Explore Venetian Plaster & Roman Clay
Explore the beauty of Venetian Plaster and Roman Clay and create something truly unique for your home
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Venetian Glaze
Venetian plaster is a traditional, high-end wall finish originating from ancient Rome and perfected in Renaissance Venice. It's made from slaked lime, marble dust, and pigments, applied in multiple thin layers with a trowel, then burnished (polished) to create a smooth, glossy surface that mimics polished marble with depth, subtle veining, and an iridescent sheen.
Roman Clay
Roman Clay is a modern, eco-friendly wall plaster (popularized by Portola Paints) made from natural, zero-VOC materials like gypsum and minerals. It's trowel-applied in thin layers to create a textured, matte finish with subtle color variation and organic depth, resembling soft stone or stucco—adding warmth and rustic elegance to interior walls without the shine of Venetian plaster or the cloudy look of limewash.
Limewash
Limewash is an ancient, eco-friendly wall finish made from slaked lime (aged lime putty), water, and natural pigments, creating a breathable, matte paint that's brushed on in thin, diluted layers for a soft, cloudy, suede-like texture with subtle mottling and depth—often evoking an old-world patina that improves with age. Unlike the troweled, structured look of Roman Clay or the polished sheen of Venetian plaster, limewash offers a more translucent, organic, and diffused effect with visible brush strokes, making it ideal for rustic, Mediterranean, or contemporary interiors while being mold-resistant and zero-VOC.
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Roman Clay
Roman Clay is a trademarked, eco-friendly decorative wall finish created by Portola Paints & Glazes, a Los Angeles-based company. It's a modern paint/plaster hybrid primarily made from natural gypsum, minerals, and pigments (zero or ultra-low VOC), designed specifically for smooth interior walls to achieve a subtle, organic textured look resembling soft stone, concrete, stucco, or mottled marble—without the high polish of traditional plasters.
Key Characteristics
Appearance — Smooth and velvety to the touch, with natural color variation and depth from overlapping layers. Lighter colors show subtle movement, while darker shades reveal more dramatic texture and dimension.
Finish — Naturally matte and ultra-low sheen; optional Roman Clay Topcoat adds subtle sheen, wipeability, and protection (darkens color 10-20%) for high-traffic areas like kitchens or bathrooms.
Application — Troweled or putty-knifed in thin, overlapping layers (typically 2-3 coats) on primed, very smooth drywall. Walls must be flawlessly prepped—any texture or imperfections will show. It's more labor-intensive than paint but forgiving for skilled DIYers or pros.
Benefits — Breathable, mold-resistant potential from natural ingredients, adds warmth and rustic elegance to modern, traditional, or minimalist spaces.
Venetian Plaster
Venetian plaster is a high-end wall and ceiling finish made from slaked lime putty, marble dust, and natural pigments. Applied in multiple thin layers with a trowel, it is then burnished to create a smooth, polished surface that mimics the look of marble, complete with subtle depth, veining, and a glossy or semi-glossy sheen that reflects light beautifully.
Key Characteristics
Appearance: Venetian plaster creates a smooth, marble-like surface with subtle veining, natural color variations, and a sense of depth that shifts with lighting. It has an elegant, sophisticated look featuring soft iridescence or glow, ranging from a high-polish mirror effect to a softer satin sheen—far more refined and luminous than flat paint or matte plasters like Roman Clay.
Texture and Finish: Highly polished through burnishing (compressing the surface while semi-dry); feels ultra-smooth to the touch, with a sophisticated, elegant glow that shifts with lighting.
Application: Applied in multiple thin layers using a steel trowel; labor-intensive process requiring skilled technique; often sealed with natural wax or topcoat for protection, durability, and enhanced shine.
Properties: Naturally breathable, mold-resistant, eco-friendly (zero-VOC in lime-based formulas), durable for decades or longer; suitable for interior walls, ceilings, and sometimes exteriors; offers a luxurious, timeless look distinct from matte finishes like Roman Clay.
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If you’re interested in working with us on your Venetian Plaster or Roman Clay project. Schedule an estimate with us today