Decorative finishes: the part of the name most painters cannot do
Fine finishes are a different trade from production painting. They are applied by hand, in layers, and the result depends entirely on the finisher's touch and how the light in your room falls across the surface. This is the work Gus built the company's reputation on, and it is why the sign says fine finishes.
- CSLB #976750
- Fully insured
- Owner-operated since 2006
Written into the scope, not assumed.
Every line below appears on your estimate. If something is not listed, ask. We would rather over-explain than surprise you.
Venetian plaster
Burnished lime plaster with real depth and a stone-like sheen, applied in multiple thin passes, troweled and polished by hand.
Limewash and mineral finishes
Soft, cloudy, matte surfaces with movement, beautiful on fireplaces, feature walls and exterior masonry.
Glazing and color washing
Translucent layers that add depth and age to flat walls, ceilings and millwork.
Distressed and antiqued wood
Mantels, beams, doors and built-ins finished to look lived-in rather than lacquered.
Metallics and specialty systems
Metallic, pearlescent and textured finishes for accent walls, niches, coffered ceilings and range hoods.
Sample boards, always
Every decorative job starts with a board finished in your material, viewed in your room, in your light. Nothing goes on a wall unseen.
Step by step, start to walkthrough.
Venetian plaster, limewash, glazed walls, distressed mantels, beams and specialty accent work for Central Coast homes.
- 01
Look at the room
Light source, adjacent finishes, ceiling height and sightlines all change what a finish will do.
- 02
Sample board
We produce one or more boards in your space so you approve the actual finish, not a photograph.
- 03
Written estimate
Square footage, material system, number of passes and sheen, itemized.
- 04
Substrate prep
Decorative finishes are unforgiving. The wall gets made flat and uniform first, or the finish will show every flaw.
- 05
Hand application
Layer by layer, wet edge maintained, worked corner to corner so there are no visible stops.
- 06
Seal and protect
Burnished, waxed or sealed as the system requires, then a walkthrough in daylight and in lamplight.
People who already had us out.
“Gus did a terrific job on painting my exterior trim and garage door. Beautiful quality work!”
“Piñon Painting has been a great company to work with: professional, communicative and genuinely easy to deal with from the estimate through the final walkthrough.”
“I called and they were able to come within the hour. Responsive when I needed someone quickly, and the work held up.”
About decorative finishes
What is Venetian plaster, exactly?
It is a lime-based plaster applied in several very thin coats and burnished with a steel trowel. The result has genuine depth. It shifts as you move past it and as the light changes, because you are looking into layers of material, not at a printed or rolled surface.
Can decorative finishes go over existing painted walls?
In most cases, with the right preparation. The substrate has to be flat, sound and uniformly primed first. On a wall with heavy texture or patching, that prep can be a meaningful part of the job, and we will say so up front.
How do I know I will like it before you start?
You approve a physical sample board finished in your material and viewed in your actual room. We do not start a decorative job off a photo or a color chip.
Are these finishes durable?
Yes, when specified correctly. Burnished Venetian plaster is a hard mineral surface and ages well. Sealers and waxes are chosen based on where the finish lives. A powder room and a high-traffic hallway get different protection.
Can you do decorative work outside?
Some systems, yes. Limewash and mineral coatings are made for exterior masonry and stucco and weather beautifully. Interior Venetian plaster systems are not exterior products, and we will not misuse them.
Get a written estimate for decorative finishes.
Tell us what you are working with. Gus will call to set up a walkthrough, usually the same or next business day.
Prefer to talk? (805) 234-0762
Mon–Fri 7am–6pm · Sat 8am–2pm
Decorative Finishes across the Five Cities and SLO County.
- Arroyo GrandeHome base. Same-day estimate visits are usually possible.
- Pismo BeachAbout 10 minutes from our Arroyo Grande shop.
- Grover BeachAbout 8 minutes from our Arroyo Grande shop.
- San Luis ObispoAbout 20 minutes up the 101 from Arroyo Grande.
- NipomoAbout 12 minutes south of our Arroyo Grande shop.
- Shell BeachAbout 12 minutes from our Arroyo Grande shop.
Other services
Interior Painting
Straight lines, even sheen, and prep that holds up long after the drop cloths come out.
What’s included
Exterior Painting
Coatings specified for salt air, coastal fog and Central Coast sun, with the prep to back them.
What’s included
Cabinet Painting & Refinishing
A new kitchen finish for a fraction of replacement. Sprayed, cured and built to take daily use.
What’s included
Power Washing
Salt film, chalking and mildew off: the step that decides whether the next coat sticks.
What’s included
Light Carpentry
Rotted trim, fascia and casing replaced before paint, because paint does not fix wood.
What’s included
Tell us about your project
Send a few details or call and talk to Gus directly. You will get a written, itemized estimate, and a straight answer about what your home actually needs.