Residential · Specialist and heritage finishes
Venetian plaster and heritage finishes in London
Polished plaster, limewash and traditional decoration for period, listed and design-led homes, applied by craftspeople who know old buildings.
Specialist and heritage finishes
Some walls deserve more than paint: a polished plaster that catches the light, or a limewash that lets a Georgian house breathe
We work at both ends of this craft. For design-led interiors we apply Venetian plaster in London homes, from one statement wall to entire rooms, often matched to an interior designer’s sample. For period and listed homes we use the traditional materials the house was built with, so new decoration protects the fabric of the building rather than trapping damp in it. Every finish starts with a sample board, so you see the colour and texture before we begin.
- Venetian plaster
- Polished finishes that catch the light
- Heritage materials
- Limewash and breathable paints
- Sample boards first
- See the finish before we start
- Designer schemes
- Matched to your designer’s samples
Venetian and polished plaster
Venetian plaster and polished plaster in London
Venetian plastering builds up thin layers of lime or marble plaster with a steel trowel, then burnishes them to anything from a soft, stone-like matt to a deep, mirror-like polish. The result has a depth that paint cannot match, and it is naturally breathable, mould-resistant and long-lasting. Our polished plaster in London is used on feature walls, hallways, bathrooms, fireplaces and curved surfaces.
- Polished lime plaster
Classic Venetian plaster, burnished to a soft or high sheen and sealed with wax.
- Marble-effect finishes
Veined and clouded finishes that look like cut stone, without the weight or cost.
- Marmorino and tadelakt
Matt, stone-like Marmorino, and water-resistant tadelakt for bathrooms and showers.
- Any colour
Tinted to your sample or a designer’s palette, from warm whites to deep, rich tones.
Heritage work
Heritage painting and decorating for period and listed homes
Original features are what make an old house valuable. We repair and redecorate them with traditional materials, and work with our lime plasterers where the plaster itself needs restoring.
Panelling
Georgian and Victorian panelling stripped where needed, repaired and repainted.
Cornicing and ceiling roses
Clogged detail cleaned out and redecorated in soft distemper so it stays crisp.
Fireplaces
Timber and plaster surrounds restored, painted or grained to suit the room.
Sash windows
Sashes eased, re-puttied and finished in linseed oil paint that moves with the timber.
Listed buildings
Method statements for conservation officers and like-for-like materials throughout.
Staircases and joinery
Staircase painting, oiled oak and handrails
A staircase is the first thing you see in most houses, and the hardest-working joinery in it. We oil and wax oak treads and handrails, paint spindles and strings in hard-wearing eggshell, and paint crisp borders either side of a stair runner, as on our new-build townhouses in Richmond. Spindles can also be spray finished for a perfectly smooth result.
Feature walls and limewash
Feature wall painting, limewash and colour washing
Decorative finishes with movement and texture, for a single wall or a whole room.
Limewash
Traditional limewash paint in London homes inside and out: soft, chalky and breathable.
Colour washing
Layered, translucent glazes that give walls a cloudy, sun-faded depth.
Decorative paint effects
Dragging, stippling, graining and marbling, done by hand in the traditional way.
Feature wall painting
Colour blocking, arches and murals that turn one wall into the focus of a room.
Reviews
What our clients say about our specialist finishes
“I trust them with my most demanding clients. Colours are matched exactly, the paint finishes are flawless and they leave every house cleaner than they found it.”
Areas we cover
Venetian plaster and heritage decorating across London and Surrey
FAQ
Specialist and heritage finish questions
Do I need permission to redecorate a listed building?
Like-for-like redecoration usually does not need listed building consent, but changing colours on the outside, removing historic finishes or replacing original features can. We check the listing with you, write a method statement for your conservation officer if one is needed, and use materials that match the original, such as limewash, distemper and linseed oil paint.
How much does Venetian plaster cost in London?
As a guide, Venetian and polished plaster costs from £90 to £180 per square metre, depending on the finish, the number of coats and how much the walls need preparing. A feature wall is often £1,500 to £3,500. Limewashing a room is usually £450 to £900. We price every job after seeing the walls and agreeing a sample.
How durable is Venetian plaster?
Very. Lime-based Venetian plaster cures to a hard, stone-like surface that lasts for decades, does not fade and resists mould because lime is naturally alkaline. Once sealed with wax it copes well with everyday knocks, and small marks can often be polished out or repaired invisibly.
How do I look after polished plaster and limewash?
Dust polished plaster with a soft, dry cloth and wipe marks with a damp cloth and mild soap; a fresh coat of wax every few years restores the sheen. Limewash is best dusted rather than scrubbed, and touched in with the same limewash when needed. We leave written aftercare notes with every job.
Why can’t I use normal emulsion on old lime plaster?
Most modern emulsions form a plastic-like skin that stops lime plaster and soft brick drying out. Moisture builds up behind it, the paint blisters and the plaster can crumble. Breathable finishes such as limewash, clay, mineral and distemper paints let the wall dry naturally, which is why we use them on period homes.
Can you match a historic paint colour?
Yes. We take a small paint scrape to see the layers underneath, then match the original colour by eye or with a colour scan, or choose an appropriate shade from a heritage range such as Farrow & Ball or Little Greene.
Free quotes
Discuss your finish with us
Tell us about the room or the house. We will visit, look at the walls and the original features, and make a sample board before we price the work.
- 07852 371651
- Monday–Saturday: 07:00–18:00