This plaster finish has its roots in ancient Rome, where Roman aristocrats would plaster their walls with colorful finishes and textures. The name that is most commonly used today, Venetian plaster, was derived from the use of this plaster finish in the palaces of Venice in the 15th century. In the days of the guilds during the Renaissance Era, the formulas for these materials were well-kept secrets that were passed down from generation to generation and from artisan to artisan. Today in Italy, these finishes are more commonly called decorative stuccos, and can be used for interior and exterior applications.
The first and one of the most important steps that is often overlooked in creating a stunning Venetian plaster finish is the substrate preparation. The substrate in most cases will be drywall, and must be free of all imperfections. If the substrate is not free of these imperfections, they will show through the finish and could ruin the look. Make sure drywall joints are not visible and feather out any drywall joints that are visible with joint compound. Be careful when sanding these areas because scratches can bleed through the finish. The use of fine sandpaper on the final stages of sanding is recommended. Visible nails or screws need to be below the finish surface, and any wall scars need to be repaired and sanded.