Limewash Interior Design Trend
As a San Diego interior designer, we have a lot of clients in Spanish style homes in Rancho Santa Fe, for example, that lend themselves well to the limewash trend because it creates a soft old-world vibe that we love. For clients who want the clean look of white walls but are afraid that it will look too sterile, limewash is a great option because it adds movement and texture, without having to commit to a bold patterned wallpaper or wood wall treatment.
Limewash can bring a soft feminine energy to a space and make it instantly feel warm, cozy and lived-in because of it's imperfect patina. I compare it to linen fabric because it has organic imperfections that come from the nature of how it's applied manually by hand. As Carlsbad interior designer, I get asked about this look and here’s my two cents:
Why is limewash currently trending —what’s the appeal?
We love the chalky look it creates that almost gives walls a velvety texture that is rich but with an earthy patina. I think it is having a revival moment now because of the organic modern trend where people are leaning into natural materials and earth-tones and want non-toxic materials in their homes. When our clients want a neutral palette, we have to rely on texture to make it visually interesting, otherwise, spaces will feel flat. I also personally think limewash is having a moment because homes have embraced the open floorplan concept to a fault, which can make rooms feel cold and hollow, so the limewash has the effect of warming it up and making them feel cozy. That's just a guess.
Is limewash a new painting trend?
Limewash is not new - it's actually one of the oldest paints known to man, dating back to the Egyptian Pharaohs, the best interior designers should know this. It's made of natural minerals and because it has a high PH, it was used as a protective coating that is water-resistant and has antifungal properties, so it is highly durable and functional.
Can you apply limewash to drywall?
We have applied limewash directly to drywall, but find that it works best on walls that are not too textured. Orange peel walls for example aren't the best for limewash because it competes with the natural finish and can feel a little busy.
Any application mistakes to avoid?
Our Carlsbad interior design firm was eager to test out this finish and apply it to our walls in our studio to show clients firsthand, because it doesn't always translate in photos. We read all about the technique and bought the right brushes and paint to do it ourselves.
The limewash goes on very dark when it's wet, and it dries quickly, so it's a little deceiving to the inexperienced eye. I was expecting it to have a lot of movement based on how much contrast there was during the application process, but after the paint dried, it was pretty uniform. Apparently that's because my brush strokes were too small... so when we had a professional re-apply a top-coat, he demonstrated that you actually need to leave bigger gaps between strokes so that you can create more movement and texture. All in all, it's a fairly easy to use finish, but takes some practice to get it done right.
What’s the forecast for this interior design trend?
I'm not sure how long this trend will last... I think it's no different than how shiplap was a hot trend for a while, but I do think it will eventually become timestamped and dated, unfortunately! At least it's not super-expensive to achieve, so if it has to be replaced in a few years, it will have been worth it!
