Get the Look: 4 Ways to Get Faux Venetian Plaster Walls

Venetian plaster, stucco, limestone, cement, concrete – no matter what search term you type in, the look is generally about the same. Think slightly unfinished and full of texture and dimension. Venetian plaster originated in Italy and is a popular finish that will bring in a hint of rustic charm. The finish can either be left matte or burnished with a steel trowel (meaning you rub the wall with the trowel in circular motions) for a smooth and shiny look that resembles polished marble.

The added benefit of having textured walls is that it hides imperfections. So if your wall already has a bumpy or uneven surface, then any type of textured wall will do wonders to improve the look.

Textured wallpaper is a great way to get that plaster look without picking up a trowel. Start with an accent wall or a smaller space like a guest bedroom or home office. Pair with natural finishes like wood accents and neutral colors to play up the bohemian vibes or add pops of gold for contrast. The wallpaper texture will instantly cozy up any space while adding dimension and character no matter how big of a project you take on.

The variation in color makes it easy to complete this project since you won’t find yourself struggling to line up a pattern. It also means you’ll have a lot less wasted paper, but you should still buy slightly more than you need just in case. Most textured wallpaper comes unpasted, which means you’ll need to either apply wallpaper adhesive to the paper or the wall. Refer to the wallpaper package directions to determine which method is preferred for that specific product.

TIME: Less than 1 day
COST: $75 – 250 for one wall in an 11x12 room

Available in a range of colors, limewash paint is the perfect introduction to plaster-look paint. It will give you an irregular finish with subtle color variation. Made from natural lime and powdered marble, limewash paint is a great beginner-friendly option. The product is thick but can be applied with a paint brush, roller or a trowel depending on the look you’re trying to achieve. 

A roller will give you a smooth finish, while a brush will allow for more texture to show through. A trowel will give you the most texture and control, but if you’re looking to keep things easy, a brush or roller is the way to go. You can even water the product down to make a wash that is perfect for adding a slight color and texture to porous surfaces made of brick, stone and wood.

No matter what the texture or finish is on your wall, you’ll need to start this project with a special mineral primer specifically designed to be used with plaster paint. You might think it’s ok to forego the primer, but the reviews say things like “Do NOT skip this step!” and “It makes all the difference.” The extra step will only add a few minutes to your project time and will ensure you get the desired results. 

TIME: 1+ days
COST: $60 - $350 depending on the size of the project

Similar to limewash paint, venetian plaster paint is available in a range of colors. This paint is thicker though and must be applied with a trowel or putty knife. While this means the application will take longer, the results will have more varied tones and more texture. Use two coats of venetian plaster paint on a wall in your bedroom to add a dramatic accent that is the perfect contrast to more romantic finishes.

TIME: 2+ days
COST: $100 - $200 for one accent wall

While this option is the most time and labor-intensive it will give you the most authentic results with the most color variation. You’ll think you’re on vacation off the Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy every time you see your work.

For this look you’ll take joint compound and split it equally into three buckets. Use a few drops of liquid cement color to tint each one slightly lighter or darker than the next. Once you have three buckets of tinted joint compound it’s time to start getting it on the wall.

Start with a base of the darker joint compound. Use a steel trowel to begin spreading it on the wall. Then layer in the middle and lighter colors. Step back to look at the wall often but try not to overthink it. This is supposed to look carefree. The beauty is in the imperfection.

TIME: 2+ days
COST: $75 per wall