Venetian Plaster Styles for Your Home
Venetian plaster, or Venetian stucco as it sometimes called, has a rich history going back hundreds of years. Some claim this type of plaster is related to plastering techniques that were started 9,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. The styles used in home design now, however, are more closely related to the techniques developed by the Venetian masters.
There are several different styles of Venetian plaster you can replicate in your own home.
Traditional Venetian Plaster
Traditional Venetian plaster is much different than the plastering techniques used today, although you can still find some companies that offer it. It involves mixing together limestone with marble powder and several other ingredients to get the proper finish and look.
In ancient times, other materials such as hair or even hay were added into the mixture before it was applied to walls to give them a unique texture. Sand was also commonly used to give the walls a grittier feel and texture and may sometimes still be used today.
Venetian Look Plaster
More modern styles for Venetian plaster still involve limestone, in some cases, but the other ingredients are typically synthetic. Fiberglass is sometimes used for texture, and some designers will also use acrylic fibers to simulate hair. These materials are more hygienic and can typically recreate the traditional look quite well.
Although the materials have changed, the finished appearance is quite close, and the techniques to achieve the style are the same. You create the mix of materials, moisten it and apply it to the wall using a metal trowel or brush until the desired texture and design is reached.
Different Techniques
Each time you apply Venetian plaster, you can end up with a different look unless you absolutely mimic the same technique each time. It is necessary when applying plaster that you do an entire wall to avoid having any natural inconsistencies and for a more polished final appearance.
Common techniques include smoothing the mixture onto the walls with a trowel, in varying patterns. You can also add different levels of pigment to the mixture before applying it to create an hombre pattern on a wall.
One of the best features of Venetian plaster is that you can create your own style and you are limited by only the materials you use and your own creativity. Experimentation is encouraged and can help you create a true masterpiece in your home.
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