Older homes and buildings should be finished using the materials that are proper for that era, this is because older buildings need to breath and allow moisture and damp to escape.
Modern materials like tanking, sand and cement and gypsum will trap this damp and damage the very fabric of the building, these modern materials will often fail and will need complete removal far sooner than if the proper materials were used originally.

Lime plaster allows for this movement of moisture through the building creating not only a functioning environment but aesthetically beautiful spaces.

Lime Renovations always puts the health, longevity and prosperity of the building first and foremost, with detailed analysis of the problems and solutions required. 

Like plastering with lime older and historic buildings should be pointed using lime aswell. Pointing is used to fill in the gaps between stones or brick used in the construction of the building creating a finished wall where the water will run off the face. 
It is important to remember water will always find the path of least resistance and so it is vital that the pointing is weaker than its substrate. This is often not the case when using a cement based mortar with soft stone like cotswold stone and the water will run through the stone instead of the mortar. As water freezes and thaws over time this will lead to the stone falling apart and the very fabric of the building will be damaged.