The plasters you speak of are just like a thick paint. The cost is less per bucket but not per job. I went to Lowes sight and got the sq. ft. per gallon on all the recommended steps and came out to $2.25 per sq. ft. So in reality the true Italian plasters are less expensive to use, just more per bucket. Just finish a wall at a time. And follow the recommended application cycles of the products you are using.
Doyle

I know someone who uses FE veneciano and they now almost use Lowes exclusively since it is much cheper than Faux Effects.

I have tried Baldini personally, in fact, I have some in my studio... The only issue i have with it is that it seems almost as if it never completely dries, it has tons of veg oil in it.... I have never trusted using it on a wall just cuz of my concern with it being too soft.... I know ancient recipes had olive oil in their plasters but mostly cuz they were for exterior use, (or some had lindseed oils in it.... Nothing wrong with it....