Venetian plaster and Italian wall finishes, made by hand
Bespoke feature walls, fireplaces and interiors by Darko Ponjiger. Venetian plaster applicator since 2001 and a certified decorative finishes trainer, trained in Europe in the original Italian techniques.
Move across the wall to light it, the way we check a finish
- 25 yearsas a decorative finishes applicator
- Certified trainerQualified to train other decorative finishes applicators
- Since 2001Venetian plaster applicator
- European trainedWorked across Western Europe and New Zealand
Three finishes we're known for
From polished plaster to metallic and stone effects, each one is applied by hand in layers, so no two walls are the same. We make a sample in your colour before any work starts.
Ottocento exampleOttocento
A velvet-like metallic finish with a soft, deep shimmer that shifts with the light. Rich in living rooms, entrances and hospitality spaces.
Explore Ottocento →
Stone effect walls
Travertino
The look of natural Roman travertine without the weight or cost of stone. A timeless finish for feature walls and fireplaces.
Explore Travertino →
Polished plaster exampleMarble Venetian plaster
Polished plaster made from lime and marble, with real depth and movement. Smooth to the touch and suited to whole rooms or a single wall.
Explore Venetian plaster →Feature walls, wallpaper and painting
Alongside our decorative finishes, our team handles the rest of your interior to the same standard.
Feature walls
Plaster, stone effect, metallic, paint effects or wallpaper. Living rooms, bedrooms, fireplaces and entrances.
Feature walls →Wallpaper installation
Preparation and hanging of every type of wallpaper, including murals and designer papers. You choose the paper; we make it perfect.
Wallpaper installation →Interior and exterior painting
Residential and commercial painting across Christchurch and Canterbury, from repaints to new builds.
Painting →Commercial and fitouts
Decorative finishes for luxury retail fitouts, hotel foyers, cafés and offices.
Commercial work →From first conversation to finished wall
Consultation
We visit, look at your space and talk through how you want it to feel.
Custom sample
We make a sample board in your chosen finish and colour so you can see it in your own light.
Preparation
Walls are prepared properly first. A handmade finish is only as good as the surface under it.
Handmade application
Each layer is applied and worked by hand, then finished and protected.
Every artisan has their own hand. That's why each wall is one of a kind.
Travertino Romano entrance and facade, Akaroa
Arched entrance, columns and walls in Travertino Romano natural stone effect.
Dark and gold polished plaster fireplace wall, Cashmere Hill
A floor-to-ceiling fireplace and TV wall in dark polished plaster with gold highlights.
Black and gold polished plaster feature wall, Shirley
Polished plaster with gold veining, giving a bedroom wall a dramatic marble look.
Designer wallpaper installation, Rolleston
A bold blue cloud-and-pine paper behind the bed, cut neatly around the window.
Villa exterior painting, Cashmere Hill
Weatherboards, trim and joinery on a classic two-storey villa.
Friends and family are amazed that it's not real stone. It's fabulous to have something unique in our home.
Julie Creighton
The finish of our fireplace is an absolute masterpiece. They take such pride in their beautiful work.
Jasmin Percasky, Cass Bay
Meticulous attention to detail, and a very fine sense of colour and shading.
Anne and Patrick Dolan, Hillsborough
European trained, at home in Canterbury
Darko Ponjiger brings the original Italian art of decorative plastering to Canterbury homes. European trained, he has spent 25 years creating handmade finishes for prestigious developments and hotels in Western Europe and New Zealand.
As a certified decorative finishes trainer, he teaches other applicators the same techniques he uses on your walls. Wall Decor Limited is based in Wigram, Christchurch, and Darko leads every decorative job himself.
Christchurch, Canterbury and beyond
Christchurch and Canterbury
All services: decorative finishes, feature walls, wallpaper installation and painting. Based in Wigram, with recent projects in Akaroa, Cashmere Hill, Cass Bay, Darfield, Edgeware, Ilam, Papanui, Prebleton, Prestons, Rolleston and Shirley.
Auckland, Queenstown and Wānaka
Venetian plaster and Italian decorative finishes for homes and commercial projects.
Is Venetian plaster in style in 2026?
Yes. Textured, mineral wall finishes are one of the strongest interior trends right now, and Venetian plaster is the classic of the group. Because it's handmade with natural materials, it doesn't date the way a trend colour does.
Does a decorative finish add value to a home?
Authentic Venetian plaster is seen as a premium architectural feature, so it can lift how a home looks and feels to buyers. It works best on the walls people notice first, such as entrances, living areas and fireplaces.
What's the difference between real Venetian plaster and a faux finish?
Traditional Venetian plaster is made from lime and crushed marble, and it hardens back towards stone as it cures. Faux finishes are acrylic paints or tinted compounds made to imitate the look. They lack the depth, breathability and lifespan of the real material.
Are the materials eco-friendly?
Our main decorative finishes are Italian, made with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and indoor wellbeing. We work with Oikos, Novacolor and San Marco.
How long does a decorative finish last?
Applied correctly and looked after, a Venetian or stone-effect finish lasts for many years. We give every client simple care advice, and our workmanship is covered by our warranty.
How much does Venetian plaster cost?
Every wall is handmade to order, so the price depends on the area, the finish you choose and the condition of the walls. We price each job after a consultation and a sample.
How experienced are you?
Darko has been a Venetian plaster applicator since 2001. He trained in Europe in the original Italian techniques and is a certified decorative finishes trainer. He personally leads every decorative job.
Do you work outside Christchurch?
Yes. We cover Christchurch and all of Canterbury for every service, and travel to Auckland, Queenstown and Wānaka for decorative plaster and Italian finishes.
Can Venetian plaster go in a bathroom?
Bathroom walls away from direct water can work well, and we'll advise on your space at the consultation. For showers and other areas with constant water, we'll recommend a more suitable option.
Book a consultation
Tell us about your space and the finish you have in mind. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit.
- Mobile
- 022 425 8427
- Landline
- 03 377 1781
- info@walldecorltd.co.nz
- Based in
- Wigram, Christchurch
- View us on Google Maps