ITALIAN INTERIORS
Sarah Varley meets Venetian plaster expert Joe Rhys, who explains why this fabulous finish is perfect for creating stunning interiors. Photography: Vanessa Fry
Magnificoat owner Joe Rhys answers questions on Venetian plaster, a specialist, luxurious wall finish used to create beautiful living spaces.
What is Venetian plaster?
Venetian plaster is the ultimate bespoke wall-surfacing product, as it can be customised to suit the style of your home. It can be smooth or highly textured, polished to a gentle gleam or a high-gloss, mirror-like glaze. You can choose a bold colour, a pearlescent or metallic finish, or a pared-back neutral. Venetian plaster can also be designed to mimic the look of natural materials such as marble, travertine or limestone. It gives a really high-end finish to your home or business.
What are the advantages of Venetian plaster over other decoration methods?
Authentic Venetian plaster has many advantages. Our natural earth colourants will not fade or change over time as paint does. Most of our plaster finishes are much more durable than other alternatives, making them ideal for high traffic areas in your home or commercial setting.
Italian plaster finishes are environmentally friendly and create a healthier environment for your home or business as they don’t release VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) – many other materials such as paint and wallpaper continue to release VOCs long after they have dried.
Can it be used in bathrooms?
Absolutely, it’s perfect for bathrooms because Venetian plaster offers a grout-free, low-maintenance alternative to tiles or natural stone. It is naturally resistant to mould and mildew, and, in terms of hardness and durability, is comparable to tiles.
Is it easy to maintain?
Lime plasters are described as ‘lifetime’ finishes – they are said to be less prone to shrinking and cracking than cement finishes and will develop a beautiful patina as they age. A wax coating will help repel dirt – it is recommended that you re-wax your Venetian plaster walls every couple of years. If cleaning is required, use only water or mild soap as bleaches and harsh cleansing agents can damage the surface. It is also anti-static so it repels dust.
Are your products green?
Yes. They are a healthy option for your home as well as the environment. As an all-natural material, Venetian plaster won’t release harmful VOCs and the added lime gives the plaster a high pH level and is a natural fungicide, which means it won’t harbour mould. Our natural lime plasters and paints are VOC-free and our synthetic plasters have extremely low VOCs. They are all manufactured according to European environmental standards.
Can you customise a plaster finish just for me?
Certainly. Because of the artistic nature of Italian plaster application, each wall will be a unique statement with its own distinctive look. We will work with you or your designer to customise colours or combine plaster finishes to create a beautifully coordinated finish.
Our stencils are also a great way to add a distinctly customised look. They can be used to create a raised pattern on your wall, or to create a ‘watermark’ effect, such as your business logo in your reception area.
And the million dollar question, how much does it cost?
With its depth, sheen and tactility, Venetian plaster is undeniably luxurious and it comes with a price tag to match. The finished result is dependent on the quality of the plaster mixture and the application technique, and it is quite labour-intensive, so expect to pay from £100 per square metre for materials and installation, depending on the finish you want and the type of space you’re having decorated.
Finally, tell us about your new showroom and training school
We are really excited to be opening our new showroom in February here at Backridge Farm. It’s a great location and we will be able to showcase our expertise and give you some inspiration with just some of the thousands of options available.
Our training school is already up and running. We offer an ‘Introduction to Venetian Plastering’ course, where you can learn seven different techniques for applying this fantastic product.
Magnificoat
Backridge Farm, Twitter Lane
Clitheroe BB7 3LQ
07860 372424
magnificoat.com
