Have I mentioned how much I love plaster? Venetian plaster, lime plaster, really any decorative plaster. Plaster is unmatched in its ability to add depth and character to any space. My personal obsession with plaster began after I used lime plaster on my family room fireplace (see it here). Since then I have contemplated applying plaster to just about every surface in my home. For my next project I really want to a dimensional plaster. I am still undecided if I will go with fluted, ribbed or a slatted relief, more on that to come in the future…

So what if you want to add the rich look of plaster to your home? Your first reaction may be to think you have to hire a professional, and of course hiring a plaster artisan is always an option, albeit somewhat cost prohibitive for most. But don’t despair with a little practice you too can achieve beautiful decorative plaster finishes in your own home. Fortunately with its rise in popularity, companies have sought to create user friendly products and improve workability. What once only used to be available to the trade there is a growing number of products available to the avid DIYer.

Among these options there are a broad range of traditional and synthetic acrylic plasters as well as mineral based lime paints that can also achieve rich finishes. My personal preference is for the natural plasters and paints such as lime and clay, these finishes are no VOC, breathable, and naturally mildew resistant making them ideal eco conscious products that are healthy for both your home and the environment. The best part, there are an abundance of ready mix plaster options on the market.

So let’s run through all of your options…..

 Decorative Paints

There are an abundance of products on that market made to imitate the appearance of decorative plaster finishes. Many of these “paint” alternatives are made to be troweled on by hand imitating the troweled appearance of traditional plaster. Differing from “faux” painting techniques, the products are buildable and have texture and depth when applied. 

Where to Buy: The Decora Company , Portola Paints.

The Decora Company website has an abundance of tutorial videos on their site for many of their product offerings.

Lime Wash Paint

Lime wash paint is another natural and healthy interior and exterior wall coating option, it has no VOCs, is breathable, and resists moisture and mildew.  The application of lime wash paint creates a soft velvety mottled textural appearance. The use of lime wash finishes is ideal if you are not able to apply traditional plasters to your walls but desire the rich plaster like look. Because of the rise of popularity as an interior and exterior finish there are multiple brands that have broadened the availability and color options for lime wash walls both for interior and exterior use. But it is also an option to mix your own lime wash with a bag of hydrated lime from your local hardware store (see more about that here).

Credits: Architectural Digest; SIMO Design, Portola Paints; Vestige Home, Portola Paints; Monica Wang for The Revery

Where to Buy: Portola Paints and Glazes, Antica Collection, Romabio, Sydney Harbour Paint Company

Acrylic Plasters 

Acrylic plaster is a product developed to mimic true plaster. The finish is typically applied by trowel and can be burnished to create shine and translucency much like traditional lime plasters. Acrylic plaster much less flexible in terms of textures that can be achieved but range of colors available is robust.

Where to Buy: Modern Masters, The Decora Company , Valspar, Behr, Sherwin Williams also have options.

Modern Masters website has a good deal of instructional videos and tutorials on how to apply their products.

The Decora Company also offers video instruction on the application process and technique for their products. 

Lime Plaster

Lime plaster is probably the most widely available and versatile option as far as traditional plasters go and is typically referred to as Venetian Plaster. The origins of lime plasters date back to ancient Egyptian times, but the material had a renaissance in early Italy where the tradition of decorative Venetian plasters were developed for use in architecture and interiors. The versatility of finishes that can be achieved with Venetian lime plaster are limitless, they can range from rustic to ultra matte and modern.

Depending on the type of finish you hope to achieve there are variations in the type of lime plaster you would choose. The aggregate size will determine if the plaster will lend itself to a more polished or matte stone like appearance. Venetian plaster finishes are rich and create a beautiful interplay with light. You can achieve the look of marble, concrete, or travertine to name a few. No application is ever quite the same making it a unique and exciting finish.

Credits: Kamp Studios, Eye Swoon

Where to Buy: The Decora Company 

Clay Plaster

Clay plaster again has ancient origins. Similar to lime plasters clay plaster creates a rich textural finish that has a beautiful interplay with light in a space. Clay plasters have also come a long way and the options for different textural appearances that can be achieved have grown with multiple ranges in clay plaster offerings. The effect of clay plaster walls equals the beauty of Venetian plaster and depending on desired result is a great choice.

Credits: Clayworks, Monica Wang for The Revery, Nicole Franzen for Klein Agency

Where to Buy: Portola Paints + Glazes, American Clay, Clayworks

As you can see the options are vast for achieving beautiful rich finishes in a variety of materials. Varying in cost and difficulty it is best to do your research when you choose a desired finish. Each product has its own requirements for substrate prep and application. Many plaster products require a seal of some sort, so make sure you follow the steps to ensure your work is preserved and protected for years to come. If you are concerned about repairs most modern plasters are able to be patched unlike their predecessors.

But do not fear it is absolutely possible to achieve any of these looks on your own, but like any project, preparation and proper tools are everything! It is also a good idea to practice your technique a bit prior to application. If you find the idea of tackling a plaster project on your own intimidating, try to start out with lime wash paint or pick a smaller project to get your feet wet!

You May Also Enjoy