Plaster · Maui, Hawaii
Hand-troweled, hand-burnished polished plaster that gives walls real depth, soft sheen and movement — installed by a Kihei-based crew that has worked in Maui's salt air and humidity since 2008.
Plaster · Maui, Hawaii
Hand-troweled, hand-burnished polished plaster that gives walls real depth, soft sheen and movement — installed by a Kihei-based crew that has worked in Maui's salt air and humidity since 2008.
Venetian plaster is a lime-based finish built up in several very thin coats, each one troweled on by hand and then compressed with a steel trowel. That burnishing closes the surface and polishes it, so the finished wall has a layered, almost stone-like depth instead of the flat look of paint. Light moves across it differently through the day, which is why it is a favorite for entries, dining rooms, stairwells and primary suites.
Because it is applied by hand, no two walls are identical. The finish can be tuned from a soft matte with subtle mottling to a high-gloss, marble-like polish, and it can be tinted to almost any color — from warm whites that work with natural wood and stone to deep tones for a feature wall.
Island homes deal with humidity, salt air, trade-wind dust and strong sun. Lime-based plasters are vapor-permeable, so they let moisture move through the wall instead of trapping it behind a film the way some paints and vinyl coverings can. Lime is also naturally alkaline, which makes the surface less hospitable to mold and mildew.
A properly burnished and sealed Venetian finish is durable and easy to live with. Light scuffs can often be polished out, and small areas can be repaired and blended by hand rather than repainting an entire room.
Most of the work that makes a Venetian finish last happens before the first coat. We check the substrate, repair cracks and joints, and prime it so the plaster bonds evenly. Then we apply the plaster in multiple thin passes, burnish each coat, and finish with a protective wax or sealer suited to the room.
We are based in Kihei and install Venetian plaster across the island — Wailea, Makena, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Upcountry and beyond — and we take projects on the other Hawaiian Islands as well. Pair it with lime plaster or lime wash in adjoining rooms for a calm, consistent look throughout the home.
Yes, on walls outside the direct water zone, such as vanity and toilet-room walls, when it is properly sealed. For showers and tub surrounds we recommend tadelakt, a lime plaster made to handle water.
Usually, yes. Sound drywall can be repaired and primed to accept plaster. We check the condition of the walls during the site visit and tell you what prep is needed.
Dust or wipe with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners. Sealed or waxed finishes can be refreshed over time, and small marks can often be polished out or repaired locally.
Cost depends on wall area, wall condition, ceiling height, access and the finish level you choose. We provide a free on-site estimate with a written, itemized quote.
Yes. HillTop Contractors, LLC holds Hawaii contractor license #CT 29223 and has served Maui since 2008.