History of Venetian Finishes and Venetian Plastering

Marshall Fine Finishes specializes in Venetian finishes using the finest materials from Italy and the most advanced application techniques known to acquire the pristine finish that has become one of the most sought after wall finishes on the market today.
Herein is a short history of Venetian finishes:  
The legacy of Venice is one where nature and art come together in fortuitous harmony. It is the celebration of nature and the senses through the unity of color and light. Venetian Plaster is an ancient building material which originates with lime and marble. The term can also refer to the method of application. Lime has the versatility to be brought up to a high polish, low polish, matte finish, and smooth to the touch. It can also have a granular texture. Natural lime plasters have been around since the time of the ancient Egyptians and peoples of Antiquities. Originally, they were strictly used for the protection of structures. The Venetians made it a statement and took it to another level - they added natural pigment to create a decorative use both interiorly and exteriorly. Marshall Fine Finishes continues with this artistic flair and creative imagination capturing the refinement of technique and producing superior effects. Our outstanding finished look invites you to partake in the spirit which pervades Venice and its rich artistic history.

The best part of our Venetian finishes is the look, and this is what is driving the surge in interest in lime plaster finishes in the United States. The look of lime is soft and natural.  The light seems to go deeper into the plaster than with cement mixes and acrylic finishes.  The more common modern building materials seem to have a flat, synthetic look to them, while lime finishes have an iridescence, a translucency that make the finishes look richer.  The surface translucency and depth of color saturation is there immediately after completion of plaster work.  So the buildings and walls themselves look like Italian villas that have seen generations of families come and go over decades or centuries. When you look at our Venetian finished wall or building what you see is an extravagant work of art-a divine masterpiece.

Features of Venetian Finishes
Lime-based Finishing Plaster has gained its niche in the U.S. market because of how they look.  But they have important performance advantages as well:

• Crack resistance:  lime is far more flexible than cement, so you can expect greatly reduced cracking with lime plaster;
• Very breathable;
• Wets out and dries out FAST:  this is a new way of thinking about water resistance.  Whereas U.S. manufacturers typically try to keep water out, lime plasters perform very well in wet climates (such as in Europe) by simply allowing any water that is absorbed into the plaster to quickly evaporate and exit the structure.  This makes lime plasters the only plasters that can tolerate rising damp and canal-side applications that would delaminate acrylics and cement plasters;
• Self-healing:  during construction, when buildings are most likely to be under stress, the fresh lime has been known to actually fill in small cracks that form due to stress.  This may explain in part why lime plasters show far fewer cracks than cement plasters.  In fact, “ancient buildings have had lime mortar deep in walls which started to set when archaeologists exposed it”;
• Naturally mold-resistant:  due to its high pH (between 11 and 12), lime is a natural biocide
• Time tested:  from early Egyptian, Greek, and Roman efforts with lime through the golden age of lime in the 1800’s, lime plasters have served as durable, beautiful finishes all over the world;
• Natural and green – lime plasters are sustainable materials produced without plastics and harmful chemicals in keeping with traditional plastering methods
• Easy to patch and maintain – fresh lime plaster can be “brought back” with water spray between 2 to 4 hours after application.  This gradual setting process allows for relatively easy repairs, compared to cement and acrylic plasters.

At Marshall Fine Finishes we specialize in exquisite wall finishes and authentic Venetian Plaster. Most importantly our Venetian Plaster is environmentally safe. Only natural materials are used for that Old World finish. Our Venetian Plaster is imported from Italy and is the most superior quality available. It contains no acrylic resins, synthetic components, or solvents. Marshall Fine Finishes provides a varied line of wall finishes, from the high gloss finish to the more subtle stone-like finishes. For centuries, fine artisans have been creating beautiful walls through the use of limestone plasters colored with natural ingredients. Marshall Fine Finishes continues in this tradition. Although some Venetian Plasters are polished or “burnished” with a sheen, modern techniques have been developed to give a multitude of different effects from suede to marble to stone. 

At Marshall Fine Finishes we have a vast array of colors to choose from. Need to match a fabric, tile, or any other color scheme? No problem. Because our Venetian Plaster is a "Green" product and environmentally safe, it is easy to work with to produce any finish and color you would like us to match. Marshall Fine Finishes will work with you on your choice of color and texture.