Modern decorative plaster: what it is and what it looks like?

From its traditional beginnings, decorative plaster has evolved into a multipurpose material that gives walls personality and texture. These days, it goes beyond simply smoothing over blemishes and covering imperfections. Modern decorative plaster is a popular option for people wishing to add a touch of sophistication and elegance to their interiors because it provides an infinite number of design possibilities.

The ability of contemporary decorative plaster to imitate a broad variety of materials and finishes sets it apart. There is a plaster for every style you desire, be it the warmth of wood, the smooth look of polished concrete, or the natural stone look. These finishes elevate walls beyond simple background elements by giving any space depth and dimension in addition to their visual appeal.

The versatility of contemporary decorative plaster is another important aspect. It can be tailored to fit various tastes and styles and applied to nearly any surface, including brick and drywall. Decorative plaster offers a seamless way to achieve any style—rustic, industrial, or contemporary—without the need for pricey materials or difficult installations.

What is decorative plaster?

This finishing material is a great substitute for tiles and wallpaper and is categorized as a finishing coating. In contrast to basic (leveling) plaster, decorative plaster gives the surface a finished appearance right away after application.

It can be used to simulate a wide range of textures, from intricate, unusual reliefs to brick and stone, and is useful for both interior design and exterior building facades.

Composition

• Decorative plaster mixtures are varied in their composition. The basis can be the same dry materials that are used to level the walls:gypsum, cement, lime, clay. These mineral binders are sold in powder form, and each of them requires preparation according to a specific recipe.

• In addition, plaster can be polymer-based: acrylic, silicone, latex, etc., which are also widely used for finishing and decor, but have their own characteristics and advantages.
• The composition of these coatings often includes fillers that create a certain surface texture: stone granules, marble chips, sand, flocks (flakes), various synthetic fibers, etc.
• To add color to the plaster solution, coloring pastes or any color pigments are added. Polymer decorative compositions are sold ready for application and already of a certain color. But their shade can also be changed with a colorant.

Plastering with only a white or gray solution is another option. In this instance, after drying, more paint is applied to the walls.

Pros and cons

Decorative plaster offers a lot of benefits.

• First of all, it has an attractive appearance, a wide range of shades and textures.
• Another advantage is the complete absence of seams in the finish – there is no need to match the pattern or join the edges as when gluing wallpaper.
• Ease of application. High-quality plaster is flexible, easy to apply and evenly distributed over the surface. You can work with small areas of the wall, gradually applying the mixture and creating a relief.
• After drying, the coating becomes quite durable, tolerates light impacts and scratches well. Painted or varnished decorative finishes can be washed. They are also suitable for damp rooms.
• Due to its texture, the plaster hides minor flaws and unevenness of the walls.
• Repairability is an important advantage. Damaged areas can be quickly restored using the same solution (gypsum, polymer) as in the initial finishing. Repaired areas are tinted and varnished to match the color of the main coating.

Among the drawbacks are:

Needs at least rudimentary painting and plastering abilities. You will need to use a variety of tools during the decorating process, such as a trowel and spatula, to mix paint, apply wax, and finish the surface. Understanding various methods is also essential for producing a stunning surface. However, all of this can be quickly learned by practicing all of the skills and watching video tutorials.

One of the main drawbacks of decorative plastering is the cost of pre-made mixes. For instance, a 25 kg bucket of CERESIT CT 174 pebble plaster costs 2500 rubles; a 25 kg bucket of De Luxe SHUBA costs 1050 rubles; and an 8 kg bucket of Venetian mixture VGT Gallery costs 920 p. Paint, wax, and primer are not included in the 50–100 p cost per square meter of finishing. If you choose not to plaster yourself, we will add the master’s fee here, which ranges from 150 to 750 rubles per square meter depending on the difficulty of the job. Such decor can cost a respectable sum of money. In this sense, adhering wallpaper is less expensive and easier.

Thus, before beginning repairs, carefully consider all the advantages and disadvantages.

With its distinctive combination of texture, color, and pattern, modern decorative plaster is a chic and adaptable wall finish that can turn plain walls into focal points. In contrast to conventional plaster, it is made to improve any space’s visual appeal in addition to its durability. It can be used to create anything from smooth, modern surfaces to textured, rustic finishes. Modern decorative plaster is a popular option for both residential and commercial spaces because it can adapt to a variety of styles and tastes, whether you’re looking for a modern, minimalist look or something more elaborate and artistic.

Types of textures

We will next discuss well-known contemporary plaster decor styles that have established names. We will add images to the description to help with clarity.

Venetian decorative plaster

The appearance of this finish is reminiscent of the plaster used in medieval Europe. Its primary characteristic is a glossy, smooth surface that mimics any stone, including granite, marble, malachite, and so on. "Venetian" can have matte rough areas and light veins. It can be washed and is frequently used for interior decoration, even in moist areas.

Bark beetle

Small stone chips are added to the surface to replicate the relief of wood eaten by insects. These chips, when the solution is spread across the surface, create grooves that resemble the passageways used by bark beetles. Most frequently, it is applied to building facades. The image depicts the appearance of this particular type of decorative plaster. See our article for more details on this finishing technique.

Rain

The technique is different; only horizontal or diagonal movements are used, but the same decorative mixtures with mineral granules are used. The plaster has long grooves that resemble raindrops.

Fur coat

The texture of this plaster is like fur or pile. A building’s facade is frequently embellished "under a fur coat" by painting it after applying a basic cement-sand mortar.

Lamb

The "lamb" fur coat is not like this one because of its more rounded relief. The mixture is supplemented with tiny stones to achieve a comparable effect. There are variations in the application method as well. A pneumatic ladle and compressor are used to spread the solution across the surface. Pebble plaster can also produce a similar decorative texture.

Pebble

It is a thin layer of tiny stone particles bonded together with a plaster solution, such as silicate-silicone, cement, or acrylic. A layer of 2.5–3 mm of pebbles is evenly spaced across the wall. Buckets of premade pebble plasters are already tintable. Facade paint is typically also applied to coatings made from dry mixtures. Further information.

Mosaic

One kind of pebble plaster is this one. Although the texture is the same, painting is not necessary. consists of grains of colored marble. It appears that the wall is composed of tiny mosaics. An excellent decorative option for surfaces inside and out. Learn more about it.

Other effects and reliefs

Apart from the previously mentioned varieties of ornamental plaster, there exist an abundance of intriguing textures. You can apply arbitrary and distinctive designs or replicate the look of stone, wood texture, or leather using a spatula, trowel, relief rollers, brushes, stamps, and other makeshift tools. The image below shows some examples of lovely design techniques.

Contemporary decorative plaster, which combines practical advantages with visual appeal, has completely changed the way we think about wall finishes. Today’s decorative plaster options allow for a variety of textures, colors, and effects that can mimic anything from velvet to stone, in contrast to traditional plaster, which was primarily functional. Because of its adaptability, it’s a well-liked option for people who want to give their interiors more personality and flair.

Decorative plaster offers a versatile solution that can be customized to your unique taste, whether you’re going for a sleek, modern appearance or a rustic, vintage vibe. Because of its capacity to produce distinctive, tactile surfaces, no two applications are precisely alike, lending a feeling of uniqueness and artistry to any area.

Modern decorative plaster is not only aesthetically pleasing but also long-lasting and low maintenance, which makes it a sensible option for rooms that need to be cleaned frequently or high traffic areas. There is an ornamental plaster finish to fit every taste and price range, ranging from delicate textures to striking, eye-catching patterns.

Video on the topic

AMAZING :0 | Showcasing Classic Decor | Decorative plaster Marmoro

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