Colors are the canvases of the house. A blend of history is transcending towards modernity in the spotlight to get a look of minimalist texture. The earthy look of lime wash gives the walls a fuss-free appearance. If you are looking to spruce up the foyer, bedroom, or focal wall, limewash should be option A. With strokes of brushes, you can make the wall striking. The chalky, nuanced texture will bring history to the walls of your home, creating a cozy atmosphere.
What is limewash?
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It's a practice of 10,000 years old or more to color the houses in Roman and Mediterranean houses. This practice is old, but it can make a bold statement on the walls. Limewash is simply a mixture of lime, water, and color pigments of your choice.
When limestone is simply mixed with water, we get slaked lime. To get the best-slaked lime, you need to stir with a spade. This process takes a lot of time and water, so if you wait a few days by regularly stirring and checking the water, you will get the best-slaked lime. The color of the slaked lime is generally white, but for the desired color, you have to mix natural color pigments.
For the preparation of slaked lime, protective measures should be taken, from full-sleeved clothing and gloves to glasses for the eyes and masks for the mouth and nose if required.
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What is the difference between lime paint and lime putty?
When limestone is simply mixed with water, we get slaked lime.
- This thick paste of slaked lime can be applied directly to the wall as putty, which is called lime putty.
- More water and color pigments are added to get a liquid-like paint, which is called lime wash or lime paint.
However, today, more mechanically processed lime paint and putty are available to bring lime into more practice in design.
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How do I limewash?
- ‘The paintbrush is used to paint the limewash on the wall, but the movement of the brush makes the difference in texture and appearance. The movement of the paintbrush will affect the texture of the lime wash; it may be long, sweeping strokes or rapid swirls for a more hand-plastered effect.
- It can also be used on wood to achieve the same natural look and textured feel.
- Limewash can look very different when it’s wet and when it’s dry, so a few patch tests should be done before making decisions.
- You can use two shades of the same neutral color. The first coat with rough rolling should leave some white spaces visible, and the second coat with a lighter shade should be applied to justify the primary coat and desired appearance. You can use brush strokes or textured cotton cloth to apply the second coat to make it look hand-finished.
- A wax seal to the finish can be applied to make it stain-cleanable.
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Why limewash?
- The paints are naturally anti-bacterial as they do not contain any biocides or preservatives.
- As per some designers, lime plaster acts as a thermal insulator, which keeps your house cool in summer and a little warm in winter.
- Limewash paint contains no VOC, so its application is odorless.