Venetian plaster and limewash are the two finishes Springfield homeowners ask us about most, and they are often confused with each other. Both are lime based. Both are hand applied. Beyond that, they are very different products that suit very different rooms.
The look
Venetian plaster is burnished to a smooth, polished surface with the depth of marble. It is formal and luminous. Limewash is brushed on and leaves a soft, chalky, cloud-like surface with visible movement. It is relaxed and organic.
A simple rule: if you want the wall to glow, choose Venetian. If you want it to breathe, choose limewash.
Cost in the Springfield area
- Limewash: roughly $17 to $25 per square foot installed
- Venetian plaster: roughly $30 to $55 per square foot installed
The difference is labor. Venetian plaster needs three to five troweled coats and a burnish; limewash needs two to three brushed coats.
Durability and maintenance
Sealed Venetian plaster is hard, wipeable and well suited to high-traffic areas such as entries and dining rooms. Limewash is softer and best in bedrooms, living rooms and hallways; it can be dusted and gently wiped, and a mineral top coat can be added where it will take more wear.
Which rooms
We recommend Venetian plaster for fireplaces, entry halls, dining rooms and powder rooms. We recommend limewash for bedrooms, nurseries, living rooms and whole-home palettes. Many Springfield homes use both: a Venetian fireplace in a limewashed great room is one of our most common combinations.
Can you do both over drywall?
Yes. Both finishes go over new or painted drywall with the correct primer, and preparation is included in every quote.
Still undecided? Request a consultation and we will bring sample boards of both to your home in Springfield, Branson, Ozark or Nixa.