Specialist
Decorative Finishes Edinburgh
Borthwick Decorators deliver specialist decorative finishes for heritage properties, luxury homes and contemporary interiors across Edinburgh and Scotland.
Venetian plastering, polished plaster, microcement, limewash, gilding and specialist graining — each applied by experienced craftsmen using traditional materials and refined technique.
Based in Edinburgh since 1959, our
specialist decorative work spans residential and commercial properties from Georgian townhouses in the New Town to contemporary hospitality spaces across the city centre.
Our Specialist Decorative Finishes
We offer a comprehensive range of specialist decorative finishes, each requiring distinct materials, preparation and application techniques:
- Venetian Plastering — traditional lime-based plasters creating marble-effect finishes with depth and movement. View our Edinburgh Venetian plastering services →
- Lime Plastering — breathable, flexible finishes for period properties and listed buildings. View our Edinburgh lime plastering services →
- Polished Plaster — burnished lime finishes achieving smooth, reflective surfaces
- Microcement — seamless coatings for floors, walls and wet areas
- Limewash — mineral-based wash creating soft, mottled surfaces with characteristic depth
- Stucco Veneziano — the traditional Italian formula producing high-sheen decorative surfaces
Rather than offering predefined packages, we work closely with clients, architects and designers to specify and deliver finishes appropriate to the character, materials and intent of the space.
Venetian Plastering Edinburgh
Venetian plastering is a traditional craft using natural lime-based plasters to create finishes with depth, movement and a distinctive tactile quality. Applied in fine layers and worked by hand,
Venetian plaster can be tailored to suit a wide range of Edinburgh interiors — from softly textured, understated surfaces to highly polished finishes that echo natural stone or marble.
Edinburgh's period properties are particularly well suited to Venetian plaster. Georgian proportions, high ceilings and architectural detail in the New Town, Stockbridge and Morningside provide the ideal backdrop for these finishes.
Contemporary spaces in Leith and the city centre benefit equally from the texture and warmth that polished plaster brings.
These finishes are particularly well suited to:
- Feature walls and statement spaces
- Stairwells, halls and reception areas
- Period interiors requiring breathable, lime-based materials
- Contemporary interiors seeking texture and refinement
- Commercial and hospitality environments
For dedicated information on our Edinburgh Venetian plastering services, visit our
Venetian Plastering Edinburgh page →
Lime Plastering Edinburgh
Lime plaster is the historically correct finish for Edinburgh's stone-built properties. Breathable, flexible and compatible with traditional masonry, lime has been the standard internal and external finish for Scottish buildings for centuries.
Edinburgh's Georgian and Victorian building stock — from the New Town terraces to the tenements of Marchmont, Bruntsfield and Morningside — was built with lime-based materials throughout.
Replacing these finishes with modern gypsum traps moisture and accelerates decay.
Lime works with the structure, not against it.
Our lime plastering services cover interior lime plaster, exterior lime render, restoration and repair, and listed building work specified to meet Historic Environment Scotland guidance.
For dedicated information on our Edinburgh lime plastering services,
visit our Lime Plastering Edinburgh page →
Polished Plaster
Polished plaster encompasses a range of lime-based finishes that are burnished or polished to achieve a smooth, reflective surface. The result can range from a soft, matte sheen to a high-gloss finish that convincingly replicates marble or natural stone.
These finishes are particularly valued in contemporary interiors where a clean, seamless surface is desired — bathrooms, spa environments, open-plan living spaces and hospitality settings all benefit from the material's resistance to moisture and its refined appearance.
As with Venetian plastering, polished plaster is applied in multiple layers and worked by hand, allowing the finish to develop the depth and variation that sets it apart from synthetic alternatives.
In Edinburgh, polished plaster is increasingly specified for both period interiors — where its lime-based composition makes it sympathetic to original materials — and contemporary spaces across Leith, the Quartermile and the city centre.
Limewash Edinburgh
Limewash is one of the oldest decorative finishes in existence — a mineral-based wash applied in diluted layers to create a soft, mottled surface with characteristic depth and variation.
The finish breathes naturally, making it especially well suited to period and heritage properties where lime-compatible materials are essential.
Modern limewash is also widely used in contemporary interiors seeking texture and an organic, understated quality that paint alone cannot achieve.
Each coat is translucent, allowing previous layers to show through and building the characteristic soft movement that defines the finish.
Borthwick's experience with traditional lime-based materials means limewash is always applied with the correct preparation and dilution — the details that determine whether
the finish performs and ages as it should.
Microcement and Contemporary Finishes
Microcement is a thin, seamless coating applied over existing surfaces to create a smooth, contemporary finish without the need for major structural work.
Its versatility makes it one of the most widely specified specialist finishes in modern interior design.
Applied in fine layers and sealed on completion, microcement can be used on floors, walls, worktops and wet areas including showers and bathrooms.
The finish is durable, low maintenance and available in a wide range of colours and textures — from rough, industrial surfaces to fine, polished effects.
Edinburgh's growing contemporary property market — from warehouse conversions in Leith to new-build apartments across the city — increasingly specifies microcement for its clean aesthetic and practical durability.
Gilding
Gilding is the application of fine metal leaf — gold, silver, copper or dutch metal — to architectural features, furniture, mirrors, mouldings and decorative objects.
The result is a genuine reflective brilliance that paint effects cannot replicate.
We work with both oil gilding and water gilding techniques, selecting the appropriate method to suit the substrate, setting and intended finish.
Oil gilding is well suited to architectural work and exterior applications; water gilding, the more refined of the two, is reserved for high-quality interior work where burnishing to a deep, warm lustre is required.
Gilding is delivered as part of comprehensive interior schemes or as a standalone commission for specific features within a space.
Graining
Graining — or wood graining — is the art of using paint and specialist tools to reproduce the appearance of timber on surfaces that are not wood.
Applied in fine layers of tinted glaze and worked with combs, rockers and brushes, a skilled grainer can convincingly replicate mahogany, walnut, oak, satinwood and other timbers.
The technique has a long history in British heritage interiors, where it was widely used to elevate joinery, doors, skirtings and panelling beyond what the underlying timber warranted.
Today it remains relevant both in conservation work — matching existing grained surfaces — and in contemporary interiors where the warmth of timber is desired without the cost or weight of solid wood.
Borthwick's craftsmen have the training and patience that graining demands. It is not a finish that can be rushed, and the quality of the result is immediately apparent to anyone familiar with the craft.
Specialist Decorative Effects
Depending on the scope and character of a project, our specialist decorative work may also include:
- Stucco and marmorino plaster finishes
- Aged, antiqued and distressed surface effects
- Specialist paint finishes: rag rolling, stippling, colour washing
- Bespoke decorative panelling and surface detailing
- Conservation and restoration of existing specialist finishes
Rather than offering predefined packages, we work closely with clients, architects and designers to specify and deliver finishes appropriate to the character, materials and intent of the space.
Decorative Finishes for Edinburgh Period Properties
Edinburgh's architectural heritage presents both opportunity and responsibility for specialist decorators.
Georgian townhouses in the New Town, Victorian villas in Morningside and The Grange, and tenement properties across Marchmont, Bruntsfield and Stockbridge all benefit from decorative finishes that respect the building's character.
Lime-based finishes — including Venetian plaster, limewash and traditional lime render — are not only aesthetically appropriate for period interiors but functionally essential. These materials breathe, managing moisture rather than trapping it behind sealed surfaces.
For listed buildings, our experience with conservation officers and Historic Environment Scotland guidelines means we can specify and deliver finishes that meet heritage requirements without compromising on quality or design intent.
Our accreditations — including CHAS, SMAS and SafeContractor — reflect our commitment to working safely and professionally within sensitive heritage environments.
Commercial Decorative Plastering in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's hospitality, commercial and retail sectors increasingly specify specialist decorative finishes for hotels, restaurants, bars, offices and reception areas.
Venetian plaster and polished plaster create an immediate impression of quality that standard paint cannot achieve.
Borthwick Decorators hold CHAS and SafeContractor accreditations, giving us access to commercial sites where sole traders and unaccredited contractors cannot operate.
For Edinburgh businesses and property managers requiring specialist finishes with full health and safety compliance, we are an established and credible option.
Our commercial decorative work in Edinburgh covers city centre hospitality venues, office refurbishments across the Lothians, and retail environments where surface quality directly influences customer experience.
Common Questions About Specialist Finishes
If you're considering a specialist decorative finish for the first time, the following questions are ones we hear regularly. For project specific advice, we're always happy to discuss your requirements directly.
What decorative finishes do you offer in Edinburgh?
We offer Venetian plastering, polished plaster, microcement, limewash, gilding, graining and a range of specialist paint effects. Each finish is applied by experienced craftsmen using appropriate materials and techniques. We can advise on the most suitable finish for your property and the effect you want to achieve.
Is Venetian plastering suitable for older Edinburgh properties?
Yes — and in many cases it is the ideal choice. Venetian plaster is lime-based, which means it breathes in the same way as the original materials used in Edinburgh's Georgian and Victorian properties.
For period interiors with high ceilings and architectural detail, Venetian plaster creates a finish that complements the building rather than fighting against it.
How much does Venetian plastering cost?
As a guide, expect to pay more per square metre than for standard paint — the cost reflects multiple coats, hand application and the time required to develop the finish correctly.
We provide project-specific quotes after understanding the space, the finish required and any preparatory work needed. There is no standard rate that applies across all projects, and we would be cautious of any contractor quoting without a site assessment.
What is the difference between Venetian plaster and polished plaster?
These terms are often used interchangeably but refer to slightly different traditions. Venetian plaster (stucco veneziano) is a specific Italian tradition using fine lime-based plasters applied and burnished to create characteristic depth and movement.
Polished plaster is a broader term covering several burnished lime finishes, including marmorino and other variants. Both achieve smooth, reflective surfaces — the distinction matters most when specifying a heritage-accurate finish for a period interior.
How long does microcement take to apply?
A microcement installation typically requires several visits across a few days to allow each layer to cure correctly before the next is applied.
Rushing the process compromises the finish and the durability of the surface — adequate cure time between coats is not optional. We will always advise on realistic timescales during the quoting stage.
Can specialist finishes be applied to existing walls?
In many cases, yes — but preparation is critical. The existing surface must be sound, clean and appropriate for the chosen finish.
Some finishes, such as microcement, are specifically designed to go over existing substrates.
Others, particularly traditional lime-based finishes, may require more extensive preparation or a base coat to achieve the right result.
We always assess the existing surface as part of the project discussion.
How much do specialist decorative finishes cost?
Specialist finishes cost more per square metre than standard paint or wallpaper. The cost reflects specialist materials, multiple coats, hand application and the time required to achieve the correct result.
We provide project-specific quotes after assessing the property — the finish type, surface condition, access and scope all affect the final cost.
Do you work on commercial properties in Edinburgh?
Yes. Our CHAS and SafeContractor accreditations mean we can operate on commercial sites with full health and safety compliance.
We work with hotels, restaurants, offices, retail environments and property managers across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Do you cover areas outside Edinburgh?
Yes. We deliver specialist finishes across Scotland — including Glasgow, Perth, Fife, Stirling and Dundee — and in London.
For projects outside our core coverage areas, please contact us to discuss.
Still have a question?
Why Edinburgh Property Owners Choose Borthwick
Established in
1959, Borthwick Decorators have built a reputation for quality, discretion and technical expertise across both traditional and specialist finishes.
Our approach to specialist decorative work is defined by:
Established Since 1959
Family run since 1959, Borthwick Decorators bring decades of experience in traditional materials, specialist finishes and heritage-led craftsmanship. Our knowledge has been built over generations, not trends.
Specialist Decorative Expertise
Our specialist finishes are delivered by experienced craftsmen with a deep understanding of Venetian plastering, lime-based materials and bespoke decorative techniques.
Quality Without Compromise
Specialist finishes demand patience, precision and consistency. Every project is carefully prepared and executed to ensure a finish that is durable, balanced and appropriate to the space.
Trusted & Discreet
We are accustomed to working within high-value and sensitive environments, delivering specialist decorative work with professionalism, discretion and respect for the property.
Where We Deliver Specialist Finishes
Our specialist decorative finishes are delivered across Scotland and England for projects where craftsmanship and finish quality are paramount.
Scotland:
- Edinburgh — our home base. New Town, Morningside, Marchmont, Stockbridge, Bruntsfield, Leith and all Edinburgh neighbourhoods
- Glasgow — West End, Southside, Merchant City, Bearsden, Newton Mearns. Venetian Plastering Glasgow →
- Perth, Fife, Stirling, Dundee and surrounding areas
London:
- Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair, Belgravia, Notting Hill and wider Greater London
- Venetian Plastering London →
- Lime Plastering London →
This work is undertaken selectively, ensuring each project receives the time, expertise and undivided attention required to achieve the right result.
Discuss a Specialist Finish Project
If you are considering Venetian plastering or a specialist decorative finish for your property,
we welcome the opportunity to discuss your project.
Our team can advise on suitable finishes, materials and approaches to achieve a result that is both considered and enduring.
Fife
Stirling
Dundee
BORTHWICK DECORATORS LTD
Established 1959 — Specialist Painters & Decorators
Edinburgh, EH2 3ES
London, WC2N 4JS
Glasgow, G3 7QL
Crieff, PH7 4AX