What Makes Our Plaster Finishes Different
Great Plaster Finishes Start Beneath the Surface
In decorative plaster and specialty finishes, what you see on the surface is only part of the story. The beauty, durability, and depth of a finish are determined long before the final coat is applied. At Contemporary House, our approach often involves more steps than typical modern applications, but these extra steps are intentional. They are rooted in traditional craftsmanship and a deep respect for the materials we use.
It Starts with the Base
One of the most overlooked stages in decorative plaster work is the base coat. The base is the foundation that everything else relies on. It creates a surface that allows subsequent coats to bond properly, cure evenly, and develop the depth and texture that make lime and mineral-based finishes so unique.
Preparation goes far beyond simply applying a primer. A critical part of this stage is creating sharp, straight, and square corners using corner trowels, and once the plaster has cured, carefully sanding and shaping the walls and corners. Walls are rarely perfectly straight coming out of drywall finishing. Subtle irregularities, uneven transitions, or soft corners can become much more visible once decorative plaster is applied. That’s why we spend time refining the surface—carefully sanding, shaping, and addressing imperfections—so that planes feel clean, corners are sharp, and transitions are seamless before finishing begins.
Another key element is reinforcement. Our base coats are strengthened with fibre shards, reinforcement mesh and other reinforcing materials, These reinforcements help control movement, reduce the risk of cracking, and improve the overall durability of the finished surface. While these steps add time, they significantly improve the longevity and reliability of the final finish.
In many modern applications, this stage is rushed a single primer is applied, and finish coats follow shortly after. While faster, this approach often sacrifices stability, clarity, and refinement.
Building Depth with Multiple Coats
We also differ in the number of finish coats applied. Many of our projects include three to four Lime finish coats rather than one or two. Each layer has a purpose:
First coat: establishes the body of the finish.
Second and third coat: develops movement and texture.
Forth coat: refines the surface and adds visual depth.
This layered approach creates subtle variations, natural light reflection, and a richness that cannot be achieved in a single pass. It’s what makes handcrafted plaster finishes truly distinctive.
The Importance of Sealing
The final stage is sealing. A sealer protects the finish, stabilizes the surface, and enhances its look and feel. The right sealer can enrich color, enhance depth, and provide the appropriate level of protection depending on the space. In kitchens, bathrooms, or high-traffic areas, proper sealing is essential to ensure the finish remains both beautiful and durable over time.
Craftsmanship Over Speed
This approach requires patience, experience, and a willingness to slow down. Decorative plaster is not meant to look manufactured; its beauty lies in subtle variation, natural texture, and the sense that it has been shaped by hand rather than by a machine. By focusing on preparation, reinforcement, layered application, and careful finishing, we create surfaces that look exceptional from day one and continue to develop character over time.
A Return to Traditional Principles
Many of the techniques we use are inspired by centuries-old plaster traditions. These methods have endured because they work—they create finishes that age gracefully, remain breathable, and offer a depth that modern shortcuts often cannot replicate.
At Contemporary House, our goal is not just to apply a finish—but to build it properly, from the first coat to the last. In plaster work, what lies beneath the surface is just as important as what you see.