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Where Artistry Begins
The finish on a wall changes a room more than almost anything else. Paint, plaster, panelling, tiles and wallpaper all do different jobs, and each suits some rooms better than others. This guide walks through the main types of interior wall finishes in UK homes, what each is good at, and where decorative plaster fits in.
The standard British wall: a skim of modern plaster, painted. Cheap, quick and easy to change. It shows marks and needs repainting over time.
A breathable mineral paint with a soft, chalky, cloudy finish. It suits old solid walls and gives more depth than emulsion. See limewash and limewash vs paint.
Lime and marble laid in thin coats and burnished. Ranges from matt stone to a deep shine, and can be repaired rather than redone. See Venetian plaster and Italian plaster walls.
Plaster that keeps visible texture, such as travertine, stone or concrete effects. Hides small knocks well. See textured plaster.
A thin, seamless cement based coating for walls, floors and showers, with no grout lines. See what is microcement.
Panel mouldings, dado and picture rails add architecture and protect walls in busy areas. See wall panelling ideas.
The most water resistant choice for splashbacks and showers. See mosaic bathroom tiles.
Pattern and colour without painting skills. See wall mural ideas and Venetian plaster vs wallpaper.
Gold leaf and metallic plasters for statement walls and details. See gilding and metallic plaster walls.
| Room | Good choices |
|---|---|
| Hallway and stairs | Marmorino, textured plaster, panelling |
| Living room | Venetian plaster feature wall, limewash, panelling |
| Bedroom | Limewash, Marmorino, mural wallpaper |
| Kitchen | Tiles or mosaic splashback, waxed plaster elsewhere |
| Bathroom | Microcement, tiles, waxed polished plaster away from water |
| Restaurant or shop | Marmorino, metallic plaster, panelling |
For busy areas, tiles, panelling, textured plaster and waxed Marmorino stand up better than flat painted plaster.
Paint is a thin coloured film. Decorative plaster is a layer of real mineral material laid by trowel, with texture and depth. See what is decorative plaster.
Matt plasters, limewash, microcement and textured finishes are common choices in modern rooms. See modern Venetian plaster.
A guide to how many coats limewash and limewash paint usually need, and how long to wait before each coat and before judging the colour.
Clay PlasterWhat clay plaster is, why its soft matt finish suits bedrooms and nurseries in Stockport and Trafford homes, and where it should not be u...
PortfolioPractical steps for building a decorative plaster portfolio from nothing, starting with the boards you make on a Zavoré Academy course.
BirminghamHow gilding with real metal leaf can be used in the homes, workshops and converted buildings of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, and what ...
KingstonPolished plaster is hard wearing, wipes clean and covers tall stair walls without joins. Here is how a hallway and stair job is planned i...
Feature WallsHow to plan a limewash paint feature wall in a modern house or flat, from picking the wall to colour and preparation.
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Venetian plaster, limewash, microcement, tadelakt, metallics, sculptural plaster and gold leaf, supplied and installed by our own team, with Venetian plaster taught at our Birmingham studio.
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