The Paint Effect We Love
All About The Trend…
From polished plaster to Moroccan tadelakt, decorating a wall no longer means a flat, one-dimensional finish. While limewash paints are having a revival, the technique itself is not new; in fact, with ancient origins, limewash is one of the oldest decorating finishes. Created when limestone or calcium carbonate is crushed, burned and mixed with water and natural pigments, it’s traditionally applied to plaster and stucco – although modern-day formulas can work with more contemporary materials. Easy and forgiving, the result is multi-dimensional and luminous.
The Brand To Know…
The brand championing this revival is Bauwerk – a mineral-based natural paint that creates a soft, chalky, natural appearance with subtle textures. Unlike modern synthetic paint which creates a seal on surfaces and locks moisture inside walls (which can cause water build up leading to blistering, bubbling and even structural wall damage) limewash works with the surface to which it is applied. It even extracts carbon dioxide out of the air – so it makes your home environment healthier, too.
BAUWERK
BAUWERK
Table Image Stylist Susi Clegg for Mandarin Stone
How To Use It…
While it works in any space to create natural textures, it’s especially well-suited to bathrooms – especially when you consider the naturally antibacterial qualities due to its high alkalinity. It also provides an adequate splash back in kitchen and bathrooms. If you want to use it in high traffic areas, such as a hallway, remember to choose a light colour so you can recoat patches which wear out – another benefit of limewash is how easy it is to reapply anytime. As well as walls, it can be used on ceilings, but it’s not recommended on architrave or doors. It does work well on decorative pine panelling and ply wood, however.
How To Apply It…
The good news is, you don’t need to be an experienced decorator to do the work. Usually, it's applied by large natural brushes, in two to three coats, with two hours left to dry in between. With each coat, you’ll see the colour and texture develop; this happens naturally – it's not a paint effect. Extensive preparation isn't required, either – masonry render, bricks, lime plaster, and any natural surfaces can be painted straight over, without any prior preparation. For peace of mind, however, you can apply the Bauwerk Prep Coat, which has been formulated to create the perfect bridge between new and old surfaces.
Visit Bauwerk.co.uk
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