Interior designer Marie Flanigan knows the secret to award-winning spaces – Venetian plaster. This textured wall finish adds depth, character, and a timeless atmosphere to any room. As Marie says, “Plaster walls add beautiful texture, especially when thickened around openings, giving the room more weight and mass. It beautifully delineates spaces.”
So when looking for that added wow factor Venetian plaster should be high on your list of things to explore, Microcement and concrete plasters are also in a similar remit and should be added to your list.
While plaster walls have been around for ages, designers are finding fresh, exciting ways to incorporate this classic material into modern homes, with increasingly more innovative ways to enhance your space.
Having a solution for every surface means no substrates are out of bounds and will give you a seemingly infinite amount of personalisation options with combinations of textures, tints and additives that bring your world alive in ways like never before.
Marie Flanigan, founder of the renowned Marie Flanigan Interiors, shared her top three creative uses for plaster that go beyond standard wall treatments.
- Accent walls.
From consoles to headboards, plaster brings an organic, artisanal touch to these areas and provides the perfect accent alongside the rest of the decor.
These tones and textures can be introduced as stand-out pieces or integrated into a more complementary theme that pulls it all together.
2. Fireplace Surrounds
A plaster finish adds warmth and character, making the fireplace a focal point. This is also true of the modern media unit or wall where attention is drawn. Used tastefully these simple additions can really elevate a room.
3. Bathroom Accents and Vanities.
Plaster vanities exude a luxurious, spa-like ambience in the bathroom, with Microcement being our material of choice for all things bathroom.
In addition to walls, Venetian plaster or Microcement can elevate the design of bathroom vanities, kitchen hoods, and architectural details like columns or ceiling beams. These versatile finishes work beautifully in both modern and traditional settings, injecting that extra level of personalisation. So if you’re looking to add timeless elegance and textural interest to your home, consider the comeback kid of interior design – Venetian plaster finishes. With creative applications from top designers, this classic material is fresher than ever.
How to update your home with Venetian plaster details
Marie, an interior designer based in Houston, Texas, often uses Venetian plaster in her design projects. These ideas and themes could also apply to your home, here in the UK.
Here are a few reasons why Marie Flanigan favours the use of Venetian plaster and what it means for you, the homeowner:
- Unique texture and depth: Venetian plaster provides a tactile, multi-dimensional surface that adds depth and visual interest to walls. It creates a subtle, undulating texture that appealingly catches light, making the walls look almost alive.
- Old World charm: The traditional application technique and natural lime-based ingredients give Venetian plaster an authentic, old-world feel that can lend a sense of history and character to a space.
- Versatility: Venetian plaster can be tinted in a wide range of colours and can be applied to achieve various effects, from a highly polished, marble-like finish to a more matte, suede-like appearance.
- Durability: When properly applied, Venetian plaster is a durable and long-lasting surface that can withstand wear and tear better than traditional paint finishes. You get a luxurious, high-end aesthetic: The rich, velvety appearance of Venetian plaster can lend a sense of luxury and sophistication to a home, yet give a more durable coating than regular paint or wallpapers. Also having a lower maintenance requirement, once sealed properly, Venetian plaster walls require minimal maintenance and can be easily cleaned and refreshed over time.
Overall, Marie Flanigan’s use of Venetian plaster in her designs offers homeowners a chance to incorporate a timeless, elegant, and unique element into their living spaces, creating a rich, layered environment that exudes both warmth and sophistication.
You could take inspiration from some of her work in your own projects and if you’d need some help with the installation, we’d love to have the chance.
Simply drop us an email to hello@signature-walls.co.uk
