Venetian Plastering
Edinburgh
Edinburgh's established decorating specialists offering Venetian plastering for homes, commercial spaces and heritage interiors.
Polished plaster, marble-effect finishes and bespoke decorative surfaces — applied by craftsmen, not contractors.
We've been delivering quality finishes
across Edinburgh since 1959. Venetian plastering is a natural extension of that expertise.
What is
Venetian Plastering?
Venetian plastering is a traditional Italian technique using natural lime-based plasters to create finishes with depth, movement and a distinctive tactile quality. Applied in fine layers and worked by hand, the plaster is burnished to produce surfaces ranging from soft, understated texture to a high-gloss finish that echoes natural marble.
The technique has been used in European interiors for centuries. Its growing popularity in Edinburgh reflects a shift toward natural, enduring finishes that age well and bring genuine character to a space — qualities that paint and wallpaper cannot replicate.
Venetian Plastering for Edinburgh Homes and Businesses
Edinburgh's architecture provides the ideal backdrop for Venetian plaster. Period properties in the New Town and Stockbridge have the proportions, ceiling heights and architectural detail that these finishes complement perfectly.
Contemporary apartments in Leith and the city centre benefit from the texture and warmth that polished plaster brings to clean, modern spaces.
We deliver Venetian plastering across Edinburgh's residential and commercial properties, including:
- Georgian and Victorian townhouses in the New Town, Morningside and Marchmont
- Contemporary apartments and conversions in Leith, Fountainbridge and the Quartermile
- Commercial spaces, hotels and restaurants in the city centre
- Residential properties across Stockbridge, Bruntsfield, Murrayfield and Colinton
Each project is developed specifically for the space, taking into account light, scale and architectural detail to ensure a result that feels balanced and enduring.
Our Venetian Plastering Services in Edinburgh
- Traditional Venetian plaster — Marmorino and Stucco Veneziano finishes with characteristic depth and movement
- Polished plaster walls and ceilings — smooth, reflective surfaces from soft sheen to high gloss
- Feature walls and focal points — statement surfaces for living rooms, hallways, reception areas and stairwells
- Commercial and hospitality finishes — Venetian plastering for hotels, restaurants, offices and retail spaces
- Colour consultation and finish selection — working with you to specify the right finish for the space
We carry the accreditations — including CHAS and SafeContractor — required for commercial sites, giving Edinburgh businesses access to specialist finishes with full health and safety compliance.
The Venetian Plastering Process
Venetian plaster is not applied like paint. It is built in layers, each one contributing to the final depth and character of the surface. Our process follows the same sequence for every project:
- Consultation and surface assessment — understanding the space, the intended finish and the condition of the existing substrate
- Surface preparation — the foundation for any successful plaster finish; old surfaces are stabilised, new surfaces are primed appropriately
- Base coat application — establishing the ground for the finish coats
- First finish coat — the first layer of Venetian plaster, applied by hand and worked to the required texture
- Second finish coat — building depth, refining the surface and developing the characteristic movement
- Burnishing — the defining technique; compressing and polishing the surface to achieve the final sheen|
- Sealing and protection — a protective sealant applied to ensure durability and longevity
This process cannot be rushed. The quality of the finish depends on patience, correct preparation and experienced hands.
Venetian Plastering for Commercial Spaces
Edinburgh's hospitality and commercial sector increasingly specifies Venetian plaster for hotels, restaurants, offices and reception areas.
The finish is durable, distinctive and creates an immediate impression of quality.
Borthwick Decorators hold CHAS and SafeContractor accreditations, which means we can access commercial sites where sole traders and unaccredited contractors cannot.
For Edinburgh businesses requiring specialist decorative finishes with full compliance, we are an established and credible option.
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 in Edinburgh?
Venetian plastering costs more per square metre than standard paint or wallpaper — 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.
How is Venetian plastering different from standard plaster?
Standard plaster provides a flat, uniform surface designed to be painted or papered. Venetian plaster is a decorative finish in its own right — applied in fine layers, worked by hand and burnished to create depth, movement and a distinctive sheen.
The material is lime-based rather than gypsum-based, and the application requires specialist skill rather than standard plastering technique.
Can Venetian plaster 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.
We always assess the existing substrate as part of the project discussion and advise on any preparation required before application can begin.
How long does Venetian plastering last?
Properly applied Venetian plaster is exceptionally durable. It is a solid, mineral-based finish — not a coating that peels or chips.
With appropriate care, a Venetian plaster finish can last decades. The material actually strengthens over time as it continues to carbonate.
Do you offer Venetian plastering for commercial properties in Edinburgh?
Yes. Commercial Venetian plastering is a growing part of our work.
Our CHAS and SafeContractor accreditations mean we can operate on commercial sites with full health and safety compliance — essential for hotels, restaurants, offices and retail environments in Edinburgh.
Still have a question?
Why Borthwick Decorators for Venetian Plastering?
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 over six decades of experience with traditional materials and lime-based finishes. Our knowledge has been built over generations, not trends.
Craftspeople, Not Contractors
Our Venetian plastering is delivered by experienced craftsmen with a deep understanding of lime-based materials and decorative technique. We do not subcontract specialist work — it is carried out by our own team.
Residential and Commercial
From private homes to hotels, restaurants and office refurbishments, we deliver Venetian plastering across Edinburgh's residential and commercial property markets. Our CHAS and SafeContractor accreditations open doors that many specialist plasterers cannot access.
Trusted and Accredited
190+ verified reviews with a 4.9 star rating. Accredited by CHAS, SMAS, SafeContractor, the Painting & Decorating Association and the Scottish Decorators Federation. Fully insured for residential and commercial work.
Areas Covered from Edinburgh
Our Venetian plastering services are delivered across Edinburgh and the surrounding regions:
- Edinburgh — New Town, Morningside, Marchmont, Stockbridge, Bruntsfield, Murrayfield, Colinton, Leith, Portobello and all Edinburgh neighbourhoods
- East Lothian — North Berwick, Haddington, Musselburgh, Gullane
- Midlothian and West Lothian — Dalkeith, Penicuik, Livingston, Linlithgow
- Fife — Dunfermline, St Andrews, Kirkcaldy
- Falkirk and Stirling
For projects further afield, including Glasgow and London, please contact our team to discuss.
Discuss a Venetian Plastering Project
If you are considering Venetian plastering for your Edinburgh 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
London, WC2N 4JS
Glasgow, G3 7QL
Crieff, PH7 4AX