LusterStone – venetian plaster alternative for the new millenium

Venetian plaster is a fan favorite and we've used it for years . Basically a long time ago,

some clever fellow figured out how to take a local mineral (lime) and through a chemical process using heat and water and marble dust, come up with an amazing plaster product that was natural and produced a hard shiny marble like finish. The Italians used it all over Italy and designers everywhere have put it to good use for centuries.

Nowadays this finish still works well in high end homes and commercial spaces that are not subject to a lot of abuse.

However there is a downside from the applicator's point of view. Venetian plaster walls can be difficult to maintain in close proximity to kids, pets, or locations where walls can get dinged, bashed ,dirtied, food stained, etc. Because of the custom nature of the product, patching or repairing venetian plaster can be difficult without having to redo large areas to avoid having the repairs stand out.  Wax helps protect it, but repairing wax can also be difficult to match. Finally, venetian plaster does not store well, so it is difficult to keep a container on hand for repairs.

Many companies have tried to come up with synthetic venetian plaster with varied success. Our experience with most of these alternatives has not been good. However, we have used one plaster product, that doesn't try to be Venetian but still provides a very aesthetic and workable alternative.

LusterStone.

Formulated by a chemist, this product is very easy to apply with a trowel. It can be applied in multiple layers so you can create movement in it. It can also be applied smoothly and sanded to create a very iridescent look.  We have used it in many, many projects, just a few are pictured below.

If you are looking for a traditional Venetian look, this product will not give you that. However if you have a more contemporary setting, this product lends itself to modern looks and decors. It comes in about 40 colors and you can also custom tint it. You can apply it in a few coats or more if desired and it doesn't require waxing.  It can be scrubbed clean from most dirt and stains, and the best thing is it can easily be patched and it will blend well.  The material keeps well in a sealed container so you can keep it on hand for repairs. I have it in a number of rooms in my own home, and have patched and repaired it on numerous occasions with a seamless result. 

The down sides? It's not a lime product and it won't give you the depth and movement unique to a Venetian plaster. It costs more per gallon although you spend less man hours in application.

All in all,  if you love a traditional Venetian plaster look we can easily provide that. But if you have a contemporary setting, a commercial project, or spaces subject to a lot of traffic and abuse, we suggest LusterStone as a great alternative.

Ciao,

Kevin