Venetian Plaster · London & the Home Counties
Venetian PlasteringHand-Applied Polished PlasterAcross London & the Surrounding Counties
A beautiful, hand-applied decorative finish that brings the depth and movement of polished marble to your walls — built up in fine layers and burnished to a soft, luminous sheen. Aaron trained in Venetian plastering and hand-applies every finish himself.
Hand-applied by Aaron · Free, no-obligation quote
28
Years on the tools
£5m
Public liability cover
About this service
What venetian plaster really involves — and who it's for.
What it is
Italian-style polished plaster finishes — Marmorino, stucco Veneziano, stucco lustro, tadelakt, concrete-effect and metallic finishes — applied in multiple thin layers, burnished with steel, and sealed for a deep, luminous, low-maintenance wall.
Who it's for
Interior designers, architects, hospitality brands, boutique retailers, and homeowners building once and building properly. Specified for feature walls, full rooms, bathrooms, fireplaces, kitchens and reception spaces.
When you need it
When paint and wallpaper aren't enough. When the room needs a finish with depth, texture and quality that photographs can only hint at.
Why it matters
Venetian plaster is a traditional wall finish that ages beautifully and brings a tactile quality no paint or paper can replicate. Aaron trained in Venetian plastering and hand-applies every finish himself, taking real pride in the result.
What happens if it's done badly
The mistakes that cost the most — and how we avoid them.
Most 'Venetian plaster' isn't
Roller-applied effect paints sold as polished plaster have none of the depth, durability or burnished light-play of the real material. They flatten in months.
Wrong substrate, wrong finish
Polished plaster over uneven plasterboard or untreated paint shows every flaw. Substrate preparation is half the job.
Sealed badly, ruined fast
Unsealed or under-sealed Marmorino marks with every fingerprint. The wax or sealer system is the difference between a 10-year wall and a 1-year wall.
Our process
Five quiet, considered steps from first call to sign-off.
01
Consultation & sampling
We walk the space, agree the effect, and produce a hand-finished sample panel for sign-off before any wall is touched.
02
Substrate preparation
Walls skimmed flat where required, sanded, primed with the correct mineral primer for the plaster system.
03
Layered application
Two to four thin coats of polished plaster applied with steel trowel — each coat dried, sanded and prepared for the next.
04
Burnishing & sealing
Final coat burnished by hand to bring up the polish, then sealed with wax or breathable mineral sealer for waterproofing and protection.
05
Handover
Walk-through, care guide, and sample panel left with you for any future touch-up reference.
Why clients choose us
Specific, concrete reasons — not vague promises.
Decades of life
A properly applied, sealed Venetian wall lasts 20+ years with minimal maintenance.
Tactile depth
Layered plaster catches and shifts light through the day — a quality no paint achieves.
Bathroom and wet-area safe
Tadelakt and waxed Marmorino are genuinely waterproof — beautiful in wet rooms and showers.
Low-VOC and mineral
Natural lime and mineral materials — breathable, healthy, and historically proven.
Applied personally
Every wall is applied personally by Aaron as part of the project — no rotating sub-contractors.
Designer-grade samples
We make hand-finished sample panels for every project so the designer or homeowner approves the exact effect first.
The detail behind the work
Materials, methods and the variations that matter.
Polished plaster covers a family of related Italian finishes, each with a slightly different look, texture and use case. The right specification depends on the room, the light, the substrate and the effect you want.
Materials we work with
- Marmorino — lime and marble-dust plaster, satin to high-polish finish
- Stucco Veneziano — the classic high-gloss, mirror-like Venetian finish
- Stucco lustro — soft sheen, deep luminous depth, traditional Italian formulation
- Tadelakt — Moroccan lime plaster, waterproof, ideal for wet rooms and showers
- Concrete-effect plasters — contemporary matte microcement and beton-ciré finishes
- Metallic plasters — bronze, copper and gold-leaf integrated finishes
Methods we apply
- Hand-trowel application in thin successive layers
- Steel burnishing of the final coat to bring up the polish
- Wax sealing for traditional finishes; breathable mineral sealing for wet areas
- Sample-panel approval before any wall is touched
Variations of this service
Feature walls
A single statement wall in stucco Veneziano or Marmorino — the most popular spec.
Full-room finishes
Reception, bedroom and dining-room walls finished floor-to-ceiling.
Wet-area tadelakt
Showers, bathrooms and wet-room walls in waterproof tadelakt — a tile alternative.
Fireplaces and chimney breasts
Heat-tolerant lime plasters for surround and breast finishes.
Hospitality and retail
Restaurant, bar and boutique-retail walls finished for impact and durability.
Situations this service applies to
- Designer-specified residential projects
- High-end new build feature walls
- Bathroom and shower finishes as a tile alternative
- Restaurant, hotel and bar interiors
- Heritage property repairs where lime plaster is appropriate
Residential vs commercial
Residential
Residential work is led by sample-panel approval with the homeowner or designer, with finishes specified for living-room and bathroom durability.
Commercial
Commercial work integrates brand colour-matching, contract-grade sealers and out-of-hours programming for hospitality and retail openings.
Frequently asked
Straight answers, conversion-focused.
If your question isn't here, call 07730 008046 or get in touch.
How much does Venetian plaster cost per square metre?
Polished plaster typically runs £120–£260 per square metre fully applied, depending on the system (Marmorino, stucco Veneziano, tadelakt), the number of coats and the substrate condition.
Is Venetian plaster waterproof?
Tadelakt is genuinely waterproof and used in wet rooms and showers. Waxed Marmorino is water-resistant. We'll specify the right system for the room.
How long does it take to apply?
A single feature wall typically takes 3–5 working days from prep to seal. A full room runs 1–2 weeks depending on size and the number of coats.
How long does Venetian plaster last?
Properly applied and sealed, 20+ years with minimal maintenance. It ages beautifully and develops character rather than wearing out.
Can I see a sample before committing?
Yes — we make a hand-finished sample panel for every project so you approve the exact colour, sheen and texture before any wall is touched.
Can it go over existing paint?
Yes, with the correct mineral primer and substrate preparation. Loose or unstable paint must be removed first.
Does it work in bathrooms?
Tadelakt is purpose-made for wet areas and is a beautiful, jointless alternative to tile. We've finished showers, splashbacks and wet-room walls in it.
Is it expensive to maintain?
No — a soft cloth and clean water is enough for cleaning. Waxed walls can be refreshed every 5–10 years with a re-wax.
Do you cover my area?
Yes — Venetian plaster projects across London, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Essex, Middlesex and Northamptonshire.
Related services
Often specified alongside venetian plaster.
Feature Wall Design
A single wall that earns the room — designed with you, finished by one specialist, photographed-ready in days not weeks.
ExploreSkim Coating
Walls and ceilings flattened with a true skim coat — the foundation every premium paint, paper or polished plaster finish actually needs.
ExploreDecorating
One craftsman, one standard — detail-led decorating that respects the property, the palette and the people living in it.
ExploreNext step
A wall the room is built around. Hand-finished, sealed, signed off.
Free on-site consultation and a hand-finished sample panel before any commitment.
28 years' experience