by Axel Vervoordt, the home featured vast hallways coated in Venetian plaster with a minimalist finish.
Closer to home, Venetian plaster has been a growing trend seen in recent seasons of The Block – first in 2019 when El’ise and Matt wowed the judges with their seven-layered Venetian plaster wall in their en suite.
Judge Darren Palmer said at the time: “I don’t think I’ve loved a wall finish as much as I’ve loved that. It feels really rustic and tactile but so super modern. Like it’s a really beautiful contemporary finish.”
Hale says the most common requests for Venetian plaster is in bathrooms, around fireplaces, and as feature walls.
“The benefit people find in the bathroom is you get that seamless look – there’s no grout lines. If you’ve got no grout you’ve got no mould,” he says.
He says the technique can also be applied in kitchens, including benchtops, but it does have some drawbacks.
“The thing is with kitchens is that Venetian plaster is a lime-based product. We use a micro cement in the kitchen, but it’s still a plaster with a hardener,” he says.
“It’s a bit stronger but with pots and pans and things like that, when you hit your normal cabinetry doors it doesn’t matter so much, but with micro cements and Venetian plaster it will start to chip.
“It’s not the most practical thing for kitchens. It looks great, but once it’s been there a while the wear can show.”
How much Venetian plaster is too much?
As with any design trend, it’s important to make sure it works in with your home’s overall design and aesthetic.
Hale advises those who wish to include Venetian plaster in their finished build to work with a designer to achieve the right balance and look and feel.
“You need to do your research and work out what works for you,” he says. “You can customise any colour, but you need to work out budgets, what finishes you want, how much you want to do.”
“Some [of our clients] want to do large areas; some people will do all internal living areas. Other people with smaller budgets might just do feature walls.
“Work with the designer and architect to ensure it fits in with everything you’re doing.”
As for finishes, Hale says the most popular looks are minimalistic with a few trowel movements to add texture and movement.
“Everyone is after slightly smooth textured finishes. Usually they’re after a gloss or a matt, minimalistic with some colour movement and trowel movement,” he says.
“It’s personal preference [as to how much you have in the house]. If it’s done right it works, but it’s got to be done right.”
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