The WOW Factor! ©
"Begin Here...The Wow Effect"

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Venetian Plaster, Imported from Verona, Italy, Has Finally Arrived in Sioux Falls.......WOW!

The “Romance of Italy” and the “Tuscany Style of Decorating” Most of us have imagined, what it would be like to explore the romantic charm of Italy and its dramatic history.

“Italian Venetian Plaster, when you see this finish for the first time, you will think you have left the country...what an amazing finish!”

Italian Venetian Plaster earned its name and reputation in Venice, Italy, where it has blessed the 18th century Venetian Palaces for hundreds of years.

Today, many Faux Finishes Schools have tried to copy and recreate the original Italian Finishes. The “Art of Faux Finishing” is as popular as ever. New Faux Finishes Schools and Italian Venetian Plaster Schools are opening around the world.

New Faux Finish Classes offer training in Faux Finish and Venetian Plaster application. There are many Faux Finish application techniques that can create some very dramatic finishes. But they fall short when they try to recreate the dramatic and popular “Italian Venetian Plaster Finishes”.

At Bella Faux Finishes, we are not a Faux Finish School. In the beginning, our focus was on creating Faux Finishes. Little did we know, that was about to change...

A few of years ago, I walked into a room, and was standing in front of “The Most Dramatic Finish”, I have ever seen. The depth and beauty of this effect was breathtaking.

This finish was “Italian Venetian Plaster”...WOW! The finish is visually translucent in appearance, smooth to the touch, with the effect of a polished marble or granite.

From that moment on, my love for the Art of Faux Finishing, changed to a “Passion to Learn and Understand everything I can about... ”Italian Venetian Plaster”.

Italian Venetian Plaster is NOT a Faux Finish. Historically correct formulas of 100% slaked lime and marble flour are what allow you to create this dramatic Italian Finish.

The American Version of Venetian Plaster, are generally a thick acrylic paint. They use very little lime or marble flour, to create their product. I have worked with both American Venetian Plaster and Italian Venetian Plaster. It would not be fair to compare the two finishes. “True Italian Venetian Plaster” is beyond anything I have ever seen before.

In my quest to learn more about the Italian Finishes, I attended the “School of Italian Plaster”. Here we were taught the ancient plaster techniques, which have been passed on by the “Master Italian Artisans”.

This extensive training involved not only your hands and the unique application, but also the mind. It is critical to understand the philosophy of the application, as well as how each of the Italian plasters work together, to create this dramatic effect.

The trowel application is physical. The timing and unique application of the plaster, demand that you plan each step of your project very well.  To become proficient in the Italian Plasters, years of training and application are required, to replicate what the Italian Master Artisans have been able to do with these “Dramatic Italian Plaster Finishes”.

Our Safra © Plasters are imported from Verona, Italy. Safra © plasters have a prestigious reputation throughout Europe with Interior Designers, Home Builders and Historic Restoration Committees. Using historically correct formulas, Safra © Plasters have ensured that their Venetian Plasters, truly are very best in the world.

We love to get involved in the early stages of an Interior Design Project. Presenting Interior Designers, Architects, Home Builders, and Homeowner’s with a variety of creative ideas and dramatic finishes is the fun part of the process.

At Bella Faux Finishes, the study of Dramatic Interior Design is a passion. The importance of how you stage a room, and layer your color and texture, will determine the final effect.

To learn more about the Interior Design process, I have tried to capture some of our ideas, by writing a variety of articles on Interior Design.

Before you begin your next Interior Design Project, please read “The 7 Interior Design Mistakes ©”. Here we have identified seven common errors in Interior Decorating. These 7 Interior design mistakes can prevent you from creating the drama you are looking for.


If you are building a new home, please read “The 7 Home Building Mistakes ©”. Building a new home is such a fun and challenging process. But there are 7 very common errors. Take the time to learn more about  “The 7 Home Building Mistakes”. These 7 decisions are critical to completing a successful Home Building project.

We have almost finished our next article titled, “How to Create The WOW Effect ©”.  Here we have tried to identified “The 7 Principles of WOW ©”. The WOW Effect © is by far the Pinnacle of Interior Design, and....also the most elusive. If you are interested in receiving this article, please call or email us.

If you are just beginning your Interior Design project, and would like to share some ideas, please give us a call. We would love to meet with you and discuss your next project.

Finally, at Bella Faux Finishes, our goal is to offer our clients “The Best Value for Dramatic Interior Design” in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area. We also offer our services to communities near Sioux City, Iowa and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

With each new project, the fun begins with the brainstorming session. Selecting the style, color, texture and Italian Venetian Plaster finish is unique each time.

“The completion of a project is like saying goodbye... to an old friend”.

~ Mark & Kathleen Nordgren ~