Whitson’s is the coming together of two decorators, and a paint chemist. Cait and Gibson are highly skilled painters with a lot of experience in decorative work. They had long recognised that there were products that the decorating world lacked and they wanted to develop or source products and offer them along with a great service that would give you the best buying experience. Nick our paint chemist was the catalyst that gave Whitson’s the ability to start developing new products and offer services that he had broad experience with, filling the vital gap. With many years between them in application and product development, the team at Whitson’s are well place to offer you great technical back up as well as their superior products and excellent delivery service
Whitson’s manufactured products are niche products created for the decorating and decorative plastering trade. Invariably problem solving, these include our high quality Adhesion Primers; cleaners, sealers and basecoats for the gilding industry; primers and water repellents for Polished Plaster, Tadelakt and Marmorinos; Decorative Impasto Plaster that is ideally suited to the decorative painting trade. A varied mix of materials that are all designed to aid in superior decoration and fill a gap in the industry they serve.
Stucco Italiano is a global brand of traditional easy to use decorative lime plasters and paint products. The brand is owned by crafts people who developed them for their own projects and went on to sell them. The founders of the company have over 45 years experience in the field but the company is still quite young only being 27 years in existence. In this short time it has built a worldwide reputation for consummate quality and ease of use. All the lime based products are made in Italy using the best raw materials all of which are Italian in origin. When designing their products priority is given to simplicity of application and versatility. The products are traditional, but the range allows the artisan to create a myriad of contemporary as well as classical finishes.
Whitson’s want you to have the best experience with the products so please feel free to call and discuss your project with us and we can help recommend the best products and systems available to you.
Whitson’s are delighted to introduce Mr. Clay to the UK!
Mr. Clay plasters are free from hazardous chemicals, mineral-based and fully vapour-permeable, which makes it perfect for interior finishing in straw bale, earthen and other natural buildings. By choosing clay plaster you can be sure that the concentration of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in your home will not increase.
Clay plaster is ideal for those looking for a more affordable, simpler and faster wall finishing solution.
Mr. Clay plaster is also a great choice for those who need durable wall surfaces – you simply need to apply a varnish on top, just like with any other decorative plaster. Some might ask: “Why use a natural material if you’re going to varnish over it anyway?” We have an answer for you. First of all, the person applying the finish is safe when working with clay plaster – and that is incredibly important. Secondly, we have chosen a varnish that is safe to use. So the whole system may no longer be completely natural, but it is safe both for the craftsperson and for the people using the space.
Venetian Plaster is a decorative lime plaster veneer traditionally made in the Veneto Region of Italy. Seamless, and with endless variations it is a beautiful form of decoration for your home.
Yes, Polished Plaster was the term used in the UK previously and then in the 1980’s and 1990’s in the USA the material became fashionable and was coined “Venetian Plaster”
Yes, absolutely and it is as elegant on a ceiling as it is on walls.
Most cannot be used for floors because it is too soft, however Pastellone is designed for floors as well as walls and ceilings. Originally termed “Marmorino for Floors” it is durable, natural and stunningly versatile and beautiful.
Email us at sales@caitwhitson.com with your region and the material you like or the look that you are trying to achieve and we will hand pick an applicator skilled in that field in your area. Alternatively, if you have lots of images stored in your phone use WhatsApp and contact Cait on 07771663015
Yes, we have a colour range on the website ready for you to pick a beautiful colour for your home. Alternatively email us a paint colour you like – we keep all the major paint colour cards to hand – and we will see if we have something that is close, we have many custom colours that we have formulated in the past and we can check to see if we have something close to what you are looking for.
There are SO many different finishes that can be achieved, it is almost impossible to list them all. Why not check out our socials and see for yourself. Each applicator has their own style too so let us hook you up with some great applicators in your region and let them share their portfolio with you.
Venetian Plaster is durable but in different ways from wallpaper or paint. It is harder than both, but you won’t see a scrub rating for Venetian Plaster. You also won’t see seams that get caught and start to look tatty. Venetian Plaster ages gracefully because of its timeless elegance; like all things of quality, its patina can add to its beauty. Some areas may need to be finished differently to cope with things like grease and stains – such as a kitchen splash-back. Contact us to find out how to make these areas stain resistant and scrubbable in high traffic or “mucky” environments.
Used by the Romans, lime based concrete was the material that enabled the construction of enduring architectural marvels such as aqueducts and amphitheatres. In the humid Venetian lagoon, lime plaster was widely used for palace walls and remains well-preserved today. Its durability stems from its breathability; unlike cement, lime allows moisture to evaporate, preventing erosion. Its porosity also provides flexibility, making it less prone to cracking. Additionally, lime’s high pH naturally resists mold -crucial for damp environments – and it won’t soften or dissolve like clay or gypsum.
Yes, you can but not all of them are suited for exterior or wet areas. Contact us to find out which ones can be and which are best for your particular project.
Similar to other coatings there are some stains that will lift and others that won’t. A well-maintained Venetian Plaster wall finish is waxed, and the wax should repel most liquids – so if cleaned up quickly they should be fine. Grease and fat will penetrate waxed finishes but talk to us about alternative finishes should this seem likely to happen.
Smooth polished Venetian Plaster is not easy to repair on the face should it get badly damaged, but exterior corner nibbles can usually be disguised by repair more easily. By the same token though a wallpaper or painted finish, if the wall got badly damaged, would not repair easily. Small scratches and day to day damaged on a polished surface can often be sanded out with very fine sandpaper if necessary. Textured finishes can most often be repaired more easily.
Most polished plasters just need to be dusted or wiped with a soft cloth. The wax or soap protection can be buffed up with a soft cloth too. High traffic areas my need re-waxing after a period – speak to your installer should this need to be done
Clean any spills or marks as soon as you can, many will wipe away easily with a damp soft cloth. If you need to use a detergent, use a well diluted neutral Ph cleaner on a damp cloth. Do not rub too hard or scrub, as this can remove the protective wax or soap and drive dirt into the plaster. Heavy dirt deposits should be cleaned with the Stucco Italiano Cleaner for Venetian Plaster, this holds the dirt in the foam and does not allow it to penetrate. After using the cleaner apply some fresh protection – wax or soap.
Not all things called “Venetian Plaster” are, but Stucco Italiano plasters are. Stucco Italiano Mineral Plasters are made from natural slaked lime and reclaimed marble powders. Synthetic ingredients comprise only a minimal 2.5% of the total weight and are of the highest quality. These materials are also entirely free from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Synthetic materials are added for a few reasons, for improved performance and pot life for instance. Without these ingredients, wet (ready mixed) products would not last and would need to be supplied as a powder. There are few manufacturers that can claim as low a synthetic content.
Yes, you can. Stucco Italiano manufactures a range of powder products that have all the synthetics replaced with natural alternatives like casein and shellac. These are available on special order from Whitson’s Ltd.
Yes, and in many ways, both safe for the environment in general and for the environment of your home.
This is difficult to answer because of the variety of materials, finishes, styles of application and also the varying labour costs in different areas. Preparation is key, and some substrates may take more time to prepare than others. The larger the aggregate in the plaster, the greater the consumption, so a Marmorino Coarse for instance will take more material that a Marmorino Classic Fine. Then there are some materials that only require 2 coats whereas others might need 3. Including materials finishes might start at about £80 per sq metre but most will be £100 +. Wet areas and showers tend to be the most expensive as there is a more complexity in making the material water resistant.
The application of Venetian Plaster is not a DIY option; it is a skill learned and we have teamed with schools that expertly support the prospective applicator/installer. If you are looking for an installer in your area, please get in touch
Global cultures have long used lime plaster for decoration and practical reasons, creating regional variations based on local materials and needs. Examples include Italian Marmorino, Japanese Shikkui, and Morocco’s Tadelakt. Like cooking, where 4 basic ingredients will make both a Victoria sponge and a pancake, these distinct plasters share a base but achieve vastly different outcomes. The key ingredients of these 2 plasters are similar but the look and generally perceived uses are different. Both can be used for decoration purely but historically Tadelakt is used in wet areas and the look is more earthy as opposed to the elegant patterning and high sheen of Marmorinos.
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