How to: Venetian Plaster

Clean the wall surface to be covered and allow to dry thoroughly. Lay drop cloths to protect floors, furniture and other furnishings and tape off any adjoining wall space, molding, woodwork trim or window or door fixtures to ensure no plaster gets onto them.

Apply a thin layer of plaster to the wall using a hand trowel positioned at a 5-degree angle with wide, sweeping, overlapping strokes. The plaster should appear to be “raised” off of the surface of the wall. Try to create random-looking motion patterns.

Allow the first coat to dry until slightly tacky and repeat the process one or two more times, until the desired effect is achieved. You may use fine-grit sandpaper to sand down any unusually high ridges or to smooth out imperfections between coats.

Examine final dried coat of plaster to determine if there are unusual patterns you want to “touch up,” or if there are inconsistencies in the finish. Reapply additional plaster, if necessary.

Apply a glaze or stain to the fully-dried plaster finish using a paintbrush, paint roller, of if you want a more rustic look, apply by hand with cheesecloth. As with the plaster application, the goal is to create a consistent yet free-form look in the color of the plaster. To achieve differentiation in color, use a second piece of dry cheesecloth to gently wipe excess glaze from select portions of the wall to recreate the look of natural aging. If a darker patina is desired, apply antiquing glass with a cheese cloth, rubbing the glaze into the surface and wiping off the excess. Allow to dry overnight.

Finish the surface of the wall, if desired, with a flat, semi-gloss or glossy coat of varnish.