Colorwise And More is a professional plaster wall finishes contractor for residential and commercial spaces serving Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Milton, Bethany Beach and entire Sussex county of Delaware. Whether we are creating an elegant, unique environment for your home or an inviting atmosphere within a commercial office or business-related space, we craft the ideal color and design scheme to suit your creative vision.
At Colorwise And More we know there are a myriad of options when it comes to decorative painting and faux finishes – it can even become overwhelming. Our solution? To work with you one-on-one during a free at home consultation so that we can determine what palette and textures will suit your décor choice from literally thousands of colors and finishes with the assistance of our skilled artisans, and we guarantee you'll be thrilled with our extraordinary results!
Please read about how we work to know what to expect. Also check out our Venetian Plaster gallery to see some examples of our applications.
Venetian Plaster (some people spell it as Venecian Plaster), or Marmorino Veneziano, is a decorative paste plaster utilized for interior application. This technique uses thin layers of plaster applied with a trowel or spatula, then polished to create the desired illusion of depth and texture. Although the term "Venetian Plaster" is a relatively modern phrase to the world of interior decorating, it is actually an ancient stucco technique with materials originally derived from lime and marble.
Modern adaptations of Venetian Plaster are composed organic ingredients, acrylic binders, and calcium, inspired by the ornate plaster-work of Renaissance Italy. Natural lime plasters have been around since the times of the ancient Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks, rendering the craft of Venetian Plaster - an age-old art form that has been passed on for thousands of years through generations of skilled craftsmen.
Depending upon the applications used by the artisan, the finish of Venetian Plaster can vary from granular in appearance and texture to glossy and smooth to the touch.
Like many traditional plastering techniques, this one achieves its effect with a combination of distinctive materials and expert application; the addition of acrylic polymers to the recipe results in a much more durable and long-lasting surface than traditional plaster formulas. Furthermore, Colorwise And More's diverse range of premium, water-based products are stain-resistant, 100% washable, odorless, and solvent-free, enabling breathability for mold prevention and ensuring your enjoyment for years to come.
Venetian Plaster has a rich history, with origins dating as far back as 5,000 thousands years ago to areas of the Mesopotamia (referring to the region now known as Iraq, parts of eastern Syria, Kuwait, southeastern Turkey, and southwestern Iran). Eventually, this time-honored craft spread in popularity among southern Europe, notably ancient Italy and Greece.
There has been historical and archeological evidence that common baked clay was gradually replaced with plaster and grouted with lime, versus the traditional adhesive bitumen (a petroleum-based mixture found in such substances as tar and asphalt). Subsequently, plaster became a standard ingredient in formal and residential architecture.
As you can see, plaster was initially used for utilitarian purposes, but eventually developed into a more decorative art form that it is known today.
Venetian Plaster was originally composed of natural aged limestone derivates and ground marble dust to create stucco wall finishes, which were often washed over with various pigments or painted on directly in the form of a fresco. During its early inception, Roman craftsmen executed a painstaking, labor-intensive process to achieve the desired effect.
However, it was the famous Italian architect Andrea Palladio who re-discovered Venetian Plaster techniques during his studies of the 16th century, incorporating the art form into the splendid Venetian villas that are still to this day the distinguishing mark of his career.
Traditional Venetian Plaster was an aesthetic practice that spread throughout Italy, and eventually swept across the entire region of Europe in the 17th century. Although this finish was originally intended to protect structures, the Venetians elevated the application to the artful level, introducing natural pigments to add a decorative touch to both interior and exterior surfaces.
Venetian Plaster is utilized today as an ornamental faux finish, imparting a look of elegance, old-world charm and distinct sophistication.