Venetian Plaster by Bishop Master Finishes

In the four decades since it was founded, the Melbourne-based company has perfected a range of 14 finishes, none as sublime as its Venetian plaster.

In the four decades since it was founded by John Bishop – who recently retired – the Melbourne-based, family-owned company has perfected a range of 14 finishes, none as sublime as its Venetian plaster, also known as polished plaster. John’s fascination with this timeless product started when he was travelling in Europe in the 1970s, but it was in 1993 that he had a close encounter that changed the course of his life.

“I was working on a painting project in a church in Hawthorn with a talented Italian painter, and he was making Venetian plaster using raw materials,” recalls John. “I thought it was amazing, as I’d never seen it applied before. But there were some issues with the recipe as it dried very quickly, making it difficult to work with.” After much experimentation, “I was able to make it myself in larger batches and without the drying issues.”

“Our brand is synonymous with Venetian plaster done right. People know that and trust us.”

The product is a mix of lime plaster, marble dust and natural additives that can be polished while drying. Applying it is a delicate artisanal procedure, explains John’s son Eddie – one of the reasons why Bishop Master Finishes has its own team of highly skilled tradesmen.

“The plaster must be applied in three coats,” explains Eddie. “The surface is sealed, then the plaster is evenly trowelled across the surface, then polished, which gives it the appearance of high-gloss polished marble. The skill of the applicator and use of traditional tools are integral to the end result. We get called in to ‘fix’ jobs regularly, where people have been misled about the skill of the person doing the work. Our brand is synonymous with Venetian plaster done right. People know that and trust us.”

“The tonal changes that happen naturally in the folding of the render give life and movement to what would otherwise be a flat sedentary surface.”

Venetian plaster creates a mood that is unparalleled. “The tonal changes that happen naturally in the folding of the render give life and movement to what would otherwise be a flat sedentary surface,” says Eddie. “The texture provides richness and depth, which means that when you’re looking at a room in terms of design, you’re starting the story at a five or six rather than a zero, as you would with paint. It is a beautiful finish, and, when expertly applied, it has a transformative effect on the mood of the room. Paint, on the other hand, is just a background colour.”

That transformative effect is displayed nowhere better than in the Chadstone store of Australian accessories label Mimco, designed by Studio Doherty. “This was a very special project,” says Eddie’s wife Maryke. “It was the perfect mix of talent and precision, and a client who wanted a space that was extraordinary. It took weeks working with the design team at Studio Doherty to get the colour and finish right. The end result … is a delicate blend of modernism, historicism and craftmanship.”

“We love working with people to realise their vision. It’s the ‘why’ of our business. We create visionary finishes for visionary designs.”

Venetian plaster is environmentally friendly, contains no VOCs and the only waste created during its production is water. The plaster also has an excellent fire rating and, like most of Bishop Master Finishes’ products, is manufactured by the company in Melbourne. “It’s also completely flexible in terms of colour and texture,” says Eddie, which makes this bespoke artisanal product hugely appealing to the industry. “We love working with people to realise their vision. It’s the ‘why’ of our business. We create visionary finishes for visionary designs.”