Firmolux plaster has the product you need.

Looks like Venetian plaster to me too.

The second image has a 2” backsplash made of counter material that protects thousands of dollars in cabinetry. If you’re looking for an example, follow that one!

@Zalco/bring back Sophie! yes, I think it is Venetian plaster too. I am curious about the shiny coating that's applied to the plaster. In the first photo, the two feet above the counter has a shiny protective coating. And in the second photo, the shiny coating goes up behind the range. Do you know what that is? Could it just be polyacrylic?

@eam44 LOL, yes, I definitely plan to protect the cabinetry with a small backsplash behind the countertops. I am mainly interested in this idea behind the range, like in the second photo. Do you know what kind of protective finish that could be on top of the plaster?

@User thank you! I'll check them out!

I just found an answer from Jersey Ice Cream Co. in the Los Angeles Times: "Tara Mangini, one half of the influential design firm Jersey Ice Cream Co., says she particularly likes the weathered look of textured plaster. 'It’s an unconventional solution, but sometimes everything else feels too contemporary,' she explained. 'When we use plaster, we apply a water-based polyurethane as a layer of protection.'"

Plaster gets burnished as it’s applied. The more burnishing, the more sheen. Polyurethane will only yellow that and dull it down. And eventually peel.

@User thank you. I will look into the burnishing process. I just did some more research on Jersey Ice Cream co, and they say they mostly do gypsum plaster. Do you have any experience with that?

It ain’t Venetian Plaster, which is what you’re after. VP has marble dust in it, so it has a translucence. It’s also why it polishes up as it’s applied. The two are not at all comparable in looks.

It’s the difference between the fake marble stones and real marble. The difference is stark when you have an eye, or when someone who doesn’t have an eye sees them side by side. It shows through in photos as well.

My eye is not good enough to see the difference in the pictures. I have been in a bathroom, all done in Venetian plaster and it was breathtaking. I would not entertain any kind of coating, though.

I found this article about plaster walls, including using Venetian plaster and something similar for shower walls. The bathroom I saw had a curbless shower made of Venetian plaster, so you know it's waterproof and cleanable.

https://www.remodelista.com/posts/modern-plaster-walls-clay-plaster-slaked-lime-plaster-venetian-plaster-and-more/

Try tadelakt plaster. It’s also waterproof if done right.

@wolfgang80 - tadelakt sounds very promising based on the article @Zalco/bring back Sophie! posted. Waterproof is great-- do you know how it might fare with oil splatters from the cooktop?

Sorry, I don't know anything about Venetian plaster and oil splatter.

If you are going with a slide in range, be sure whatever you do can withstand the heat.

Good point @jhmarie!

I’m sorry I don’t know that. I would only be guessing.

We couldn’t find someone that had heard of tadelakt let alone knew how to do it right and we didn’t trust ourselves to learn it on the job, so we didn’t use it. I’ve seen it in kitchens though.

Many slide in ranges recommend a stainless heat shield. You could do that along with the plaster.

I love Venetian plaster it has deep sheen that is very beautiful but I probably would not do it in a kitchen.

@swimmingwithfishesDo you mind sharing what type of finish you decided to use? Did you design your own kitchen or have a kitchen designer?

@swimmingwithfishesthanks for replying. I would love to see pictures.

I would love to see pictures of your plaster kitchen backsplash.