Carleton Place and Almonte sit on the same stretch of the Mississippi River, yet their homes could hardly be more different. Carleton Place has become one of Ottawa’s fastest-growing commuter towns — new subdivisions filling in around a brick-and-stone Bridge Street core — while Almonte keeps its character as a former textile mill town, all limestone, Victorian gables and artisan storefronts. Both are a short drive down Highway 7 from our Ottawa studio, and both are asking for finishes that builder-grade paint can’t deliver.
Venetian plaster for new builds and century homes
In Carleton Place’s newer custom homes, venetian plaster turns a tall great-room wall or a gas-fireplace surround into the focal point the floor plan was drawn around. In Almonte’s older stone and brick homes, polished plaster is closer to a restoration than a trend — lime finishes are what these walls knew first. We hand-trowel every coat; nothing is rolled or sprayed.
Limewash that suits a mill-town main street
Limewash is the finish we’re asked for most often out here. Its soft, cloudy movement flatters uneven century plaster in Almonte and takes the flat, echoing hardness off big new drywall surfaces in Carleton Place. It’s breathable, mineral-based and VOC-free — a sensible choice for older solid-masonry walls that need to release moisture.
Microcement for kitchens, baths and basements
For bathrooms, shower surrounds, and basement retreats, microcement gives a seamless, waterproof surface with no grout lines — popular with homeowners finishing lower levels in the newer subdivisions, and a practical upgrade over tile in tight century-home bathrooms.
How it works from our Ottawa studio
We travel from our Ottawa studio at 2183 Carling Ave (inside the Alteriors showroom, visits by appointment) to projects across the region. Most quotes start with photos or a short video of your space — free, with no site visit needed. For larger Carleton Place and Almonte projects we come out for an on-site consultation and bring physical sample boards so you can judge colour and texture on your own walls, in your own light. Highway 7 puts most of Lanark County within 40 minutes of us.
Frequently asked questions
Do you charge extra to travel to Carleton Place or Almonte?
No. Both towns are inside our regular service area, about 35–45 minutes from our Carling Avenue studio. Quotes are free either way — most start from photos you text or email us.
Is limewash appropriate for an older stone or brick home in Almonte?
Yes — it’s arguably the most appropriate finish. Limewash is breathable, so it lets solid-masonry walls release moisture instead of trapping it the way modern acrylic paint can. It’s the same family of material these buildings were originally finished with.
What finish works best over new builder-grade drywall?
All three work over properly primed drywall. Limewash adds soft movement to large flat walls; venetian plaster suits a single statement wall or fireplace; microcement is the pick for wet areas. We’ll bring samples so you can compare them in your own light.
Ready to see samples in your own light? Call or text 613-255-1512 or email info@designerwallfinishes.com for a free quote on your Carleton Place or Almonte project. We reply the same day.