By Douglas Weinstein
Authentic Venetian plaster offers a timeless finish to any surface. The interplay of natural light and plaster is intriguing, as if there is a hidden warmth emanating from within the material as light vibrates on the surface. The effect one experiences is of both lightness and stillness within a space. A Master Artisan can create an ultra-smooth application which has a distinctive, unique finish that speaks of both elegance and tradition. This makes plaster extremely versatile and popular as a wall treatment. Once finished, and with minimal maintenance, it will last for decades.
Authentic Italian lime plaster is not only a classic building material but is also nontoxic and emits zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It’s breathable, allowing moisture to escape from the substrate, and is a natural biocide to molds and mildew. And like most building materials, there are gradients of quality. Think of it as a good, better, best scenario – at the elite master level you have authentic lime plaster that originates high in the Dolomite Mountains of Northern Italy. As you move down the scale you come across aggregates and resins that are added to pure lime plaster, including silicates, acrylics and other resins, that serve to make the application process easier to apply to walls and ceilings, and which reduces costs both in labor and materials. Less expensive aggregated plasters have a more granular appearance, similar to basic exterior stucco finishes that are rough and unrefined. More common are the resin-lime blended plasters that cannot achieve the natural trowel polish of the Dolomitic lime plaster.
When you see the elite level of finishes that a Master Artisan creates, it literally takes your breath away. It’s why this art form has endured for millennia and why top architects and designers are drawn to its innate beauty. I recently had the opportunity to visit with Chris Lobato, the Founder of Colorado-based Aria, and one of a handful of Master limestone and Venetian plaster artisans in the United States to talk about the rich history of authentic Venetian plaster, his journey from apprentice to Master, and the design options available from Aria.
“I’m most proud of our entire team and the crew that we have built over the years. A lot of plaster operations are one man bands, but to move to the level of mastering authentic lime products and having the capacity for all of the various projects we tackle, it really takes a team of experienced artisans, great showroom people, and ownership that encourages the pursuit of excellence. That means our greatest asset is the entire team at Aria.”
Chris and Michelle Lobato
Doug: Venetian plaster has an ancient history. I know you consider that as part of the allure of the artistry.
Chris: Absolutely. Venetian plaster, a distinctive type of wall covering, boasts a rich historical legacy that traces back to ancient times, with its origins linked to Pompeii and the subsequent Roman Empire. The Romans referred to the finished product as “Marmoratum Opus,” which basically translates to “smooth marble.” While ancient Roman buildings had walls of marble or other stone, in Venice architects used stones only as necessary for load-bearing portions of the foundation, because buildings built on water have to be constructed to be as lightweight as possible. Over the years, Venetian designers explored various methods and materials that would give finished walls an enduring elegance similar to marble, and so “Venetian Plaster” came into being.
The technique consists of hand-applying layers of plaster to the wall and over time as the lime crystallizes in reaction to air (carbonization), the plaster returns to its original state of stone. When applied correctly, Authentic Lime Plaster, or what today is largely referenced as Venetian plaster, can be used to create a highly polished, rock-hard, marble-like finish. Venetian plaster is especially useful on surfaces where marble slabs could not be installed easily, and on surfaces that would be too expensive to have carved from real marble such as columns, corbels and curved walls. Authentic lime plaster can be tinted or colored using natural or synthetic colorants – by the way, we use all natural Italian colorants – and through the application of a top layer of wax sealant, the plaster can also be rendered waterproof. Think of the types of finishes we can provide as similar to paint – matte, eggshell, semi-gloss, high-gloss. Best of all, it is naturally fire resistant (flame-spread classification Class I or A, with a 0-25 FSR) and can be applied as both an interior or exterior treatment.
So if you look back through time and consider how those early artisans of Venice took an abundant, natural resource, experimented on how to season and cure it, and then perfected the art of applying it to transform and enhance the interiors and exteriors of their living and work spaces, Venetian plaster has a pretty amazing history.
Doug: Aria is known for both Venetian Plaster and Architectural Limestone. Talk about both products.
Chris: Well of course I am biased, but I think Aria’s architectural limestone is the most beautiful cast stone on the market. We have a proprietary blend of crushed limestone and two other complementary minerals that can achieve a range of finished looks, from textured and old-world to polished and modern. Our limestone meets or exceeds all ASTM standards for hardness, strength and tolerance. In fact, it is so hard that it can be carved by the traditional hammer and chisel method. To create our most intricate designs, I developed a “wet sculpting” process using our same mix that we cast with.
So we have three manufacturing processes that add to the versatility of finished products: solid casting, hollow casting, and extrusion. Our fireplace mantelpieces are made with our hollow cast and solid cast material, while the great majority of our decorative trims utilize the extrusion method that encases an EPS foam core.
Then, we have our authentic Venetian plaster whose aesthetic effects are unmatched. Products that claim to be “Venetian plaster” do not compare to the authentic lime plaster. The reason behind this is the composition of the real plaster, which is composed of seasoned slaked lime and marble powder. The particular plaster we use is very special, beginning with Dolomitic limestone rocks harvested from the rivers of Northern Italy. The traditional method requires the river stones to be cooked for 10 days at 900℃, then hydrated, slaked and seasoned for a minimum of two years. Troweled onto walls, the plaster solidifies back into stone by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the curing process over time.
Appropriate for either indoor or outdoor use, Venetian plaster is an all-natural material that can be applied in a variety of different finishes and textures, giving an array of aesthetic options. As light refracts on the plasters the colors are enriched, giving organic warmth to your walls and to your rooms.
Doug: Take us back to where your journey began in becoming a Master Artisan.
Chris: I had worked for years indoors. First as a power plant mechanic for 15 years, then building an insurance agency for 13. But feeling the inner tug to work outdoors, and after remodeling a townhouse which I thoroughly enjoyed doing, I decided to get into construction. I started by selling manufactured stone products and then decided to add stucco to my portfolio since the two naturally go together on building projects.
In searching for a stucco, I found the importer of the authentic Italian plaster in California that I wanted to work with and while they agreed I could represent their products; I wouldn’t be able to use or sell the Authentic Lime Plaster that comes from the Dolomites – the primo stuff – until completing their introductory training. For that, I had to go to California and learn the basics of application, on sample boards mind you; no real wall experience. That came quickly later. [Laughs] Most plasters here in the States, you know, the basic aggregate and resin plasters are user-friendly enough that applying the material isn’t rocket science. But when you come to unadulterated Dolomitic lime plaster, where you are applying multiple thin layers, how and when you trowel the multiple layers is akin to an artist’s delicate paintbrush strokes on canvas. Our finest plaster Spatolato, takes years of experience to master the process in order to be able to create something beautiful and artistic.
Once I passed basic training I came back to Colorado Springs, searched out custom home build sites and talking to whoever I could talk to. Within a week we had our first job. I emphasize “we” because the job was so large, that my wife, co founder and business partner Michelle, became my first student – out of necessity! After we completed the project and saw the beautiful walls for the first time, walls resulting from our diligent effort, man we just fell in love with the entire experience. I like to say, it gets into your soul. Plastering this special material is not something you do, really, it’s something you experience. So we decided to focus not only on sales, but also the actual installation of the products. That was 19 years ago. Today, we have a crew of five apprentices who are learning the art-form and my techniques. We’re very delighted that our foreman will soon become recognized as a Master Artisan in his own right.
Doug: What makes authentic lime plaster product from Italy so special?
Chris: Basically, the uniqueness is in the rock formation and chemistry. In the Dolomite Mountains of Northern Italy, there is a significant amount of magnesium carbonate – anywhere from 17 – 24 percent – in the limestone rocks. This calcium and magnesium carbonate material is very unique and the finest materials that are produced require four years of seasoning before they can be utilized. This is what sets it apart from other producers of lime plaster including resin plasters and the catch-all category commonly referred to as Venetian plaster.
Our finest plaster is so difficult and, well you can call it temperamental, that it really requires a lot of experience to apply it properly. But when it’s done right, there really isn’t any other wall treatment to compare it to. The gloss achieved exclusively just with the trowel, it looks and feels like solid marble walls. It’s just gorgeous to look at. And when you have such elegant walls in your home, it elevates the rest of the interior design furnishings.
You know, there is a lot of scientific research that talks about the health benefits of being surrounded by great art, music, architecture and design. Mentally it’s refreshing to the mind and gives one a sense of well-being and serenity. Authentic lime plaster wall and ceiling treatments fall into this category.
Doug: Can authentic Venetian Plaster be used on exteriors or are you limited to the coarser plasters that we typically see and what I would refer to as stucco?
Chris: Yes, as Italy has been doing for centuries, we use the authentic lime plaster on exteriors. While the process is different – for interiors we are applying the material over drywall, for exteriors we require a high standard base coat of quality stucco cement – the results are the same. Instead of more course plaster finish, the authentic lime plaster can be troweled out to a fine finish. Every client who we take to a job site and show them these exterior finishes are sold on the spot. People are just floored and amazed and once you realize how resilient the material is, it’s stone after all, it now becomes a matter of choosing from the variety of finishes and colorings that we can create.
The authentic lime plasters we use have the ability to elevate both exteriors and interiors to a level that no other material can match. People embrace it because it will elevate an already beautiful home and distinguish it from their neighbors. The same goes for our commercial projects, these unique finishes will distinguish your company from the competition.
Doug: I know there aren’t many Master Artisans working with authentic Venetian plaster in North America. How far afield does Aria travel for projects?
Chris: Over the years we’ve worked across the country. While we’re based in Denver and work extensively throughout Colorado, my team has been fortunate to work on special projects wherever that takes us. We are so thankful that our reputation brings in the most sales leads for us. Whether it’s a client with multiple homes or whose friends get to experience the unique look and ambiance of a treated space, referrals are our number one source for continued business. And I think that speaks volumes because living in a space with these magical materials is really alluring.
I’d say that interior designers are our number two referral source, those looking to add something unique to their designs and have experience designing wall treatments. We really love working with them and kicking around ideas. An additional beauty of our products is that we can color match, texture match, anything you can express to us, we like to believe we can deliver a finished product. So as our reputation has grown, our ‘territory’ has also expanded.
Doug: Final thoughts?
Chris: Doug, I’m most proud of our entire team and the crew that we have built over the years. A lot of plaster operations are one man bands, but to move to the level of mastering authentic lime products and having the capacity for all of the various projects we tackle, it really takes a team of experienced artisans, great showroom people, and ownership that encourages the pursuit of excellence. That means our greatest asset is the entire team at Aria.
