When it comes to surfacing a fireplace, the finish you choose defines the ambiance of your entire living space. From soft, matte limewash textures to sleek, sculptural microcement or elegant Venetian plaster finishes—each surface treatment brings its own personality and tactile presence. As decorative plaster contractors, we’re often among the final trades on a renovation site, yet the impact of what we do lingers long after the dust settles.When it comes to surfacing a fireplace, the finish you choose defines the ambiance of your entire living space. From soft, matte limewash textures to sleek, sculptural microcement or elegant Venetian plaster finishes—each surface treatment brings its own personality and tactile presence. As decorative plaster contractors, we’re often among the final trades on a renovation site, yet the impact of what we do lingers long after the dust settles.

Before settling on a finish, we often guide clients through a design consultation that explores aesthetic goals, lighting conditions, material durability, and how the fireplace interacts with adjacent features like range hoods or accent walls. Below are some popular options:

Microcement

Known for its seamless application and ultra-modern look, microcement is highly durable, waterproof, and mold-resistant—making it ideal for high-traffic areas. With a raw, tactile beauty, it’s often chosen for minimalist or industrial-style interiors. Read more about microcement installation, here.

Limewash

Limewash paint brings an earthy, matte depth with subtle tonal variations. While less durable in direct heat zones unless sealed, it offers an organic, historical aesthetic perfect for rustic or wabi-sabi design styles. Read more about limewash painting, here.

Tadelakt

This Moroccan lime-based plaster is known for its waterproof properties and polished stone-like appearance. Tadelakt brings old-world charm and texture to fireplaces and is especially fitting for spa-like, natural interiors. Read more about tadelakt installation and costs, here.

Venetian Plaster

The most versatile of all, Venetian plaster offers finishes ranging from silky smooth to richly textured. It can shimmer, glow, or remain quietly matte—making it the chameleon of decorative surface finishes. Read more about venetian plaster intallation and costs, here.

Venetian plaster comes in a variety of styles, each suited to a particular mood and setting:

Marmorino: Smooth with a faint stone texture, perfect for understated elegance—now a trending choice for its simple, minimal look paired with a unique, stone-like finish.

Grassello: High gloss and mirror-like—ideal for dramatic, luxe spaces.

Pearl: A luminous soft sheen that catches light subtly.

Velvet: Low luster with a warm, velvety feel.

Metallic: Infused with shimmer and ideal for a striking, artistic statement.

With an endless range of pigments, textures, and finishes, the possibilities for surfacing your fireplace with Venetian plaster are truly limitless, as demonstrated in this stunning rustic chimney by a fellow plastering artist in Nashville. Explore more in our blog on Venetian Plaster Patterns.

In this full renovation of a Toronto home’s open-concept living space, our team was brought in to finish both a two-sided fireplace and a matching range hood. This was a brand-new build, where both the fireplace and hood had already been fully prepped with drywall, mudded, taped, and slightly sanded to a smooth finish before our application.

Proper surface preparation is essential for a flawless plaster finish. Fireplaces must be fully mudded, taped, and skim coated to create a seamless base. We offer complete prep services—including skimming and smoothing drywall as needed—but can also collaborate with your contractor if they prefer to handle the prep work.

We conducted a design consultation where the client reviewed three hand-crafted samples, each showcasing Venetian plaster tinted with different Benjamin Moore off-white colours, The winner was Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace for the subtle movement and no apparent undertones.

After confirming the selection, we applied a specialty Venetian plaster primer to ensure proper adhesion. The chosen finish was then built up in multiple layers of tinted Venetian plaster, troweled and refined by hand for the perfect tone and movement.

Once fully cured, the plaster was sealed with a special flat wax to enhance cleanability and durability while maintaining the matte sheen of the surface.

This isn’t just a fireplace; it’s a piece of sculpted. As natural light travels through the living room, you can witness that play of sheen and texture brings the surface to life. The marmorino Venetian plaster is refined—never flashy—with just the right amount of luminescence to elevate the room’s ambiance.

A fully customized Venetian plaster on fireplace wall surface design, this decorative plaster finish showcases how plaster artistry can redefine the heart of a home.

The cost of a Venetian plaster fireplace is a common question, and while it’s a premium finish, its price reflects its custom, artisanal quality. We price projects based on a few key factors to ensure a fair and accurate quote for your specific vision.

Generally, Venetian plaster costs anywhere from $15–$20 per square foot. For a full fireplace installation, projects typically start from $2,800 and go up. This initial price covers a standard installation on a prepped surface with a simple finish.

The final price of your project is influenced by several factors, including:

• Surface Preparation: The condition of the existing surface is critical. If we need to perform extensive work—such as skim-coating rough brick, patching drywall, or removing old finishes—the additional labor and materials will affect the total cost.
• Finish & Colour: A simple, single-tone finish will be more economical than a complex, two-color, or multi-layered design. Specialized finishes, such as a shimmering Metallic or a high-gloss Grassello, use more expensive materials and require greater skill, raising the overall price.
• Accessibility: Projects with challenging access, tight spaces, or a need for intricate work (like around built-in shelving or complex shapes) will require more time and precision.

Because every fireplace is unique, we recommend a personalized quote. Contact us today to discuss your project and get a precise estimate based on your design goals.

Looking to transform your fireplace with Venetian Plaster into a work of art? Let’s collaborate.