Venetian Plastering Training for Southampton

People often ask whether they can learn Venetian plastering near Southampton. The honest answer is that the Zavoré Academy in Birmingham teaches the courses, so Venetian plastering training for Southampton means a short stay away from home, followed by a skill you can use on your own doorstep.

It is aimed at decorators and plasterers across Southampton and its neighbouring towns, builders and developers who handle finishes, designers, and people wanting a more creative trade. You do not have to know anything about decorative plaster to start.

Where Venetian plaster fits in Southampton

Southampton is a port city, and its mix of buildings gives a decorative plasterer plenty of choice. Different parts of the city call for different finishes.

The Old Town still has fragments of its medieval walls, and a good deal of the city centre was rebuilt after wartime bombing, so post war buildings sit beside older ones. Away from the middle there are Victorian and Edwardian terraces and villas in areas such as Portswood and Bevois Valley, and many family houses have been split into flats. Older solid walls suit breathable lime based finishes, while the flat plastered walls of modern buildings suit polished plaster.

Along the waterfront, areas such as Ocean Village have blocks of apartments where owners and landlords like a refined feel, and the city's hotels, restaurants and bars also need interiors with presence. The nearby New Forest and surrounding villages have country houses and cottages that attract a different kind of client again, one who cares about authentic materials.

If you already decorate or plaster in the Southampton area, Venetian plaster lets you reach customers who want more than a standard finish and are happy to pay for skilled hand work.

Which course suits you

The Beginner Course is for newcomers, the Advanced Course builds on it, and 1 to 1 Training can be matched to any ability. Sessions start at 10am and end at 5pm.

• The Beginner Course takes 3 days and costs £750 per person. No experience is needed.
• The Advanced Course takes 4 days and costs £1,200 per person. You should have done the Beginner Course or come from site.
• 1 to 1 Training takes 3 days and costs £1,500. It follows whatever you want to learn.

At the Beginner Course you learn about the materials and how they behave, then prepare surfaces, apply base coats and try a wide range of textures. The Advanced Course covers deeper theory, artificial rock, stencil work and polishing to a high gloss. With 1 to 1 Training you can choose the finish and the pace.

Not sure what to ask for? Our guide to choosing a Venetian plastering course can help. See the training page for dates or to register interest.

Getting to the Academy

Travel to Birmingham by train or by car. It is central in England, and a three or four day course needs a bed for the nights, so book a place to stay early.

A partner rate is held at a hotel close to the Academy, and you get it by quoting Zavoré. If you would like a lift, an airport or station pickup can be arranged with your booking, priced according to where you arrive. Courses are small, with a maximum of six students.

Back home in Southampton

You leave with finished panels for your portfolio and a Zavoré certificate. You can buy Zavoré materials at trade pricing, and the private course group offers a helpline for life. Advanced students are helped to find, price and win a first paid decorative job.

Zavoré installs across the UK with its own applicators, so you can see the standard of work for yourself on the page for Venetian plastering in Southampton. For supplies, the shop offers tracked UK delivery. If you want to know how others make the move into the trade, read starting a decorative plastering career.

Questions about Venetian plastering training for Southampton

Where is the nearest Venetian plastering course to Southampton?

The Zavoré Academy in Birmingham. The courses are taught there only, so students from Southampton travel to Birmingham for three or four days.

Can a homeowner take the course just for their own house?

Yes. The Beginner Course is open to anyone, with no experience needed, and it suits anyone who wants to understand how a wall is built up and finished.

Do I need my own tools?

No. All materials and tools are provided, including authentic Italian plasters, primers, waxes, trowels and panels.

Can I book a seat for a colleague too?

Yes. Courses take up to six students, so you can book more than one place. Call 07592 929191 to arrange it.

Will the course teach me to price jobs?

Advanced students get help to find, price and win a first paid decorative job. The helpline and private group are open to all students.

To book, call 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk. Pay half to hold a bench and the rest on the day, or book online and pay in full. Dates are shown on the training page.