In North York, Toronto, design trends favor luxurious finishes that provide both texture and drama. We recently completed a stunning fireplace resurfacing project where a dated tiled, free-standing fireplace was transformed using a custom metallic Venetian plaster application. By layering traditional Marmorino plaster with a specialized blend of silver metallic paint and silver mica, we turned a simple structure into the focal point of the home.

These Metallic Plasters are similar to paint but are primarily applied with trowels to create highly reflective, shiny, and sometimes glittery effects. They can be used on their own or, as in this project, used as a top coat to decorate other base plasters like Marmorino.

Venetian plaster is an umbrella term for traditional Italian lime-based plasters. Marmorino is a specific type of Venetian plaster historically used in Venice to imitate natural marble. It is prized for its composition of slaked lime and marble dust, which creates a durable, breathable, and highly polished finish. Its subtle depth and texture provide the perfect canvas for achieving sophisticated, luminous effects.

To explore the artistry and elegance of this material further, visit our dedicated Decorative Plaster & Venetian Plaster page where you can learn about the different types of Venetian plaster (like Marmorino and Stucco Veneziano), the detailed application process, and a comprehensive breakdown of the associated costs.

To achieve the desired contemporary opulence, we elevated the traditional Marmorino finish with modern materials:

• Metallic Paint and Mica: Unlike standard paint, the specialty silver metallic paint used contains fine metal particles that create a reflective sheen. This was further enhanced by incorporating silver mica (a natural mineral flake) into the final layers.
• The Result: The layers combine the matte depth and movement of the Marmorino with a dynamic, eye-catching metallic shimmer. The resulting metallic Venetian plaster catches the light, making the fireplace appear carved from stone and precious metal simultaneously.

The decision to use metallic Venetian plaster for fireplace surfacing offers significant advantages, particularly in an urban renovation setting like North York, Toronto.

• Low-Demolition Resurfacing: The plaster can be applied directly over many existing materials, including tiled or brick fireplaces (after proper preparation). This minimized the need for costly and messy demolition, making the fireplace resurfacing process faster and cleaner for the homeowner.
• Seamless Aesthetic: The plaster eliminates all grout lines and joints, creating a monolithic, sculptural surface that wraps the entire free-standing fireplace.
• High-End Customization: Each trowel stroke is unique, delivering an artisanal, one-of-a-kind finish that cannot be replicated with pre-fabricated stone or tile.

To read more on this unique fireplace resurface in a Toronto home, refer to our Fireplace Resurfacing with Venetian Plaster: A Sculptural Transformation in Toronto article. 

The cost of Venetian plaster over tile is a premium investment, and pricing typically reflects the level of artistry and material quality. The final cost is broken down into two main components:

• Preparation: Before the Venetian plaster can be applied, extensive prep work is required to properly seal the existing tile and ensure a stable, flat surface. This necessary preparation work often starts at $500+.
• Plaster Application: For an average 6-foot long fireplace, the specialized Marmorino plaster application typically starts from $2,800. This base price then increases based on complexity, as customization factors like the metallic paint and mica application add to the final price.

While the initial cost is generally higher than basic tile or drywall finishes, it offers a far superior aesthetic, texture, and durability. The value is found in the bespoke nature of the artisan work and the transformation of the existing structure into a durable, unique architectural feature.

Building upon this luminous technique, another sought-after variation is Mother of Pearl Venetian Plaster, which uses fine pearlescent additives—rather than metal pigments or mica—to deliver a softer, iridescent sheen and a deep, multi-tonal glow, offering an equally luxurious but more diffused sense of light and opulence.

To see this pearlescent effect in a real-world setting, read our feature article detailing a recent project where we applied the exquisite Mother of Pearl Venetian Plaster to a fireplace TV wall in a newly built luxury home in Etobicoke.