Venetian Plastering
& Specialist Decorative Finishes
Alongside our traditional painting and decorating services, Borthwick Decorators deliver specialist decorative finishes for heritage properties, luxury homes and contemporary interiors across the UK.
Our work spans Venetian plastering, polished plaster, microcement, limewash, gilding and specialist graining — each applied by experienced craftsmen using traditional materials and refined technique.
The Craft of Specialist Decorative Finishes
Specialist decorative finishes require a fundamentally different approach to standard decorating. Materials, preparation and application are all critical — and the final result depends as much on experience and judgement as on technique.
Many of these finishes are applied by hand in multiple layers, whether building the characteristic depth of Venetian plaster, achieving the seamless surface of polished plaster or microcement, or laying gold leaf for gilding work.
Unlike paint or wallpaper, these finishes become part of the architecture itself, creating surfaces defined by permanence, texture and craft.
Our work focuses on achieving finishes that feel considered and appropriate to the space — not decorative for effect alone.
Venetian Plastering
Venetian plastering is a traditional craft using natural lime-based plasters to create finishes with depth, movement and a distinctive tactile quality.
Applied in fine layers and worked by hand, Venetian plaster can be tailored to suit a wide range of interiors — from softly textured, understated surfaces to highly polished finishes that echo natural stone or marble.
These finishes are particularly well suited to:
- Feature walls and statement spaces
- Stairwells, halls and reception areas
- Period interiors requiring breathable, lime-based materials
- Contemporary interiors seeking texture and refinement
Each finish is developed specifically for the space, taking into account light, scale and architectural detail, ensuring a result that feels balanced and enduring.
Polished Plaster
Polished plaster encompasses a range of lime-based finishes that are burnished or polished to achieve a smooth, reflective surface. The result can range from a soft, matte sheen to a high-gloss finish that convincingly replicates marble or natural stone.
These finishes are particularly valued in contemporary interiors where a clean, seamless surface is desired — bathrooms, spa environments, open-plan living spaces and hospitality settings all benefit from the material's resistance to moisture and its refined appearance.
As with Venetian plastering, polished plaster is applied in multiple layers and worked by hand, allowing the finish to develop the depth and variation that sets it apart from
synthetic alternatives.
Microcement
Microcement is a thin, seamless coating applied over existing surfaces to create a smooth, contemporary finish without the need for major structural work. Its versatility makes it one of the most widely specified specialist finishes in modern interior design.
Applied in fine layers and sealed on completion, microcement can be used on floors, walls, worktops and wet areas including showers and bathrooms. The finish is durable, low
maintenance and available in a wide range of colours and textures — from rough, industrial surfaces to fine, polished effects.
Borthwick's craftsmen apply microcement with the same preparation discipline and attention to detail that defines all our specialist decorative work.
Limewash
Limewash is one of the oldest decorative finishes in existence — a mineral-based wash applied in diluted layers to create a soft, mottled surface with characteristic depth and variation. The finish breathes naturally, making it especially well suited to period and heritage properties where lime-compatible materials are essential.
Modern limewash is also widely used in contemporary interiors seeking texture and an organic, understated quality that paint alone cannot achieve. Each coat is translucent,
allowing previous layers to show through and building the characteristic soft movement that defines the finish.
Borthwick's experience with traditional lime-based materials means limewash is always applied with the correct preparation and dilution — the details that determine whether
the finish performs and ages as it should.
Gilding
Gilding is the application of fine metal leaf — gold, silver, copper or dutch metal — to architectural features, furniture, mirrors, mouldings and decorative objects. The result is a genuine reflective brilliance that paint effects cannot replicate.
We work with both oil gilding and water gilding techniques, selecting the appropriate method to suit the substrate, setting and intended finish. Oil gilding is well suited to architectural work and exterior applications; water gilding, the more refined of the two, is reserved for high-quality interior work where burnishing to a deep, warm lustre is required.
Gilding is delivered as part of comprehensive interior schemes or as a standalone commission for specific features within a space.
Graining
Graining — or wood graining — is the art of using paint and specialist tools to reproduce the appearance of timber on surfaces that are not wood. Applied in fine layers of tinted glaze and worked with combs, rockers and brushes, a skilled grainer can convincingly replicate mahogany, walnut, oak, satinwood and other timbers.
The technique has a long history in British heritage interiors, where it was widely used to elevate joinery, doors, skirtings and panelling beyond what the underlying timber warranted. Today it remains relevant both in conservation work — matching existing grained surfaces — and in contemporary interiors where the warmth of timber is desired without the cost or weight of solid wood.
Borthwick's craftsmen have the training and patience that graining demands. It is not a finish that can be rushed, and the quality of the result is immediately apparent to anyone familiar with the craft.
Specialist Decorative Effects
Depending on the scope and character of a project, our specialist decorative work may also include:
- Stucco and marmorino plaster finishes
- Aged, antiqued and distressed surface effects
- Specialist paint finishes: rag rolling, stippling, colour washing
- Bespoke decorative panelling and surface detailing
- Conservation and restoration of existing specialist finishes
Rather than offering predefined packages, we work closely with clients, architects and designers to specify and deliver finishes appropriate to the character, materials and intent of the space.
Common Questions About Specialist Finishes
If you're considering a specialist decorative finish for the first time, the following questions are ones we hear regularly. For project specific advice, we're always happy to discuss your requirements directly.
How much does Venetian plastering cost?
As a guide, expect to pay more per square metre than for standard paint — the cost reflects multiple coats, hand application and the time required to develop the finish correctly.
We provide project-specific quotes after understanding the space, the finish required and any preparatory work needed. There is no standard rate that applies across all projects, and we would be cautious of any contractor quoting without a site assessment.
What is the difference between Venetian plaster and polished plaster?
These terms are often used interchangeably but refer to slightly different traditions. Venetian plaster (stucco veneziano) is a specific Italian tradition using fine lime-based plasters applied and burnished to create characteristic depth and movement.
Polished plaster is a broader term covering several burnished lime finishes, including marmorino and other variants. Both achieve smooth, reflective surfaces — the distinction matters most when specifying a heritage-accurate finish for a period interior.
How long does microcement take to apply?
A microcement installation typically requires several visits across a few days to allow each layer to cure correctly before the next is applied.
Rushing the process compromises the finish and the durability of the surface — adequate cure time between coats is not optional. We will always advise on realistic timescales during the quoting stage.
Can specialist finishes be applied to existing walls?
In many cases, yes — but preparation is critical. The existing surface must be sound, clean and appropriate for the chosen finish.
Some finishes, such as microcement, are specifically designed to go over existing substrates.
Others, particularly traditional lime-based finishes, may require more extensive preparation or a base coat to achieve the right result.
We always assess the existing surface as part of the project discussion.
Still have a question?
Why Choose Borthwick for Specialist Finishes
Established in
1959, Borthwick Decorators have built a reputation for quality, discretion and technical expertise across both traditional and specialist finishes.
Our approach to specialist decorative work is defined by:
Established Since 1959
Family run since 1959, Borthwick Decorators bring decades of experience in traditional materials, specialist finishes and heritage-led craftsmanship. Our knowledge has been built over generations, not trends.
Specialist Decorative Expertise
Our specialist finishes are delivered by experienced craftsmen with a deep understanding of Venetian plastering, lime-based materials and bespoke decorative techniques.
Quality Without Compromise
Specialist finishes demand patience, precision and consistency. Every project is carefully prepared and executed to ensure a finish that is durable, balanced and appropriate to the space.
Trusted & Discreet
We are accustomed to working within high-value and sensitive environments, delivering specialist decorative work with professionalism, discretion and respect for the property.
Where We Deliver Specialist Finishes
Our specialist decorative finishes are delivered across Scotland and England for projects where craftsmanship and finish quality are paramount.
In Scotland, we serve clients across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Fife, Stirling, Dundee and the surrounding areas.
Our established presence in these regions means projects can be planned and managed efficiently, without compromising on the preparation time these finishes require.
In London, we work with residential clients, interior designers and architects across Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair, Belgravia and wider Greater London.
Venetian plastering and polished plaster in London represent a significant part of our specialist work, and our team is accustomed to the requirements of high-value properties and the expectations of design-led clients in these areas.
This work is undertaken selectively, ensuring each project receives the time, expertise and undivided attention required to achieve the right result.
Discuss a Specialist Finish Project
If you are considering Venetian plastering or a specialist decorative finish for your property,
we welcome the opportunity to discuss your project.
Our team can advise on suitable finishes, materials and approaches to achieve a result that is both considered and enduring.
Fife
Stirling
Dundee
BORTHWICK DECORATORS LTD
Established 1959 — Specialist Painters & Decorators
Edinburgh, EH2 3ES
Glasgow, G3 7QL
London, WC2N 4JS
Crieff, PH7 4AX