Lime Finishes

The following products are all made of slaked lime and contain no synthetic additives or acrylic modifiers. They are hypoallergenic, mold and dust mite resistant, and historically correct Italian plasters. They are available only from Safra S.p.A., Italy. All the limes may be used inside or outside and due to there natural ability to transpire moisture they are suitable to humid environments, however when used on exteriors they must be used over lime plasters or lime based substrates. As with all surface treatments used outside maintenance will eventually be required. Inside they will last a lifetime.


Calce Nova

This is the name Safra uses for the elegant classic Italian plaster found throughout the palazzi of the Venitian State during the 1600's and 1700's. The most recognizable of the Italian plasters, it's the one generally referred to with the word Venetian. It's highly polished surface lends a regal ambiance to any room.

General - Calce Nova is a true Stucco Veneziano containing the purest Carrera Marble flour mixed with highly filtered aged pure slaked lime putty known in Italy as Grassello (fat).

Texture - Smooth as glass and highly polished this plaster is cool and sensual to the touch. Unlike paint, this product is highly reflective from an angle view and nearly non reflective from the front.

Colour and Technique - Since this is a pure lime plaster, pigmentation is available to only about 70% of black. Application technique determines the final appearance which can be from very busy to quietly mottled.

Architectural treatments - Calce Nova is generally designed to be used as an interior plaster, and is suitable over any common substrate.   This mineral finish performs well in commercial and residential luxury residential environments or areas requiring a natural finish.

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Fresco Nova

This is the product name used to describe the original historic version of the true Venetian Stucco. Developed to comply with historical requirements on buildings where and when filtered grasselo was not used. Truly a classic.

General - 100% pure slaked unfiltered lime, and marble dust. Very similar in content to Calce Nova save for the lack of filtering, Fresco Nova however imparts a beautifully antiquated look by comparison.

Texture - While this remains a smooth polished plaster with a high degree of side sheen, the cruder unfiltered bits create a degree of pointed relief. These can be seen and to some degree felt. Lending a warm aged appearance to the surfaces cool feel.

Colour and Technique - Since this is a pure lime plaster, pigmentation is available to only about 70% of black. Both application and color affect the contrast and degree of interest in the finish. It may be applied over our textured substrate or smooth.

Architectural treatments - Fresco Nova as a pure lime plaster, was designed as an historical interior wall and ceiling treatment.  It performs well over all standard substrates and it's organic mix of crude texture and refined polish can be said to be complimentary to modern design or supportive in traditional settings.




Marmorino

This classic 15th century plaster developed in renaissance Venice as an imitation marble is one of the most elegant and widely known, requested by architects and designers worldwide. Perhaps the most popular plaster finish in Italy today. The name literally means "little marble" in Italian.

General - Marmorino is created from pure slaked lime mixed together with tiny marble particles-hence the name.

Texture - While appearing to have a somewhat sandy texture marmorino is smooth to the touch and cool like stone. Although this is also a polished plaster the side sheen produced is of a soft satin reflection.

Colour and Technique - Since this is a pure lime plaster, pigmentation is available to only about 70% of black. Application technique creates quiet mottling and dotting, evoking the feeling of valued antiquity, solidity and silent durability.

Architectural treatments - Although originally used extensively on exteriors over civil plaster, today Marmorino is generally used as an interior wall and ceiling treatment. It performs well over all standard substrates. This mineral finish is suitable for all modern and historical applications. It is the neoclassical post post modern stucco treatment...




Montovano

Montovano is an unusually rare finish created through extensive historical and laboratory research by the Safra co. It was found primarily in the palazzi of Montova, formerly a wealthy city-state. This finish can be traced back to circa 1100AD and can imbue any surface with a sense of renaissance antiquity. This finish has unparalleled beauty and brings to mind all that embodies early Italian wealth power and culture.

General - Montovano is also a true plaster created of pure unfiltered slaked lime and marble dust.

Texture - Very smooth in general with matte and satin all the polished limes this product is highly reflective from an angle view and nearly non reflective from the front. The overall feel is smooth and cool like pitted polished marble.

Colour and Technique - Since this is a pure lime plaster, pigmentation is available to only about 70% of black. Application technique is more labour intensive than any of the other plasters with the result in appearance of a combined effect including blending, mottling, and dotting. The effect is warm and rich.

Architectural treatments - Montovano is generally designed as an interior wall and ceiling treatment. It performs well over all standard substrates.This mineral finish is suitable for exclusive commercial and residential luxury environments or areas requiring a natural finish.




Travertino

The look is as the name implies, a porous leveling plaster used to imitate the actual stone. Typical to the region of Tuscany.

General - 100% pure slaked unfiltered lime although not considered one of the Venetians. The stone and plaster are both used extensively throughout the world and is suitable for scraffito---an etched or scratched through finish developed by Italian artisans in Germany during the 16th century.

Texture - Travertino is matte in appearance and highly textured with lineal wounds despite burnishing. Smaller flecks add to the overall feeling of fine solid aggregate stone.

Colour and Technique - Since this is a pure lime plaster, pigmentation is available to only about 70% of black. It is most usual to hue the lime as the true stone would be, yet a wide variety of innovation is possible with other colors.

Architectural treatments - As a transpirant pure lime plaster Travertino is suitable for both interior and when used over the correct substrate, exterior application. Indeed it is normal to see both the stone and the plaster in both domains. It is suitable for both Luxury commercial and residiential applications and is not out of place in the public arena such as in large lobbies, libraries or office buildings.