Thanks folks! If you like my somewhat offbeat sense of humor, you should check out the link to my "moving-in diary" that I have in that post too. Those events were actually much more traumatic (and thus fodder for humor) than the venetian plaster fiasco.

Did you finish the wall with paste wax (standard finish over VP)? Or perhaps shellac? If you did either, you're going to need to sand quite a bit to remove all of the finish, since VP tends to have high and low points (that's why we like it right?) :o) After you sand it throughly away, I'd use a better primer, like Sherwin williams Seals and Bonds (for shiny surfaces) just in case. If you didn't use a final coat and just burnished, it shouldn't need any more than primer (especially the latex stuff)...No matter what I'd step up a level on that primer. The SW stuff will be a better base no matter what they do. The worst case scenario is that if this does not work (and it should but if the wax is thick it's a bigger problem) they can do an all over skim coat of plaster (just regular stuff you use for drywall) over the top and start over. (then prime then paint).

LOL the only thing I dream of any more is this danged remodel job! Beleni (which I'm sure to be spelling wrong) is a drink that is everywhere in Italy, but particularly a specialty in Venice, of champagne and fresh peach necture. Drink one or five :) while you're there for me. DO NOT drink them in St Marks square! My friend and I had 3, which came with free chips, and would have sat in the sun and drank them all day until I realized that the three drinks I'd had cost as much as our hotel room for a night! (over $150 US) Yes for three drinks and some chips :oP Go one block off the square and order one, which will cost about $5 bucks verses $50 (and that is not an exageration) I love my chicken, but I do have a rather large collection of venetian glassware from the late 1800's that is the focus of my dining room. Some day I'll go ahead and pick up a venetian chandelier, preferably in person in Venice :) As soon as the little guy can travel out of the country we're ready for a trip (his doctors want him to be stronger before we leave the US). There's a lovely harbor across the way in Venice we plan on mooring in :) Mind you, I don't know where I will put the chandelier in the boat, but heck, a girl could have worse problems to reason through couldn't she? You are going to have such a good time! Do look at the glassware. A couple souvenier glasses can be shipped home pronto :) and every time you have wine in them you'll remember Venice fondly! Don't buy a size 36 shirt in Milan...it's actually about a size 0 and your boo...ummmmm tata's will hang out in a very dramatic fashion (just a little tip from one who's been there heh heh)

LOL ok i'm finally recovered from the weekend, which ended up being a total of three parties...sheesh we're too social. And the 500 was at our business office heh heh I think we'd have to stack them in our kitchen if we tried for that many. OK Venetian plaster 101 Iggy style....First, it's ok to be used as a kitchen surface, but I highly recommend that you do a final two coats of paste wax (this will allow you to be able to wash the walls easily...I'd actually like to see the commercial quality wax used, verses standard paste wax, but that's up to you). Ok, so for use of real (made with marble dust) venetian plaster, yes it's a great surface for kitchens. It's relatively easy to apply, but I'd suggest you practice on some spare drywalll to get your technique down. On the artsparx website there are great instructions, and be sure to invest in a couple of good plaster knifes. I don't like the larger ones myself, but instead prefer about a six inch flexible with rounded edges. Apply the plaster slowly and with great care to get a really thin later on A good first plaster layer will show lots of wall board. You should be on coat 3 before you don't see white anymore if you're doing it right. Burnish and sand between layers (after totally dry) if you end up with any bubbles or cracks (this is what happens if you have an area that gets too thick). It takes some time to finish a VP room, but when finished you won't regret the time spent. The walls will feel like silk, and you'll constantly see guests petting them (they do in my powder room all the time). You could go one step further and do a marmarmino finish if your walls are going to be close to any moisture areas (ie not protected with a backsplash in water areas). Marmarino is suitable for bathrooms and kitchens. The difference between it and VP is only that it has lime in the mixture, which repels future mold growth. It's overkill in most kitchens, but worth mentioning. I personally was using just VP in my kitchen and saving the marmarino for the bathrooms. Now onto Valspar and similar products. They're made with sillica, not marble or lime. Frankly after using the real stuff, I'd never use fake VP again. The finish is not as nice, very dull, no luster, and it's hard to apply. It gets dry on you in seconds (this is really hard to deal with when plastering). I practiced with it twice and hate it, really just hate it. Applying real VP is a moderate skill, applying that crap is an advanced skill. There are a few folks who sell VP, but I do like both the price, and the quality of the stuff on artsparx. They shipped mine up on a pallet (I was doing a whole house) and were very accomidating given my difficult location. A year later and it's still in great condition (meaning it hasn't dried up in the can which your other products will often do). Their custom color mixes are great (they'll match anything, or you can order a wheel and pick your own). And the price is quite reasonable. Don't underestimate the work involved. You need to commit to doing layers and layers of plaster, applied by hand (you get good muscles heh heh) and then sand, burnish and check every inch between coats for a quality finish. But it's not brain surgery. Slow, thin and patient and you'll have a gorgeous wall.