Give Your Walls Some Luster

I recently used a product called Lusterstone in a bathroom remodel. It was my first time to use the product, so I was a bit unsure of myself, but I was incredibly pleased with the results.

The walls look like they have texture and movement, but they’re actually very smooth to the touch. They also have a beautiful sheen to them–not incredibly shiny.

Since the completion of the bathroom, I’ve had many people ask me about the wall treatment, so I thought today, I’d give a little “how to”. Now please understand that this is my own technique, and not the “official” instructions from the company. I think each person who uses Lusterstone puts their own unique spin on it. But this is how I did it:

1. Paint the wall with a coat of paint that matches the color of Lusterstone that you’ve selected. I used Behr paint in an eggshell finish.

2. Using an Italian trowel (see picture below), begin applying the Lusterstone in medium strokes (about 12 inches long). Do not apply thick layers. You should still be able to see the paint layer in some places. Let the plaster dry completely, and sand with a fine grit sandpaper to remove any ridges. Repeat this process one or two more times. (The more layers, the better.)

3. Using a mixture of Lusterstone and water (about 30% water), apply an incredibly thin coat using the Italian trowel. Be certain to not leave any ridges. Let dry completely. Repeat at least one more time with a watered down Lusterstone coat. This can be repeated until you’ve reached the desired effect, and again, the more coats, the better it will look. These super thin, watered down layers are what will give your walls that gorgeous “luster”.

To purchase this product, simply Google Lusterstone, and you’ll find numerous resourses. It should cost between $75 and $99 per gallon, depending on the color you select. I would also suggest using a really good Italian trowel. A trowel like this should cost about $35 to $40, but it will be well worth the cost.

To see more pictures of this bathroom project, click here. You can also search Google images for Lusterstone to find many more examples of this wall treatment.