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What is Venetian plaster? Is it just a fancy name given to a standard plaster product, or is there something unique which sets it apart from other typical forms of plastering? And is it expensive? If so, why the price tag? Is it worth the investment? Will it likely add value to your home or is it just a fad? In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
What is Venetian plaster?
So, what is Venetian plaster? Venetian plaster, also known as marble plaster, Italian plaster, or polished plaster, is a type of plaster made from lime putty and marble dust which gives it a gorgeous, polished finish to both walls and ceilings. In fact, when applied correctly it can give off a look which imitates marble itself. As a direct result, people who use this product can enjoy a very successful decorative effect.
Venetian plaster can be enhanced using acrylic resins, however, when it is applied correctly by a professional, the plaster boasts its own unique, deeply textured and smooth finish, displaying a high and glossy sheen.
This plastering technique has been adopted for centuries and although it was originally used for building purposes, it is now used today as an interior design feature.
So, why is it so popular? Venetian plaster earned its popularity not only for having a striking and luxurious aesthetic but because it is a lime-based product and produced with fewer harmful chemicals – thus making it hypoallergenic and resistant to mould and algae.
Additionally, it is an excellent product for regulating humidity in the home. In a nutshell, Venetian plaster is a magnificent product all around.
Is Venetian plaster expensive?
The short answer is yes, but it’s all relative. A typical wet plaster job will set you back somewhere in the region of $90.00 per square metre, whereas a Venetian plaster finish costs approximately $150.00 per square metre.
Venetian plaster is expensive compared to a bog-standard plaster finish and with good reason. Not only is it far more labour intensive to install properly, but the aesthetic finish is far superior to that of any other form of plaster. Generally speaking, you will need to paint over normal plaster, however, Venetian plaster is a feature in and of itself and does not require any paint afterwards.
Does Venetian plaster increase home value?
So, is it worth paying the extra for Venetian plaster over a standard wet plaster job? Will it increase the value of your home?
Venetian plaster will immediately increase the overall value of your home. So, not only is it enhancing the aesthetic charm of your property (thus increasing it’s overall ‘buy ability’ and attractiveness to potential buyers), but it will also enable you to build equity and get more when looking to sell.
Why does it add value? What is it that makes it a superior option to standard plaster finishes?
- It’s natural: predominantly being made of limestone and water, Venetian plaster is more attractive to prospective buyers because it is an organic product that can sustainably be harvested from our natural environment. That, and it is naturally mould-resistant while not emitting any harmful substances into the home.
- It looks like marble: one cannot deny how fancy and expensive marble looks. While it is not marble, it effortlessly mimics the natural appearance of marble, making this an attractive and affordable alternative, while taking on a life of its own.
- It can be customised: while Venetian plaster looks amazing on its own, it can be customised in a wide variety of ways, using a combination of natural and synthetic colourings.
- It is a low-maintenance product: yes, the application of Venetian plaster is rather labour intensive and thus should be applied by a Venetian plastering specialist, however, the finished product is easy to care for. This is because it doesn’t age, fade, and is highly durable – even without additional varnishing.
Conclusion
All in all, Venetian plaster is a superior product that is well worth the hype. Here’s a quick summary:
- Venetian plaster is made from limestone putty and marble dust – giving a unique and natural-looking finish.
- It is expensive compared to regular plaster finishes, but the higher price tag is justified by the wealth of benefits it brings – not to mention its immense beauty.
- Venetian plaster can not only enhance the value of your home but increase its ‘buy ability’ to prospective investors.
We hope that you have found this article helpful. If you need further information or want to explore your Venetian plaster options, check out a reputable company like Platinum 3 Painting that has the expertise to deliver such a stunning, labour-intense product with expert precision.
Most of us crave a glowing tan, yet while this type of pigmentation is desirable, many people have some kind of pigmentation that they feel needs treatment: these can manifest in the forms of unwanted freckles, brown spots, sunspots, or age spots.
More than 80% of women over the age of 25 say they have some form of pigmentation that they would like to see lightened. Skin pigmentation can be split into three major types and treated several ways, which can become quite confusing when searching for the right pigmentation removal cream.
What Causes Skin Pigmentation and Hyperpigmentation?
Melanin is a brown pigment that protects your skin from the damaging effects of ultra-violet (UV) rays. It’s produced in the melanocytes found in the deepest layer of your epidermis, as well as your hair and in the irises of your eyes.
Hyperpigmentation is an increase in the amount of melanin and its distribution in the skin to the point where there is too much being produced in one area, leaving you with skin discolouration. This type of pigmentation can be triggered by a number of factors, including exposure to UV light, hormonal changes, skin inflammation, injury, and genetics.
Three Types of Skin Pigmentation
Solar Lentigines or Sunspots
These non-cancerous, clearly defined, and pigmented sunspots are larger than freckles. Found in the upper layers of the epidermis and mostly superficial, lentigines can develop over a period of years or suddenly appear anywhere on the body. They range from light brown to black in colouration.
The degree of the pigmentation is dependent on the intensity and duration of exposure. Sunspots should be monitored, as they do have the potential to turn into skin cancer and melanoma. Sunscreen and proper sun protection (hats, rash guards, etc.) can help reduce flare-ups and deepening pigmentation. To fade dark marks and patches quickly and safely, prescription pigmentation treatments that contain powerful active ingredients are ideal for smoothing and brightening uneven skin tone and texture.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurs as a result of injury to the skin from acne, burns, surgery, cuts and scrapes, insect bites, rashes, and aggressive skincare treatments. PIH can naturally fade over time or it may require the application of prescription skin pigmentation treatment that takes into consideration your lifestyle factors and triggers.
Melasma
Melasma is pigmentation that occurs deeper in your skin’s dermis on areas of the face, neck, and sometimes the chest and arms. Hyperpigmentation from melasma takes the form of dark symmetrical patterns (usually across the centre of the face, forehead, cheeks, upper lip, nose, and chin). Women are more prone to melasma than men (only 10% of men suffer from melasma). People with darker skin, those of Latin/Hispanic, African, Asian, Middle Eastern, or Mediterranean descent are much more likely to suffer from melasma.
Melasma is commonly caused by exposure to UV light, which over-stimulates the skin’s melanocytes. Just a small amount of time spent in the sun can cause melasma to return even after it has faded. Which is why there is always an increase in the number of people looking for melasma pigmentation treatment in the summer.
Changes in hormones can also trigger melasma, often occurring during pregnancy, which is why it is often called “the mask of pregnancy”. Using birth control pills and hormone replacement treatments can also trigger melasma, both of which should be discontinued before the treating the increase in pigment.
Potent Pigmentation Removal Creams
Clinically Compounded Prescription Treatments
You can be prescribed pigmentation removal creams and serums that have been tailored specifically to your skin’s needs by a doctor or dermatologist. Telemedicine providers, like Qr8 MediSkin, offer an online video consultation with one of their doctors after you complete a comprehensive questionnaire. In the consultation the doctor will account for your lifestyle and skin sensitivity and tolerance, after which a specialist compounding pharmacist will tailor a cream with a selection of active ingredients for safe pigmentation removal. They will then deliver your pigment removal cream base or serum directly to your door, the service also includes personalised follow-up care from their Skincare Support Team, to ensure you get the best results in the shortest time. Simple!
Dermatologist-approved pigmentation treatment ingredients that are clinically proven to produce results include: hydroquinone, retinoids, kojic and azelaic acids, alpha-arbutin, tranexamic acid, and hydrocortisone.
OTC Lightening and Brightening Creams
Over-the-counter (OTC) creams can remove pigmentation, and these creams are often available in higher-strength formulas. Some commonly used ingredients include hydroquinone, liquorice extract, niacinamide and retinoids. While these are more readily accessible, they often take longer than other clinically prescribed pigment treatments. Below are some of the most sought-after creams to remove unwanted pigmentation:
Murad: Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum
Pollution and UV light can accelerate skin damage through oxidative stress. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that supports healthier-looking skin and can help prevent visible skin damage like hyperpigmentation, dullness, and uneven tone. Glycolic acid resurfaces and removes dead surface cells to reveal more radiant skin. Formulated for all skin tones and skin types, from oily to dry.
Skinmedica: Lytera® 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum
Lytera® 2.0 is an advanced Pigment Correcting Serum, formulated to address the appearance of stubborn skin discolouration. This non-hydroquinone, retinol-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic formulation helps optimize results of multiple treatment approaches, including chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, and prescription skin care products, such as hydroquinone.
Aspect Skincare: Pigment Punch® +
Defy age spots and pigmented areas with this advanced formula that combines multi-functional plant extracts and peptides to reveal a more even skin tone. A powerful treatment to even skin tone, and visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots and pigmented areas. Not just for those with existing pigment concerns, this serum will enhance radiance, smooth and reveal a glowing complexion for all skin types. It contains, Vitamin B5, C & E, lactic acid, Kakadu plum, and daisy flower extract – this serum scores bonus points by being vegan-friendly!
In Conclusion
While many of us do suffer from unwanted pigmentation, there are a whole host of ways to treat, manage and prevent future reoccurrences. Finding the right combination for your skin can take time, both with OTC and prescription-only treatments. OTC treatments are becoming more potent, which can have both positive and negative consequences (no one likes heightened skin sensitivity or dryness), that being said, seeking the help of a dermatologist can greatly increase your chances of success when managing or fading facial pigmentation.
Just as with any tree, pruning is an incredibly important part of taking care of them and keeping them naturally healthy. The need for this is even more prevalent when it comes to caring for palm trees. This is because palm tree fronds grow rapidly, and wither and dry out equally as fast. This soon becomes a fire hazard and can also become a danger for anyone walking nearby or under the palm tree. Fronds that have withered and died tend to fall off at random and blow about in the wind. Thus, having the palm tree pruned and these fronds trimmed away is essential for keeping the area safe.
But palm tree pruning isn’t just about safely cutting away the dead and excess fronds from the tree itself but clearing around the tree as well. Again, dead and dry fronds are a fire hazard and can be especially dangerous in hot countries like Australia which experience significant heat waves throughout the year.
If you’re concerned about the palm trees on your property and you think that you could do with having them pruned and maintained by a professional arborist, then Lakeside Trees and Stumps would be our recommendation. Have a reputable and reliable tree-care expert come out to your property and work their magic!
Aesthetic Benefits
In addition to the evident health and safety benefits that come with having your palm trees pruned, there are other aesthetic benefits as well. Naturally, a palm tree that is covered with dead and dying fronds is not so easy on the eye when compared to a freshly pruned and healthy-looking tree.
If you wish to keep the palm trees on your property looking their absolute best, then regular pruning is going to be an essentiality.
It’s Safer Than Attempting It Alone
Palm trees aren’t the easiest tree to climb which is why you should always hire a professional when it comes to pruning them. Getting up high enough and being able to safely remove the dead and dying fronds is no simple task, so you’re better off hiring the professionals to handle it on your behalf. This can save you a world of trouble should you try it alone and find yourself struggling to get the job done safely.
Get your palm tree pruned today and promote strong future growth. Pruning is an important part of tree care and helps to keep them as healthy and attractive as possible.
If the thought of keeping your property safe whilst restoring the aesthetic appeal to your trees is attractive to you, then you should call your local arborist today and book yourself in for an appointment!
Having children is obviously quite an expensive thing, so holiday’s can start to really take their toll on the ol’ bank account. However, there are cheaper alternatives to going on vacation to another country and one in particular that your children will especially enjoy.
Certainly, as your kids get older, they might start doing that horrible teenager thing where they compare everything they have to their friends “Nancy would never go camping, her parents take her to the Maldives six times a year.” But fortunately, if they’re still young enough then they will not be biased at all and will absolutely lose their minds over an awesome camping trip!
They can connect with nature
One of the sad things about today’s youngest generation is that they have little interaction with nature. It’s all about social media, the internet, their smartphones, and keeping up with the Joneses. Well, there shall be none of that on your camping trip! Have a technology-free adventure and introduce them to nature in all of its splendour!
Inspire them with a sense of adventure
Children already have incredibly active minds, but it can be made even better by taking them camping. They will be able to meet other children camping, and they will have a wealth of exciting new smells and sights to explore! This will invariably boost their mood, improve their mental health, and demonstrate just how beautiful and simple life can be.
Help them build resilience
Children today aren’t rolling around in the dirt or scuffing their knees as much as they should be. A life spent indoors is too predictable. A child should be challenged to new surroundings and basic tasks such as collecting firewood, building a fire, picking up supplies from the camp shop and more.
Tap into their creative side
Camping is a great opportunity for children to explore the natural world and tap into their creative side. They will be able to find ways to entertain themselves, rather than relying on a tablet or smart phone. You’d be surprised by how much fun a child can have when left to their own devices when camping!
Strengthen their imaginations
There’s nothing quite so stimulating for a child than being able to laze out under the stars and ponder the universe. It’s fun swapping stories and trying to answer the untold questions of the universe. They can come up with their own theories and have fun speculating about what’s out there, beyond the stars.
Conclusion
You owe it to your children to give them these gorgeous opportunities to explore and appreciate nature in their youth. The world is a truly beautiful place and they should learn to love and respect it.
If you’re interested in a camping trip and would like to save as much money as you can in doing so, try to borrow as much gear as you can from friends, and also pick up budget items such as recycled, affordable camping mats. With a bit of planning and creativity you will be able to save plenty of money and have an awful lot of fun whilst you’re at it!
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