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Stucco Italiano Open Studio will be an ongoing networking event for our alumni students who want to exchange ideas and build their portfolios.
Any student who enrolls in one of our new classes, or has attended Aaron’s classes at either Vandelae Studios or Seattle Architectural Finishing Studio, is welcome to attend these fun networking events.
Upcoming 2009 Stucco Italiano Open Studios will be held on the following Saturdays:
A lot of people throw around the term “Venetian plaster,” but what does it really mean?
5 things you’ve probably heard about Venetian plaster, and why they are wrong:
1. You’ve heard: “Venetian plaster is a faux finish.”
The truth:Authentic Venetian plaster is not a faux finish. In fact, it’s the most authentic veneer wall finish you can have. When natural, lime-based venetian plaster is applied it will eventually return to it’s original state, which is lime and marble, AKA stone.
2. You’ve heard: You can buy Venetian plaster at Lowes or Home Depot.
The truth: You will find products labeled “Venetian plaster,” but they are actually composed of acrylic polymers and fillers such as gypsum and/or clay. While these synthetic Venetian plasters made by paint manufacturers may look somewhat similar to the real thing to the untrained eye, it’s been our experience that these synthetics will ultimately fade and become “tired” looking over a relatively short period of time, just like painted walls. Unlike real Venetian Plaster, synthetic Venetians are more closely related to paint than to stone, so this should come as no surprise.
3. You’ve heard: Venetian plaster can’t be applied in the shower, on exteriors, or on any surface that will get wet.
The truth: True Italian Venetian plaster is actually a wonderful choice for surfaces that will get wet. Lime plasters perform extremely well in wet climates by simply allowing any water that is absorbed into the plaster to quickly evaporate and exit the structure. That’s why they’re called Venetian plaster, because they can tolerate rising damp and canal-side applications like in the lagoons of Venice that would cause failure in acrylic and cement plasters. Traditional Moroccan lime plaster Tadelakt has been used in the Hammams (the traditional Moroccan steam baths), and in the riads of Marrakesh for centuries.
4. You’ve heard: Anyone can apply Venetian plaster in their home.
The truth: Well, it’s true that anyone canapply it. But applying it well is a different story. While we definitely aren’t saying you’ll be a pro after one day, our new PIY (Plaster-It-Yourself): The Basics workshop is a good place for a beginner to start understanding the do’s and dont’s of Venetian plaster application. Also, consider hiring a skilled contractor to do the job.
5. You’ve heard: Installing Venetian plaster in your home will break the bank.
The truth: Unlike paints which must be reapplied over and over, Venetian plaster is a lifetime finish. The material is self-healing, much less likely to crack than cement finishes, and naturally mold-resistant, resulting in beautiful walls that will withstand the test of time. Green building will be a key part of America’s economic future, and authentic Venetian plasters are not only beautiful, they fit perfectly into the future of green building.
6. You’ve heard: Venetian plaster is really shiny.
The truth: OK that’s 6 things not 5 you caught me. Yes, Venetian plaster can be brought up to a natural high sheen by compressing the material as it dries. The more compression, the higher the sheen. However, natural lime plasters can also be finished to a rustic matte or satin sheen, depending on which material is used and how it is applied. The possible looks and finishes for Venetian plaster are limitless!
Got any more questions about Venetian plaster? Ask away in the comments and we’ll do our best to shed some light on the subject.
INTRODUCING OUR NEW, All-in-One, Master Venetian Plaster Training, Materials, & Support Program
Let’s face it. These days, we’re all pinching pennies a little more than we have in the past. You are looking for more value than ever before when you reach into your pocketbook.
That’s why we are enhancing our classes by adding FREE materialand tools to take home after class, and offering GUARANTEED, ongoing, on-the-job support for our students and customers.
Whether you are a homeowner looking for a way to economically remodel your home, or a professional artisan aspiring to be at the top of the field, we can help you succeed.
High quality is important to you, but you don’t want to pay high prices for installation. Well, pick up a trowel and plaster it yourself! This one-day class introduces beginners to the foundation of Venetian plastering… (Read more about Plaster-It-Yourself)
The beginning to intermediate artisan who recognizes the importance of using the highest quality materials and the best techniques can take his or her career to the next level by becoming certified as a Stucco Italiano Installer… (Read more about Stucco Italiano Certification)
The future of interior design is green. While your clients are increasingly demanding all-natural materials that won’t harm the environment, they don’t want to sacrifice style. During this intermediate to advanced level intensive, you will learn a wide variety of the most sought-after finishes in the field, using only the finest non-toxic lime-based plasters… (Read more about Master Venetian Plaster: Total Immersion)
Sometimes you want to skip the natural look and go for a bolder texture, finish, or glaze. You need the versatility of an acrylic material, and we use only the best: Golden Proceed. (Read more about Go Golden: The Proceed Line)
Upcoming Class Schedule
PIY (Plaster-It-Yourself): The Basics (1-Day Workshop)
February 21, 2009 (Sat)
April 25, 2009 (Sat)
Stucco Italiano Certification Course (3-Day Class)
February 23-25, 2009 (Mon-Wed)
April 27-29, 2009 (Mon-Wed)
Master Venetian Plaster: Total Immersion (3-Day Class
Thanks to Steve Manby of Authentic Plaster Effects and Alltex Stucco for submitting video of his crew doing an impressive Tadelakt installation in the Vancouver, BC area. Watch how they create a very natural distressed finish by starting with a strong vertical pattern and gradually backfilling into the pattern. Looks very realistic and organic.
Work was done on about 50 columns total on this impressive home which also features a naturally green, lime based Intonachino application on the exterior.
OK I’m a little behind on this one, but I promise to try and get this done every week.
Dutch manufacturer of natural lime and clay plaster Tierrafino has very nice gallery of Tadelakt finishes here…Gallery
(FYI - if you’re interested in using Stucco Italiano’s natural lime Tadelakt you can find more info here)
Environmental Building Strategies Blog mentions Venetian plaster as alternative LEED compliant wall finish:A rarely ever discussed subject is the alternative wall coverings that exist out there…Blog posting
Review of Michelangelo and the Pope’s ceiling on VP artisan’s blog: It reads more like a story…Blog post
Mud for Everyone is a blog that talks a lot about, not lime, but natural earthen plasters: The form of the building is almost complete and now for the artistic part! It’s time to plaster the mud brick walls to help protect them and add strength and beauty to the building…Blog post
Master Vancouver BC area plaster guy Steve Manbyhas lots of good photos of some recent exterior installations…here
That’s the roundup for this week. If you have anything you’d like to share let us know and we’ll take a look.
