How To Use Lighting to Enhance Venetian Polished Plaster Interiors

There is no doubt that Venetian Plaster alone has the ability to transform any internal space. There are, however, several methods you can utilise in order to compliment or further accentuate your Venetian Plaster interior. One way to do this is to introduce strategic lighting. When lighting in manipulated correctly, the effect of your Venetian Plaster interior can be enhanced dramatically. 

Whether or not you have an abundance of natural light available, artifical lighting and reflective surfaces can be introduced in order to illumiate your interior space, helping you to get the most out of your Venetian Plaster interior. 

Venetian Plaster comes in a wide range of finishes, from smooth and glossy to coarse and textured, and can be matched to almost any colour or shade. Regardless of the effect and colour specified, the correct lighting will help to showcase the unique surface texture of any Venetian Polished Plaster interior.

In order to leverage natural light effectively, first consider where natural light enters your interior space, usually through doors, windows, glass walls and skylights. Consideration of the size, placement and orientation of these entry-points is also crucial. 

If you are able to install Venetian Plaster in an internal space with larger windows and glass doors, this will help to flood the interior with natural sunlight during daytime hours, naturally showcasing the intricate details of your Venetian Plaster throughout the day. As the day progresses, your Venetian Plaster surfaces will come to life in the presence of ever changing natural sunlight and shadows. 

East facing windows will provide more morning light, whilst West facing windows will provide warmer afternoon light. South facing windows, however, tend to provide the most consistent, gentle lighting throughout the day. 

Unfortunately, not all spaces will benefit from an abundance of natural light. In some situations, there may be a lack of larger windows for privacy reasons, or a lack of natural sunlight due to the orientation and structure of the building. If you are struggling to introduce more natural light, it is possible to amplify the natural light available by incorporating reflective surfaces such as glass, mirrors or water features.

Strategic positioning of mirrored surfaces can help not only to create the illusion of space, but also to brighten the area by reflecting more light across the room. As well as brightening the interior, mirrored surfaces can be positioned to reflect a Venetian Plaster surface, creating the illusion of increased coverage and amplifying its visual effects. 

Integrating transparent glass furtniture such as panels, screens and tables can also compliment your Venetian or Plaster interior. A glass surface can be used to enhance the effect of a glossy finish like Marmorino Spatula, or to contrast textured Venetian Plasters like our Pitted, Dragged or Travertine finishes, whilst showcasing their intricate surface textures. 

Water features such as pools and fountains can introduce a more dynamic element to interior design, with the ability to manipulate lighting and create movement, bringing the existing patterns and textures of Venetian Plaster to life. 

On several projects, we have applied our Venetian Plaster finishes to coffered ceilings above swimming pools, reflecting the surface of the water. The recessed panels in a coffered ceiling can help diffuse and reflect light, creating a more evenly lit and inviting atmosphere around the pool area.

Venetian Plaster, known for its luxurious teture and subtle colour variations, relies on well-planned lighting to reveal its full potential. When thoughtfully chosen and strategicallly positioned, artifical lighting not only illuminates but also enhances the richness, depth and ambiance of Venetian Plaster surfaces, and can be used to create captivating interiors. 

To compliment your Venetian Plaster interior effectively with artificial lighting, there are several elements to consider, including colour temperature, light distribution, positioning and orientation. 

It can be beneficial to choose light fixtures with a colour temperature which compliments the colours, textures and general aesthetic of your Venetian Plaster interior. Warmer temperatures (around 2700K - 3000K) can add warmth, whilst cooler temperatures (4000K - 5000K) can provide a more contemporary feel. 

Manipulating light distribution with strategic positioning and orientation of light fittings and fixtures can help emphasize the texture, colour and depth of your Polished Plaster. 

Directional Lighting: Positioning light fixtures such as spotlights or track lights strategically can help to direct light onto specific areas of the Venetian Plaster which you want to highlight, bringing out texture and creating depth by casting shadows. Spotlighting can be effective when paired with decorative finishes and Venetian Plasters with tonal and textural variations. 

Uplighting and Downlighting: Installing fixtures at or near floor level will cast light upward, washing the Venetian Plaster with soft, diffused illumination. Uplighting can create the illusion of height and grandeur, therefore maximising the visual impact of a Polished Plaster surface. Similarly, using recessed or pendant fixtures with a downward-facing orientation will create pools of light on the Venetian Plaster. Downlighting can be particuarly effective for illuminating horizontal surfaces, for example counters, worktops, furniture and flooring finished with Microcement or Polished Plaster.

Recessed and Strip-Lighting: Designed to be discreetly embedded within walls or ceilings, the gentle glow of recessed lighting can subtly illuminate your Venetian Plaster without overpowering it with harsh contrasts or shadows. Recessed lighting is also a great option if you are looking to achieve a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, maintaining your Venetian Plaster as the interior focal point. LED strip lights can be installed discreetly within architectural features such as coves, mouldings and shadow gaps, creating a continuous ethereal glow which can be used to subtly frame or highlight certain areas, such as feature walls or ceilings. 

Ceiling Lighting: Pendant lights with translucent or frosted shades can cast a diffused and flattering light to compliment a Venetian Plaster finish. On design projects, our Perla finish in particular is often paired with feature ceiling lights, adorned with ornate suspended pendants, creating unique reflections which illuminate the Perla and showcase its subtle iridescent hues. 

Dimmable Lighting: Adjustable lighting provides a dynamic environment in which you are able to control light distribution and intensity to influence the mood and ambience created by your Venetian Plaster interior. 

The artful combination of natural light and artificial light, along with the strategic use of reflective surfaces, can truly transform your Venetian Plaster interior into a masterpiece of design. Venetian Plaster, with its timeless elegance and captivating textures, offers a dynamic canvas just waiting to be bought to life. 

Whether you are aiming to create a cosy ambiance, or a striking focal point, the versatility of Venetian Plaster allows you to play with different lighting techniques to achieve your desired effect, creating an ever-changing, captivating interior environment.