HISTORY & ORIGINS

HISTORY & ORIGINS

Lime paint dates back to Ancient Roman times (the Ancient Romans certainly love their lime-based products, click here to read more about the other lime-based product that was popular then, Venetian plaster), and it gives off earthy, days-of-the-past vibes. In fact, you’ve probably come across super aesthetic pictures of limewash walls on Instagram or Pinterest, whether or not you realise it. Reminiscent of old buildings that have a thousand stories to tell, lime paint is made of crushed and burned limestone, and mixed with water to form lime putty. The lime putty is then aged and diluted with water, and coloured with natural pigments. In other words, lime paint is a natural, mineral paint, used for centuries and touted as one of the “original house paints”, if not the one.

Fun fact: With its history, lime paint is used to create some of the most famous Frescos in Italy.

Lime paint has unique properties, where it creates subtle movement and natural colour variation i.e. it can transform even the most flat and boring drywall into a masterpiece of art.

TEXTURE & FINISH

Lime paint has a chalky feel, almost suede-like, when applied on its own without a top coat (such as wax or mineral sealants). Essentially, lime paint is a thin paint, almost like watercolour, and therefore needs to be applied for a minimum of two to three coats. As it’s thin, the brushstrokes from the previous coatings are shown through, and the coats layer up on top of each other, producing a beautiful, mottled effect that lends depth and texture to the wall, and subsequently, the space. Most lime paint finishes are matte and have an earthy quality, giving it a natural, authentic feel, which complement both classic and modern settings. Lending luminosity and depth to flat walls, lime paint’s effects and movements are less obvious with lighter shades, and more obvious with darker tones. Lime paint can be applied using roller, brush or sponge depending on the results you like.

BENEFITS

Not just aesthetically pleasing, this decorative paint has plenty of benefits to go along with it as well. It’s non-toxic and environmentally friendly, natural and solvent-free. Lime paint is also breathable and naturally bacteria-resistant, so it can help prevent mould and mildew growth. It absorbs moisture, CO2, and removes odours, therefore improving the air quality indoors. Thanks to its natural properties, the quality of lime paint also improves with time, and you’ll have a beautiful, decorative wall you just can’t get enough of. Once you protect it with a top coat to make it dirt- and dust-resistant, there’s practically nothing left to do in terms of maintenance.