Venetian plaster under marble, application and finishing

Venetian plaster is an opulent and adaptable material that gives any interior a refined look. When used in conjunction with a marble effect, walls become sophisticated surfaces that resemble premium marble. This method is well-liked for both residential and commercial settings since it blends classic craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

To get the glossy, marble-like finish, Venetian plaster is applied in multiple layers using particular techniques. To achieve the proper texture and sheen, the process calls for expertise and precision in addition to the materials. When it comes to producing an exquisite and long-lasting wall surface, knowing how to apply and finish Venetian plaster correctly can make all the difference.

This post will go over the preparation, application, and finishing steps of applying Venetian plaster to create the illusion of marble. Whether you’re a professional looking to improve your technique or a do-it-yourself enthusiast, these tips will help you use Venetian plaster to create a flawless, marble-like finish.

Roman invention.

It is not even from Venice, despite its name. Rome was the place of its invention. There, someone had the bright idea to use the dust and crumbs left over from sawing marble. And Venice, during the Renaissance, several centuries later, is responsible for its second birth. This finishing technique is referred to as "marmorino" or "stucco veneziano" in Italian. It served as a foundation for paintings and frescoes as well as an independent wall covering.

Different kinds of Venetian plaster were applied. Such a coating has endured in some buildings in Venice, which is situated on the water, for more than a century, demonstrating its exceptional durability. Back then, applying Venetian plaster was already considered an art. Painting endures quite well on this type of "artificial" marble, as the Venetians discovered in their day. For many years, the paints stay fresh. It is probably the only one in this regard.

Such plaster was frequently used as a canvas by Middle Ages artists.

The lack of joints in Venetian is another benefit. It works with any shape of wall. It costs less than natural marble as well.

Venetian plaster wall decoration has been one of the most popular types of coating for centuries because of its many benefits.

Gloss, velvet, relief..

This finishing technique is still in demand today. Glossy, relief, and semi-gloss are its three primary uses. Venetian plaster comes in a variety of classic varieties.

1. One looks like polished marble, is extremely easy to apply, and is covered with wax on top.
2. The second very well imitates the texture of marble: the coating is translucent. It resembles travertine rock – stalactites in underground caves are “made” of it. This type looks luxurious and fits harmoniously into classic, vintage interiors and goes well with the Baroque style. Such Venetian plaster under marble is one of the most common solutions in modern interiors.
3. There is a velvety one, with glossy veins scattered across the surface. It is suitable for rooms with high humidity.
4. Another variety has a semi-matte surface, with dark inclusions. It looks like granite. It is covered with wax.
5. The golden translucent plaster contains gold dye. This creates a feeling of shining luxury.

These kinds of decorative coatings are made using various compositions of wax. Every variety has unique characteristics of its own, including how Venetian plaster is applied in each situation.

The surface is coated with a thin layer of wax and just allowed to absorb it to create a matte finish.

There is another kind of wax used to achieve gloss. Using a specialized spatula, it is leveled and then vigorously rubbed in. The shine is caused by the top layer polymerizing due to friction, which produces an intriguing effect. Either way, applying Venetian plaster as a finishing touch is an intriguing solution. Considering how old this technology is, it looks very contemporary.

Occasionally, the composition is comparable to pricey imported blends. Venetian plaster will be significantly less expensive in this instance, and its consumption per square meter will differ.

Components.

Fine marble chips are the primary ingredient in Venetian plaster. It is supplemented with quartz, granite, and other stone dust and chips. The coating will be more spectacular the smaller the particles.

The juice of different plants, animal blood, and other natural dyes were added by medieval artisans along with stone chips, dust, and slaked lime. Water was then added to achieve the desired shade. The final mixture had the consistency of thick, thick sour cream. These days, Venetian plaster for marble is made in a slightly different way. Here, ubiquitous synthetics also took part. Modern mixtures contain polymers, acrylic being one of them.

Nowadays, dyes are also typically synthetic. Some people believe that a composition like this makes applying Venetian plaster simpler. According to experts, a composition like this makes it impossible to attain a true shine like the one provided by the traditional recipe. This is probably overstating things, though.

There’s a second opinion: genuine stone dust and chips will make Venetian plaster on walls look good. It cannot live up to its name without this fundamental idea. In the past, actual beeswax was used to protect the final layer or finished coating. Synthetic analogs are now employed. The contemporary market offers a wide variety of mixes, most of which deviate significantly from the original recipe and have varied compositions.

The more closely the product (artificial marble) resembles the original, the more confidently you can refer to it as Venetian plaster, say experts.

In this, the composition is crucial. For instance, the same brand of dyes can be used to tint Venetian plaster VGT. If you are familiar with the proper ratios of the ingredients, you can even make the mixture yourself if you so choose.

Many options are available today, one of which is to prepare Venetian plaster using regular putty.

Any wall can be transformed by the opulent, marble-like finish that Venetian plaster provides. Using this method, a smooth, polished surface that resembles marble is created by applying multiple thin layers of plaster. Careful application and finishing are essential to creating this elegant effect. Begin with a superior base, apply the plaster in even layers, and use a trowel to burnish the surface until it shines. The end effect is an elegant, long-lasting finish that gives any area a hint of luxury.

The main secret.

Transparent is authentic Venetian plaster! Many layers of material are applied to achieve this effect. This produces a depth where light seems to "drown." It refracts as it moves through the layers, giving off an iridescent glow. This is a lot like the "play" of solid marble. It’s captivating.

A properly applied layer of Venetian plaster gives the impression that a transparent, pure marble wall is directly in front of you. You can simulate a surface made of onyx or malachite by using dyes, crumbs, and flour from other stones.

If one were to observe the technique involved in applying Venetian plaster, the interior would take on a distinct "aroma." It creates a unique atmosphere of comfort, good taste, elegance, and luxury wherever it is present. Of course, as long as the unchangeable rule of harmony between forms, colors, and textures is followed when designing an interior composition.

The distinct texture of Venetian plaster is transformed into a vivid accent.

Basis for success.

You can apply this kind of coating to various types of walls. Wood, concrete, and brick will work… The smoothness of the walls is the most important factor. Gaps, lumps, and indentations are not acceptable.

For this reason, it is crucial to prepare the walls before applying Venetian plaster. It is advised to use a specific mesh to reinforce the base. Applying elastic cement.

After the work is done, any imperfections, cracks, and other flaws will be even more noticeable if you did not take care to ensure that the surface was smooth before applying the mixture.

This is explained by the material’s translucent structure, which highlights flaws rather than hiding them.

Several tools are required for the work.

1. You will need a roller and a spatula.
2. You will also need a rag and a sponge, plus several containers in which to dilute the mixtures (it is better to do this with a drill with a “mixer” attachment.
3. An additional tool is a special polishing machine, for which you need to buy an attachment that polishes the wax.

How is Venetian plaster applied? The technology has been refined for a long time. The mixture is applied gradually, in layers, rather than all at once. The first layer is created as thinly as feasible. After that, a specialized spatula is used to polish and smooth it. Following that, a second layer is applied, and the process is repeated. Fourth, third,… Thus, up to seven. The finished product, called Venetian plaster, is a smooth, long-lasting layer that is three to five millimeters thick.

It requires patience, time, and experience, of course. Applying Venetian plaster involves sophisticated technology. As a result, most clients would rather leave this to the experts. Even though you can do it yourself, it is more difficult to attain the ideal outcome than it is to understand the nuances of technology. Only when this plaster is applied properly, in accordance with all the canons, will it appear genuinely exquisite and beautiful.

Long-lasting beauty.

Following the application of Venetian plaster beneath marble to the walls, carbonization—the process of absorbing carbon from the atmosphere—begins. The end effect is the formation of a very hard carbon film on the plaster’s surface, which gives the coating its special strength and acts as its primary protector. In actuality, its long-term and dependable service is also its goal.

Waxing offers additional protection by heavily sanding the surface after it has been covered in wax. In addition to being glossy or transparent, wax can also be colored, which adds a subtle tint.

Shades of natural stones, such as gray, emerald, yellow-brown, blue, and gray, are currently the most popular color schemes offered by Venetian plaster. There are more choices available: the coating can be silver, bronze, black, blue, or gold.

It’s customary to paint everything in a single hue. Today, however, there are options in multiple colors. The finishing technique known as Venetian plaster is continually changing.

A sophisticated and opulent atmosphere can be created in any space by applying Venetian plaster beneath marble. This finish offers a luxurious appearance at a lower cost by adding depth and texture while also imitating the elegance of natural marble.

Plaster is applied in several layers, each of which is carefully applied and polished to produce a smooth, reflective surface. A perfect and long-lasting final finish depends on careful planning and execution. Venetian plaster can exquisitely mimic the look of marble with close attention to detail, improving the visual appeal of your walls.

In conclusion, a workable way to get a marble-like finish without the cost and complexity of real marble is to use Venetian plaster underneath marble. It’s a terrific option for bringing a touch of elegance to any space because of its remarkable visual effects and reasonably easy upkeep.

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