I don't have a lot of money. I love the look of Venetian plaster. Are there any faux techniques that will give me that look?

Janice Mattheson

Dear Janice,

I love the look and feel of Venetian plaster myself, so I once took advantage of an opportunity to learn how to create this old-world European look at home.

It was much easier than I thought it would be and also a lot of fun. We worked with one of Behr's painting instructors to learn their technique, but you can easily achieve this polished, high-end wall treatment yourself without having to spend a lot of money hiring a faux painter. Check out www.behr.com or your local Home Depot for a step-by-step brochure and to see the Venetian plaster colors they offer. You can chose from 24 colors or have the plaster tinted to whatever color you desire. A gallon of Behr Venetian Plaster is about $30, and the top coat is about $9 a gallon.

Before you begin painting, I highly recommend practicing this technique on a 24" x 24" piece of wallboard or other similar wall material. It's also a good idea to set aside a weekend to complete this task -- it is a time-consuming four-step process, but you will achieve a beautiful wall treatment that will last for decades.

  • Step 1: Apply a thin coat of the tinted Venetian plaster with a trowel and allow it to dry for about four hours.
  • Step 2: Apply another thin coat of the product with a trowel. This will fill any voids and ensure that the wall surface is completely covered. Allow this coat to dry for 24 hours.
  • Step 3: The third step is called burnishing -- simply rub the surface in a circular motion with sandpaper. Then, for a more polished look, use the flat side of a steel trowel to rub the finish.
  • Step 4: Last, you'll need to apply a top coat for durability and protection.

Dutch Boy Dimensions also offers a great line called Old World Plaster that comes in 30 colors. The application steps are quite similar; however with you apply Dutch Boy's product with a standard roller. A gallon of Dutch Boy's Old World Plaster is about $31; call (800) 828-5669 to find a retailer near you and to pick up a step-by-step instruction guide.

Good luck with your project.

Jennifer