Instead of attempting to do it myself, I collaborated with Vasari and they taught me SO much about limewash paint including six surprising things that blew my mind.

But first, let’s take a look at the before and after photos of my home.

Related: Limewash vs Whitewash – Which Technique Is Better For My Brick Home?

Before

The wall colours of my home have been the same since my husband and I moved in six years ago. It’s a basic white with a slight grey undertone. Nothing special.

While I do love the simplicity of it, we live in an apartment with green-tinted glass windows (which we can’t change unfortunately) and the tint from the windows can make the walls look a little cold and sterile.

After

I chose Vasari Lime Paint in Linen White (LP20) for the living area.

Despite the ‘white’ in its name, this colour is NOT white. It’s a subtle beige colour with a neutral undertone. Not too bright and not too dark.

This colour does make my living area look smaller, but it also changes the whole mood of the space. The living area definitely looks more cozy, warm, and inviting now.

Before

After

If you’re wondering why one wall (and the ceiling!) is not painted, well… it was an honest mistake. I simply forgot to include the wall when the Vasari team came and took measurements.

I’m not fussed about them though since not every wall in our open concept apartment is covered in lime paint.

It feels like an intentional design decision, even though it truly wasn’t!

Before

After

The dining room went through the biggest transformation and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome!

Since the living and dining area share the same space, I used the same Linen White (LP20) paint for the dining area to make everything look cohesive.

The previous look was bright and airy, which felt very tropical. But once the Vasari team painted the walls, I instantly knew I wanted a moody dining room.

It took me over a year to find (and purchase!) the right furniture and artwork, but it was definitely worth the wait.

I’m in love with my dining area, it might just be my new favourite room in the entire home!

For the large blank wall facing the dining area, I chose the Vasari Lime Paint in Almond (LP25), a darker and deeper shade with a warm undertone.

I’ve always saved this wall for a gallery wall, so I felt it needed a warmer and bolder colour to make the frames pop.

Before

After

I wanted something completely different for my bedroom, so I went with the Vasari Lime Paint in Olive (LP18).

I have to admit I was a little apprehensive because I was worried the green hue from the paint and the tint from the windows will make the room look washed out.

Thankfully, it didn’t, on the contrary, the bedroom looks so warm, cozy, and homey. Exactly what I was hoping for!

Since I initially wanted a feature wall, this was the only wall in the bedroom that was painted.

I regret not painting the entire bedroom; it would have made the transformation even more major!

Six Surprising Things I Learned About Limewash Paint

1. Limewash is a watered down version of lime paint

Before I embarked on my lime paint journey, I always thought lime paint and limewash were the same.

I even used these terms interchangeably until I found out that limewash is a watered down version of lime paint.

The main difference between lime paint and lime wash is the level of viscosity or thickness of the paint.

I ended up using lime paint (not limewash) because lime paint has a thicker mineral consistency, which makes it easier to work with and to get the texture I want.

Although I love the cloudy texture of limewash, I find that it can look overpowering, especially in open or small areas.

Plus, I wasn’t sure if it’ll look dated in a couple of years.

Since lime paint is not cheap, I opted for minimal texture to fully appreciate the subtle nuances and movement of the paint without it feeling overwhelming.

2. You need to prep your walls before applying limewash paint

It is SO important to prep your walls before applying lime paint. Otherwise, you’re not going to achieve the limewash results you want.

First, you’ll have to clean your walls to remove any dirt, dust, grease and grime. If you have any holes, make sure to fill them and sand them down.

Then, you’ll need to apply a primer before going over with lime paint.

If you are painting new or previously painted drywall, you MUST apply a mineral primer first and give it at least 24 hours to dry.

This provides a porous base for the limewash so it sticks onto your wall properly.

3. You don’t have to use a sealer after the limewash process

Some brands recommend finishing off the limewash or lime paint process with a mineral sealer or a wax.

Sealing your walls will make them waterproof, which means your walls will be protected from stains. However…

Sealing your walls may not be the best idea.

Sealing your lime paint walls can increase the sheen of the finish. And, it can change the appearance of the lime paint colour too.

Although lime paint is all-natural, most sealers are not and contain many non-biodegradable chemicals, which can be dangerous to us and the environment.

Besides that, once a sealer goes on the surface, you’ll need to apply a primer again if you want to repaint your walls in a few years.

4. DIY limewash? It’s not as simple as it looks

It’s important to do your own research if you’re attempting to limewash your walls without professional help.

The Vasari team gave me a hands-on lesson but I still found it challenging to control the texture and colour of lime paint.

One valuable lesson that stuck with me was that using a brush creates less texture whereas using a sponge produces more texture.

You may also need several coats to get the desired effect you want.

5. Limewash paint becomes lighter as it dries

Wet lime paint looks a lot darker when it is first applied.

When lime paint starts to dry, you’ll notice that it will become much lighter.

I discovered that lime paint looks best when you finish an entire wall in one go instead of taking breaks.

If you don’t complete a wall in one session, the paint can appear patchy and uneven.

To get the best results, it’s key to apply it evenly in consistent strokes and finish entire sections without pausing.

6. You cannot achieve perfection with limewash paint

Lime paint is beautiful, but it is unpredictable especially for newbies.

Unlike traditional paint, you’ll find that it’s almost impossible to achieve standard results with lime paint due to its natural textured finish.

But, the variations in colour and texture are what makes lime paint so appealing.

You may not be able to get a flawless, smooth surface but you’ll definitely have a beautifully-aged authentic look that is unique to your home.

It has been two years since I used lime paint and I still love it as much as I did back then!

The post 6 Surprising Things I Learned About Limewash Paint appeared first on That Isle Life.

I’ll be honest. I’ve heard of the terms limewash and whitewash before but never knew what made them different!

Both techniques are water-based and are great for updating brick exteriors and fireplaces because they allow some of the natural brick to show through.

However, each technique has its distinct pros and cons.

Is one better than the other for your upcoming brick makeover?

Read on to discover everything you need to know about limewash vs whitewash.

• What is limewash?
• Pros and cons of limewash
• My limewash recommendation
• How to apply limewash
• What is whitewash?
• Pros and cons of whitewash
• My whitewash recommendation
• How to apply whitewash
• Alternative option – German smear
• Which is the better technique for your home?

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that are at no additional cost to you. I may earn a small commission. Read the full privacy policy here.

Related: 6 Surprising Things I Learned About Limewash Paint

What is limewash?

What it is: Limewash is made from limestone that has been crushed, burned, and later combined with water to make putty.

How it’s made: The putty goes through an aging process. After that, it is thinned with water to create limewash paint.

Texture: Matte finish with a chalky texture

Colors: White (this is the natural color of limestone!), taupe, gray, and brown (these are created by adding natural pigments)

Pros of limewash

• More texture than whitewash paint
• Easy to apply
• Can be removed up to 5 days after applying (this gives you some time to decide if you like it or not!)
• Resistant to odor, moisture, and fungi
• All-natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly
• Hypoallergenic
• Sinks into porous surfaces so the texture of the natural brick doesn’t change
• Can be made and mixed at home (learn how to do this here!)

Cons of limewash

• May require several coats depending on desired look/coverage
• Expensive if you buy the pre-mixed version
• Difficult to make and mix on your own
• Color becomes much lighter after drying
• Hard to stay consistent if batches are mixed during different times
• May need touching up every 5 years or so because of erosion
• Not applicable for painted brick

My recommendations:

1. Romabio Bianco White Limewash Interior/Exterior Paint

2. Romabio Tropea Beige Limewash Interior/Exterior Paint

How do I apply limewash?

1. Clean your brick! Make sure to remove all dirt, dust, and grime using a bucket of water and cleaner.

2. Tape off your paint area to avoid spillover on walls, floors, or furniture.

3. Dampen your brick by spritzing water from a spray bottle.

4. It’s time to mix your paint! Pour the limewash paint into a bucket and then dilute it with 50% water. Mix. If you find that you need more water, you can always add more!

5. Use a masonry paintbrush to apply the paint over the brick. Start from the top to the bottom.

6. Let your paint dry for about 10-20 minutes. It should still be damp.

7. Spray more water on the brick and wipe with a rag to get a textured look.

8. Touch up any areas with more paint if needed!

What is whitewash?

What it is: A water-based paint that is mixed with water.

Purpose: Tones down natural colors of brick (and other surfaces too!) to create a naturally vintage or weathered look.

Texture: None

Colors: You can do this in any color!

Pros of whitewash

• Cheap
• Easy to apply
• Dries fast
• Gives a bright and smooth finish
• Offers more color varieties
• Will last 20-30 years with none or minimal maintenance required

Cons of whitewash

• No texture
• May require several coats depending on desired look/coverage
• Harder to remove
• Dries fast (you don’t have time to decide if you like it or not!)
• Not resistant to odor, moisture, and fungi

My recommendation: Giani Brick Transformations Kit – Whitewashed

How do I apply whitewash?

1. Just like applying limewash, you have to ensure your brick is clean. Use water, a good scrub brush, and a cleaner to remove any dust, dirt, and grime.

2. Mix the paint in a container with water and stir well. The general rule of thumb is to mix one part of paint with one part of water. However, you can adjust this according to the coverage you want.

3. Tape off all areas to avoid paint spillage.

4. Apply the paint and water mixture all over your brick.

5. Too much paint? Use a wet rag to wipe off any excess paint.

Related: Farmhouse vs Modern Farmhouse – What’s the difference and which style is better for your home?

Are there any other options besides limewash and whitewash?

Yes, there is! You can also apply German Smear all over your brick!

What is it: Spreading wet mortar over brick and then wiping some of it off before it dries.  

Texture: Adds a rough and distressed texture

Pros of German Smear

• Adds texture
• Gives a rustic and “Old-World” look and feel
• Cheap
• Extremely durable
• No maintenance required

Cons of German Smear

• Exhaustive process
• Time-consuming to apply
• Very difficult to remove
• Not applicable for painted brick

Which technique should I choose for my home?

Not sure which technique to go for? Well, it depends on a few factors: the look you’re going for, your budget, and what level of commitment you want to make.

If you have a small budget and want something bright, fuss-free, and permanent, I suggest going for whitewashing.

If you have a bigger budget and want something that has texture, is natural, and easy to apply, I recommend limewashing.

Finally, if you want your brick to look rustic and distressed, consider going for the German Smear.

I hope you learned a thing or two about limewash vs whitewash vs German Smear. Let me know in the comments below which technique you’ll choose for your home!

The post Limewash vs Whitewash: Which Is Better For My Brick Home? appeared first on That Isle Life.