Benjamin moore veneer plaster how to#

That's how it creates so much depth and dimension. 'The lime builds up and blooms through and creates this high and low of colors naturally, that's from the lime coming out to the surface,' says Davis. You need to roll, brush, or spray the wall with two or three layers of primer, then you can apply a coat of limewash right out of the can. Original blue limewash walls in a 1770s home renovated by designer Cameron Schwabenton. Today, however, Portola's product can actually be painted right on top of whatever your walls are made of because of the special primer you to use with it, which is a 'very heavy, porous primer that will allow you to create that same look and feel of drywall.' 'Traditionally, lime paints could only be used on raw plaster and stucco and brick and cement,' explains Davis. Here's what you need to know before you choose limewash paint for your walls. Thanks to brands like Portola Paints that have taken these ancient art forms and modernized them, limewash has become much easier to apply in a variety of spaces. Limewash colors are less predictable than standard paints too, so you have to be somewhat flexible about the results. On the other hand, you might consider not being able to clean your walls a con if you have small children or pets. Walls painted in limewash don't require cleaning, either-in fact, you shouldn't clean them. Limewash is also a great paint alternative for anyone in need of a more hypoallergenic solution since the alkaline pH of limestone makes it extra resistant to mold and bacteria. Beauty aside, it doesn't have the chemicals that cause other types of interior and exterior paint to be considered hazardous materials. Limewash paint has a natural, textured look that many people prize. 'The specialty finishes were actually what got us into the paint world, specifically the Lime Wash,' he shares, adding that 'they have a lot of history but not so much in the states, more in Europe and South America-that's what initially attracted us to this Old World chalky matte patina type of finish.' Limewash Paint Pros and Cons 'That old-world, chalky patina you find on buildings in Europe and South America is what originally sparked our love of paint,' says Jamie Davis, cofounder and owner of designer-favorite Portola Paints. Limewash in a dining room by Caroline Rafferty. Today, its romantic and storied feel makes it more popular than ever. It became popular as a way to lighten up stone and timber. The mixture was originally made of crushed limestone thinned with water and mixed with various natural pigments to achieve the desired color. When it's in the can, it looks more like putty than paint. This finish has an almost chalky look to it and feels soft to the touch. Limewash is a finish that gets its textural veneer from added sandstone aggregate.

Benjamin moore veneer plaster how to#

Read on for a history of limewash paint, how to use it, and how to get perfect results. We tapped Jamie Davis of Los Angeles–based Portola Paints to give us a primer on this always-trending wall finish. Limewash paint is timelessly beautiful, but it's also known for being a bit mercurial. And although you see it most often in shades of white or gray, it comes in bolder colors too. It has been used for centuries to give walls a cozy, patinated look-in fact, it dates all the way back to Roman times. Limewash has a suedelike texture that's more akin to putty than a standard interior paint. If you're here because you're obsessed with a room that has limewash paint on the walls and are wondering exactly what that is, you've come to the right place. But you could opt for a totally different treatment. When you're decorating your home, the default is to choose the right paint color and finish for its walls.