Polished plaster is the art of transforming ordinary walls into luminous, tactile surfaces that resemble polished marble, natural stone, or burnished metal. In Melbourne’s design-conscious market, polished plaster has become the finish of choice for homeowners, architects, and interior designers who want walls with depth, warmth, and handcrafted character that paint simply cannot deliver.
ELF Decor supplies one of Australia’s broadest ranges of polished plaster products — all formulated in the European tradition using premium Italian ingredients — through our showroom in Highett, Victoria.
Polished plaster is a broad term for decorative wall coatings that are applied in multiple thin layers and then burnished (polished) by hand to create a smooth, lustrous surface. The technique dates back to Renaissance Italy, where artisans used slaked lime and marble dust to create interior finishes that mimicked the appearance of solid marble at a fraction of the weight and cost.
Today, polished plaster encompasses both traditional lime-based formulations and modern acrylic-modified systems. Both can achieve beautiful results, but they differ in composition, breathability, and application characteristics.
Traditional lime-based polished plaster is made from slaked lime, fine marble dust, and natural mineral pigments. It’s the authentic material used for centuries in Italian architecture. Lime plaster is naturally breathable (allowing walls to regulate humidity), antimicrobial (the alkaline pH of lime resists mould), fire-resistant, and contains zero volatile organic compounds. It develops a natural patina over time and actually hardens as the lime continues to carbonate, meaning the finish improves with age.
Modern acrylic-modified polished plaster uses synthetic polymers alongside mineral components to deliver faster drying times, greater consistency, and improved water resistance. These products are easier to apply and more forgiving for less experienced applicators. They offer a similar visual result to traditional lime plaster, though with slightly reduced breathability.
ELF Decor’s range includes both types, giving Melbourne homeowners and their designers the flexibility to choose the product that best suits their project’s aesthetic, performance, and budget requirements.
Murano — a luxurious venetian plaster created using natural mineral fillers and acrylic components. Creates the classic polished marble effect with enhanced durability. Ideal for feature walls, living rooms, and bedrooms where a luminous, refined surface is desired.
Veneziano Style — authentic venetian plaster based on high-quality aged lime, fine marble powder, and natural ingredients. This is our most traditional formulation, delivering the deep, translucent finish that venetian plaster is renowned for. Perfect for heritage restorations and luxury interiors.
Marmorino Style — a natural lime decorative coating combining modern technology with the secrets of Italian craftsmen. Achieves a polished marble look with exceptional depth and luminosity. Available in a wide palette of colours.
Marmorino Style Satinato — the matte variation of Marmorino Style, creating an antiqued natural stone effect that adds warmth, nobility, and a sense of history to interiors. Particularly striking in dining rooms, libraries, and heritage-style spaces.
Travertino Veneziano — a lime-based decorative coating with exceptional aesthetics and performance, offering the natural beauty of travertine stone. Equally suited to classical and contemporary Melbourne interiors.
Grotto — a natural lime coating known for its versatility and durability. Can be finished in a variety of textures from smooth and polished to rustic and cave-like. Its antimicrobial properties make it ideal for Melbourne’s climate.
Melbourne’s climate places unique demands on interior finishes. The city’s humidity fluctuations — from damp, cool winters to warm, dry summers — can cause condensation and mould issues in homes with impermeable wall coatings. Lime-based polished plaster is naturally breathable, allowing moisture to pass through the wall rather than trapping it behind the surface. This reduces condensation risk and helps maintain healthier indoor air quality.
The alkaline pH of lime also naturally resists mould growth — a meaningful advantage in Melbourne’s older solid-walled homes where moisture management is an ongoing consideration.
Beyond performance, polished plaster’s ability to interact with natural light makes it particularly effective in Melbourne’s south-facing rooms, where softer daylight creates subtle shifts in tone and depth across the plastered surface throughout the day.
Polished plaster is a premium, artisan-applied finish. For Melbourne projects in 2026, expect indicative pricing of $120–$250+ per m² (plus GST) fully installed, depending on the product, number of coats, finish complexity, and wall condition. A single-colour satin finish sits at the lower end; multi-tonal, high-gloss polished finishes command the upper end.
For detailed pricing, please refer to our Venetian Plaster Cost Guide on the blog, or contact our team for a project-specific estimate.
ELF Decor’s Highett showroom displays over 50 decorative coatings, including the full polished plaster range described above. Every product is shown on sample boards so you can see the colour, texture, and sheen under real lighting conditions. Our team will help you select the right product for your space and connect you with certified applicators across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Visit us at 11/250 Wickham Road, Highett VIC 3190. Call (03) 7302 0578 or request a quote online.