Questions about Venetian plaster, wallpaper and painting

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.

They're the same family of finishes. "Venetian" refers to the Italian tradition the technique comes from, and "polished plaster" describes the burnished surface. In New Zealand both names are used.

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.

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.

Usually, yes. Plasterboard, existing plaster and painted walls can all take Venetian plaster, as long as the surface is sound, smooth and properly prepared. We check this at the consultation.

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.

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.

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.

Usually the wall your eye goes to first when you walk in, such as behind the bed, around the fireplace or the end wall of a living room. We'll suggest the best one at the consultation.

It depends on the look you want. Venetian plaster gives depth and sheen, Travertino looks like natural stone, Ottocento adds a velvety metallic glow, and wallpaper gives pattern. We make samples so you can compare.

Textured wallcoverings such as grasscloth, linen-look and faux plaster are leading the way, along with large scenic murals, Art Deco geometrics in metallic tones, and oversized botanical prints. We hang all of them.

No. You choose and buy the wallpaper you love, and we prepare the walls and install it. We're happy to check quantities with you before you order.

Yes. Removing old wallpaper can be labour-intensive, depending on the paper and the wall underneath, so we look at it first and agree the removal with you as part of the quote.

We use premium paints from Resene, Dulux, Wattyl, Benjamin Moore and Oikos, and can source other world-class brands on request.

Yes. We paint new builds for builders, developers and homeowners, from architectural homes to multi-unit developments. That includes interior and exterior painting, stains, clear coats and wallpaper.

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.

Every job is different, so the price depends on the area, the finish and the condition of the walls. We price each job after a consultation, and for decorative finishes, a sample.

Yes. We cover Christchurch and all of Canterbury for every service, and travel to Auckland, Queenstown and Wānaka for Venetian plaster and Italian decorative finishes.

Yes. Much of our decorative and commercial work comes through designers and architects. We make samples to match the design intent.