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Limewash is a natural, breathable paint that brings timeless beauty to any space. Let us transform your home with rich colour, subtle depth, and organic texture using this ancient and ecological substance.
Limewash paint is known for its warmth, depth, and soft, chalky texture. Made from crushed limestone that is fired at high temperatures, then mixed with water and tinted with natural mineral pigments, it creates a finish that is both uniquely distressed and quietly elegant. As the paint cures, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, hardening into a thin, breathable layer that almost becomes part of the wall itself, much like the natural processes found in stone or plants. This quality gives limewash a living, shifting character that changes subtly with the light throughout the day. Although it has recently gained popularity in contemporary design, limewash has ancient roots, dating back to its early use during the Roman Empire as one of the very first forms of paint. For centuries it was applied to protect and decorate walls, celebrated for its natural matt surface and organic feel. Today, its revival in both modern interiors and heritage restoration projects continues this long tradition, offering a timeless effect that combines craftsmanship, history, and natural beauty.
Limewash is made from a simple blend of limestone and water, painting with limewash is more than just adding colour — you're applying a fine layer of limestone to your walls which penetrates and bonds with the material beneath. Non-toxic and environmentally-friendly, with a high pH level of 14, limewash is free from biocides, formaldehydes, and preservatives and with natural antibacterial properties it’s inherently resistant to mould and bacteria. As a breathable product, limewash enables your surfaces to remain fully permeable, allowing moisture to be released, which makes it an ideal choice for a variety of spaces, including those with high humidity such as bathrooms or basements. Limewash contains zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds) so its application is virtually odourless - perfect for the lungs and the environment.
Limewash is suitable for both domestic and commercial settings. It complements the character of heritage buildings, aligns ethically with eco-conscious builds, enhances the elegance of Georgian and Victorian homes, and adds interest to modern properties. Ideal for both interior and exterior masonry surfaces — including render, brickwork, and cement — limewash can also be applied to previously painted walls and interior substrates such as gyprock, plasterboard, drywall, or plaster. Meticulous surface preparation is essential to ensure even absorption and long-lasting results and limewash must be hand-brushed for an authentic, textured finish. For most interior applications, the recommended process includes a coat of primer, followed by a lime prep coat, then two to three top coats of pigmented limewash.
Bauwerk Limewash Colours are crafted using natural pigments and are 100 % UV and colour stable. The shades reflect and refract light in a unique way, thanks to the crystalline structure of the limestone base. This natural quality gives the colours a soft, luminous glow and a depth that can’t be replicated with conventional paints. Limewash paint is absorbed into the substrate, creating visual depth and texture not through a three-dimensional layering but by the minerals in the paint interacting with the light.
The Bauwerk cloud effect is a signature limewash technique that creates a soft, cloudy, mottled look. This is achieved by dabbing the paint onto the wall in small spots, then gently pulling it out to form a feathered, soft edge. Each new "cloud" should be started independently, lightly blending the edges using your brush to create an ethereal, textured finish.
Applying three or more coats of limewash results in a more subtle finish. With each additional layer, the intensity of the patina diminishes, resulting in a smoother look. The more coats you apply, the gentler the effect becomes— ideal if you just want a hint of low intensity texture.
The painterly effect is created with more sweeping and dynamic strokes. More brushwork can be seen and it feels more like a work of art on a canvas. As many of our limewash experts come from art and design backgrounds, this more creative, freeform style is executed with skill and intention.
For a bold, linear texture, the dragdown technique can be used. The limewash is applied to the surface top to bottom with long, vertical strokes, Pulling the paint downward and staggering the brush strokes leave behind faint, dry lines, giving the wall a distinctive, straight-edged look.
Layering and blending two similar or contrasting colours can create a dynamic effect, creating new colourways, tonal contrast, depth and interest. This effect can create a worn in look, implying colours have been built up over time.
Limewash paint is a natural, breathable paint made from slaked lime, water, and mineral pigments. Limewashing is the application of a delicate coating of limestone that hardens on your wall by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air—much like the natural process used by plants. Known for its beautiful, unique texture and flat matt finish, it offers a chalky, rich look that subtly shifts with changes in light. A traditional painting technique used for centuries to decorate and protect walls, it’s now making a comeback in modern interiors and heritage restoration projects alike. Pure Brilliant are committed to reviving the beauty of this traditional effect with experience, expertise and craftsmanship.
Limewash is an eco-friendly non-toxic choice, free from plastics, biocides, heavy metals and with no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), it’s significantly better for your home, health and the planet. The breathable formula allows walls to regulate humidity naturally. Beyond its sustainability, limewash creates a rich, velvety softness, adding warmth and depth to your space — perfect for those seeking a new and distinct feel for both interior and exterior zones.
Premium limewash paints are available from specialist brands such as Bauwerk Natural Colour Limewash, Earthborn, Lakeland, Marmor and DETALE CPH - all known for their extensive colour ranges and high mineral content. Pure Brilliant is one of the few approved Bauwerk Colour limewash applicators in Greater London. By working exclusively with trusted brands we ensure product quality is preserved.
Modern limewash exists in a broad spectrum of colours — from soft neutrals and earthy natural tones to warm, moody shades, deep sea greens, and vibrant sky blues. Limewash colours are created differently to conventional paints. Instead of machines and synthetic tints, natural raw pigments are used, globally sourced but carefully selected and blended by hand. The limewash base, made from crystalline limestone is mixed with the mineral pigment which allows light to refract in a unique way, creating a soft, surface glow. This natural process means limewash colours look more luminous and layered than standard emulsions.
Yes, limewash can be a DIY project if you're confident with brushwork and surface prep. However, achieving a consistent, truly artistic result often requires an experienced hand. The surface preparation is also key, how the wall is prepared, primed and prep coated is crucial to the final outcome. Our team at Pure Brilliant are limewash paint application specialists, well-versed in the art of limewash painting, ready to guide you or handle the process from start to finish.
Absolutely. Proper preparation is essential for adhesion, durability, longevity and that perfect patina. A lime-based or mineral prep coat is recommended, ensuring that the limewash binds effectively to the surface. A primer step, using a product like Zinsser can also be critical for avoiding patchiness, staining and unwanted marks bleeding through and for enhancing that signature, cloud-like texture or subtle blend.
Limewash needs to be applied by hand, starting with a specialised lime prep coat then 2-3 limewash topcoats. Using a variety of traditional wooden block brushes, each coat is hand brushed — never rolled or sprayed. Each layer is worked in with cross-hatched, rhythmic brushstrokes to build movement and variation. As experts in limewash painting and decorating, we also pay close attention to drying times, keeping a wet edge and substrate conditions to ensure a flawless result.
Limewash offers a variety of finishes, from subtle to cloudy to richly textured, depending on the technique and desired look. We offer 4 potential options – Bauwerk’s traditional cloud technique, blended, dragdown or painterly. The layering of two or more colours is also a possibility to create additional depth and tonal variation. Though the surface remains flat to the touch, the visual effect can resemble suede, stone, or aged plaster.
Yes. Limewash performs exceptionally well in high-humidity environments. It’s non-film-forming, breathable nature prevents peeling or moisture trapping. Plus, it boasts natural anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties—making it an excellent choice for kitchens, basements and bathrooms.
When applied correctly, limewash offers a similar lifespan to other premium paint brands. Made with mineral-based, UV-stable pigments, they are highly durable on raw surfaces such as exterior unpainted masonry, render, cement or brickwork where the paint is directly absorbed into the substrate itself. On previously painted or sealed surfaces, it’s less scrubbable than synthetic paints—but that’s part of its natural charm. While not indestructible, it’s long-lasting and easy to refresh with an extra coat. The special lime prep coat also improves adhesion and durability on modern surfaces.
