In Denmark where I grew up, lime as well as clay plasters were used on interiors and exteriors, with location and architectural style being the main deciding factors for what type of finish was used where. As far as the look and feel goes, most most of the older structures stayed with the original finishes, and lot of new construction was influenced from trends in other countries, as architects and craftsmen traveled and worked in other countries and brought home new ideas.
Through my plastering company Hansen Handcrafted Finishes, I have brought traditional European plaster concepts and textural styles to many homes here in the United States, and as trends in the plaster industry come and go here, we draw on our extensive experience with the materials to set the new trends and restore the old. Also with our passion for preserving the old, we have developed a special technique to imitate old whitewashed brick, as to make new walls blend in with old.
Historical restoration is something we have an enormous amount of respect for, not only are we part of making sure that the generations to come can see how structures looked and were built, but we are also paying respect to the people who built and restored them before us, by being part of guiding the process towards using the appropriate materials so that the structure stays healthy and breathable, and of course beautiful.
Collectively our crew has performed restoration work on Libraries, museums, powerhouses, jails, castles, city halls, manors, post offices, adobe houses, farm houses, Victorians, manors and cathedrals in the United States and Europe.

Lars Hansen
Founder and president of Hansen Handcrafted Finishes