Anyone ever done venetian plaster before? Advice?

[ProfJohn]

Getting ready to do my living room in a venetian plaster finish (gold) and am just wondering if anyone has done this before and if they have any suggestions?

Am also planning on doing the dining room in the same finish, but red.

And if I am really artsy I may do my foyer in a bi-color venetian plaster with red and gold so the space between the two rooms mimics the rooms. I have seen some bi-color looks and it looks really neat.

Advice or thoughts?

 

[jmagg]

Use short irregular strokes when applying, and a stainless steel trowel to burnish.
Whatever high spots you leave on the first coat, will show through on the finish.