Hand troweled Italian plasters have a depth and richness that is beyond what a mere photo can capture. Italian Ottocento Antico Velluto which is shown here is loaded with crushed mother of pearl in a true lime base. Application methods are varied but it is most commonly applied with a steel trowel. This is a stellar finish that works in many settings.
Here is an example that shows the trowel working on the wall to create this beautiful finish. It takes some work to complete, but it’s well worth the final product.