Don’t expect it to go away anytime soon: Many interior designers find that Venetian plaster—first developed in the 15th century—is resonating with people now more than ever.

As its name might imply, Venetian plaster can give accent walls a Mediterranean, old-world feel. It's a type of lime wash made by mixing limestone, marble dust, and occasionally a coloring agent.

A plaster backsplash in your kitchen might be your goal, but if you have existing tile that you don't want to remove, can plaster over it? Here's what we know.

Venetian plaster. Photo via Kamp Studios. Bright uses mostly a gypsum-based plaster and tints the water to achieve the distinct quaintness that his interior design projects are known for. Close.

In the entryway, they used bright white Venetian plaster to create a fluted texture on the walls. “It kind of looks like corduroy made from snow,” he says. (That treatment, ...