Old World Italian Plasters
Traditional low gloss "Marmorino" and polished semi-gloss or high gloss "Grassello" plasters. Plasters are relatively thin from 1/16" to 1/4" (1.5 MM to 6 MM) top finish coats. They adhere well to new or old drywall or old plaster and lath walls and ceilings.
Lime Wash - Fine powdered limestone, marble dust, earth colorants or universal tinting colorants and water applied with a large brush. Similar to faux painted "color wash" but real plaster. Lime Wash can be troweled smooth and can be polished to a high gloss.
Marmorino is a plaster decoration that has been in use for thousands of years. It is made from crushed marble and lime putty, which can be tinted to give a wide range of colors and textures, from polished marble look to natural stone effects.
Grassello translates as "fat" or "grease" in Italian. It is the polish or the fat of the lime putty marble mixture taken to a high gloss by "burnishing" - polishing with the plaster trowel held at a particular angle. The look can also be achieved by varnishes and waxing the plaster.
Venetian plaster in a living room. Two coats of Marmorino with gloss Grassello plaster top coats.
Two coats Marmorino and gloss Grassello coats in a bath. The door and frame are pine stained to look old.