6 Tips For Painting Plaster Wall Finishes
The impact of a well-executed faux finish becomes immediately apparent in interiors inspired by 17th- and 18th-century design. Many of the rooms shown here feature a Venetian plaster finish—an effect created using layered paint and, in some cases, plaster. Historically, paints were far more translucent than what we use today, allowing light to pass through layers of pigment and creating remarkable depth and movement on the walls. These early finishes were likely achieved with mixtures of linseed oil and natural pigments, producing surfaces that feel rich and alive—qualities rarely replicated by modern, high-coverage paints.
Today, walls are often completed in two coats and considered finished, but Venetian plaster techniques offer an opportunity to restore that sense of depth and craftsmanship. A variety of Venetian plaster products are now available at most hardware stores and can be custom-tinted. Some mimic polished marble with a subtle sheen, while others resemble the softly textured plastered walls found throughout historic European homes.
The Venetian plaster finish featured in Better Homes and Gardens is an excellent example of an advanced application. Lighter tones near the top of the wall blend more naturally, while deeper hues toward the bottom anchor the space. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice the use of a sponge to introduce texture, adding visual interest without overwhelming the surface.
Working with lighter color palettes also helps open up a room and creates an interior that remains comfortable and livable over time. Consider undertones of peach, soft orange, or warm beige for a timeless effect. Always practice this technique before committing to your walls—especially with textured finishes—since correcting mistakes often requires sanding back to bare plaster. I’ve learned firsthand that this process can be messy and extremely time-consuming.
How to Achieve a Venetian Plaster Finish
This finish is created by troweling on thin layers of paint using at least three related hues. Paint alone will not produce the desired effect; a pliable texturizing medium must be mixed into the paint. Many hardware stores sell Venetian plaster compounds that can be tinted to your chosen colors and mixed directly into your paint.
For the most authentic result, use:
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One pale hue
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One medium hue
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One darker hue
All within the same color family.
Apply the paint randomly, avoiding the urge to wipe excess paint from the trowel—this irregularity is what creates depth. Use different trowels to vary the size and flow of the markings, preventing repetition and patterning.
The most important step in any faux finish is the final glaze. A lightly tinted glaze applied over the entire wall unifies the colors and adds softness and depth. This step is often overlooked, but it acts almost like a gentle blur, minimizing imperfections and blending transitions seamlessly. Glaze is semi-transparent by nature, which allows the layers beneath to show through beautifully.
I recommend purchasing glaze that is not pre-tinted. This gives you greater flexibility for future projects, rather than being locked into a single color. A simple rule of thumb is to mix equal parts paint and glaze, leaning slightly heavier on the glaze for softer results. For the final coat, I often roll the glaze onto the wall evenly.
Experiment to find what works best for your space and technique. I’ve had excellent results using Ralph Lauren glaze products in the past. That final glaze coat truly transforms the surface. When decorating in the spirit of the 17th and 18th centuries, Venetian plaster is one of the fastest and most effective ways to bring authenticity, depth, and cohesion to a room.
