From Traditional Plastering to Grand Designs: The Lime & Marble Story

Lime & Marble is a family-run specialist surface finishes company based in Chichester, West Sussex. Founded by Craig Robbins in 2015, the business has grown from its roots in traditional plastering into a skilled team creating Venetian plaster, microcement and other bespoke finishes for floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchens, living spaces and commercial interiors.

Today, Lime & Marble works on design-led residential and commercial projects, collaborating with interior designers, architects, builders and private clients to turn ideas into carefully crafted surfaces.

But the Lime & Marble story began much more simply.

Where It All Began

Creativity has always been part of Craig’s life.

Growing up, he was particularly influenced by his grandad, who was incredibly artistic and had a love for woodwork. Watching something take shape by hand left a lasting impression on Craig and helped form the appreciation for craftsmanship that would later become central to Lime & Marble.

Craig began his career as a traditional plasterer and, in 2015, established Lime & Marble, initially working independently on plastering and rendering projects.

Before long, however, his interest began to move beyond traditional finishes.

Discovering Decorative Plaster

After coming across a Venetian plastering course with Stucco & Stucco in Yorkshire, Craig decided to explore the possibilities of decorative plaster.

That first step opened the door to an entirely different approach to surface design.

What followed was countless hours of experimentation and perfecting his techniques.

Craig began producing samples, testing materials, practising different application techniques and learning how subtle changes in movement, texture, colour and finish could completely transform a surface.

Much of this early development happened quite literally in his garden shed.

It became a space to experiment without restriction: trying things, refining techniques and developing the level of quality and craftsmanship that would eventually become synonymous with Lime & Marble.

That willingness to experiment still plays an important role in the business today. Decorative surfaces are rarely about selecting something straight from a catalogue. Every material, setting and design brief is different, and understanding how a finish behaves and interacts visually with its surroundings is just as important as knowing how to apply it.

The Project That Changed Everything

A major turning point came in 2020.

Craig was invited to work on an ambitious residential project that was being filmed for Channel 4’s Grand Designs. The property would later feature on the programme as The Watershed.

The project became an important milestone.

It helped move Lime & Marble further into the worlds of high-end interiors, architecture and design, while giving Craig the opportunity to apply the craftsmanship he had spent years developing on a much larger stage.

Demand began to grow.

From One Craftsman to a Specialist Team

As demand increased and projects grew larger, it became clear that Lime & Marble could no longer remain a one-man operation.

Craig took on the company’s first apprentice, Owen, beginning the transition towards the specialist team Lime & Marble is today.

The scale of the work continued to increase. Eventually, the company received a purchase order for a project worth over £100,000, while several other significant projects were also under way.

This marked another important point in the business’s development.

Craig’s brother-in-law, Daniel, joined Lime & Marble, expanding the team’s capacity and allowing the company to take on increasingly complex installations while maintaining the hands-on approach on which it had been built.

What had started with traditional plastering and rendering – followed by years of experimenting with decorative finishes in a garden shed – had grown into something much bigger.

“The scale of the projects may have changed, but the way we approach them hasn’t. It’s that same ambition, care and commitment to doing things properly that has taken Lime & Marble from the shed to where we are today.”

Specialist Finishes for Design-Led Interiors

Today, Lime & Marble specialises in decorative and specialist surface finishes, including Venetian polished plaster and microcement.

Although the projects have changed significantly since 2015, the approach behind them has not.

Craftsmanship, quality materials and thoughtful design sit at the centre of every project.

For interior designers and architects, this means working with a team that understands that the surface finish is part of the wider design rather than an isolated product. Colour, texture, light, surrounding materials and architectural details can all influence the final result.

For homeowners, it means having the opportunity to create something individual to their home rather than choosing from a limited collection of standard finishes.

And for commercial projects, it means being able to develop surfaces that respond both to the creative concept and to the practical requirements of the space.

Craftsmanship Is Still at the Heart of Lime & Marble

A lot has changed since Craig started Lime & Marble.

The garden shed has been replaced by a specialist team and a showroom in Chichester.

But the principle behind the company remains remarkably close to where it began:

We still have a genuine love of creating beautiful things by hand.

That passion for craftsmanship is what took Lime & Marble beyond traditional plastering in the first place – and it continues to shape every project we take on today.

Work With Lime & Marble

P: Whether you are an interior designer developing a material palette, an architect exploring specialist finishes, a homeowner planning a bespoke interior or a commercial client looking for something distinctive, we are always happy to discuss ideas at an early stage.

Our Chichester showroom provides an opportunity to see and feel our finishes in person, explore colours and textures, and discuss ideas with the team. Video appointments are also available for those further afield.