What is the difference between Venetian Plaster and Italian Plaster?
True Italian plaster is made from marble and other ingredients from Italy. The process of grinding marble into a fine flour and mixing with lime to make a plaster paste was developed in the 1500’s for people living in Venice, but the term Venetian plaster has been borrowed to mean a style of plaster and is used frequently by companies who use other materials. When you compare the two types side by side there is an obvious difference in appearance. These other Venetian plasters are adequate and can be done very attractively to imitate real Italian plaster at a lesser cost. Some of the large paint manufacturers offer their version of Venetian plaster. Some are definitely easier to use and more attractive than others.
