Venetian plaster is a hand-applied lime or acrylic plaster finish that creates a smooth, multi-depth wall surface with a polished or matte appearance resembling natural stone. Applied in thin layers and burnished with a steel trowel, it adds genuine texture, depth, and warmth that paint cannot replicate. We install Venetian plaster walls and ceilings across Kamloops and surrounding areas.
Paint covers a wall. Venetian plaster becomes part of it. Hand-applied in multiple thin layers and burnished to a smooth, reflective finish, it creates the kind of depth and warmth that makes a room feel completely different — richer, more considered, more like something that was built rather than finished.
The technique goes back centuries, but the materials we use are modern formulations that perform better in residential and commercial conditions. Traditional lime-based systems are breathable, antimicrobial, and genuinely durable. Modern acrylic-modified systems offer more colour flexibility and higher moisture resistance for bathrooms, kitchens, and commercial spaces.
We install Venetian plaster on feature walls, full rooms, ceilings, fireplaces, columns, arches, and custom millwork across Kamloops. No two applications look exactly the same, because each one is done by hand — and that's the whole point.
What's included
- Surface preparation. We assess and prep the substrate — drywall, existing plaster, or masonry — with the right primer and any skim coat needed for flatness.
- Colour consultation. We work through samples with you in your actual space and lighting to land on a colour and tone that does what you want.
- Multi-layer application. Two to three coats of plaster go on progressively, each worked to build depth before the next layer.
- Burnishing. The final coat is burnished with a steel trowel to create the characteristic polish. Pressure, timing, and technique determine whether the finish reads as high-gloss marble, soft stone, or matte lime.
- Wax or sealer (if needed). In bathrooms, kitchens, or high-touch areas we apply a protective wax or sealer to lock in the finish and add moisture resistance.
- Trims and edges. We tape, cut, and finish all edges cleanly so the plaster reads as deliberate, not rough.
When you need venetian plaster
You want texture that paint can't give you
Venetian plaster has physical depth — it catches light differently at different times of day. Paint sits flat.
A feature wall for a living room or dining room
One Venetian plaster wall in a room changes how the whole space reads. It doesn't need to be a big room.
A restaurant, hotel, or commercial space
High-end hospitality and commercial spaces use Venetian plaster because it looks like serious money without requiring marble.
A bathroom or wet area that needs something better than tile
Sealed Venetian plaster in a shower or bathroom is genuinely waterproof and looks far more distinctive than tile.
Your interior reno needs a centrepiece
If you're renovating and everything else is already good, a Venetian plaster wall or fireplace surround makes the room feel finished.
You want something that ages well
Lime plaster improves with age. It breathes, it develops a patina, and it doesn't yellow or crack the way paint does over time.
Our process
- 1Consultation and samples. We visit, look at the space, and work through colour and finish samples. We test on the actual wall where possible so you see the real result before committing.
- 2Surface prep. Substrate is cleaned, repaired if needed, and primed. Flat is important — Venetian plaster follows the wall, it doesn't hide problems.
- 3First coat. A thin base coat of plaster is applied and allowed to cure fully. This creates the foundation layer.
- 4Second coat. The second layer goes on in a different direction, building depth and beginning to create the stone-like visual character.
- 5Burnish and finish. The final coat is applied and immediately burnished with a clean steel trowel. This compresses the surface and creates the polish. The result depends on this step — it's the skilled part.
- 6Wax or seal. If the space needs moisture or abrasion protection, we apply a compatible wax or sealer that preserves the look while adding durability.
- 7Clean up and final review. We clean the space, review the finish in different lighting, and touch up any areas before handing it back.
Why choose Kamloops Concrete Polishing for venetian plaster
Genuine handcraft, not a roller texture
Every application is done by hand with a steel trowel. There are no shortcuts that get the same result.
Material knowledge
We know which plaster system suits which application: lime for breathable traditional finishes, acrylic-modified for moisture-heavy areas, Marmorino for a harder stone-like result.
Colour work done properly
Colour in Venetian plaster isn't what it looks like on a chip — it shifts with depth, burnishing, and light. We test on your wall in your light before we commit.
Paired with our concrete work
Many of our clients want matched floor and wall finishes — polished concrete floors with Venetian plaster walls. We do both, and the result reads as a complete interior rather than two separate trades.
Honest about what works
Not every wall or substrate is ideal for Venetian plaster. We'll tell you if prep work is needed or if a different finish will serve you better in a specific application.
Areas we serve
We provide venetian plaster across Kamloops and the Thompson Valley. See all areas we serve.
