Limewash Paint

Sydney Harbour limewash is made the traditional way: slaked, aged lime and natural pigment, with no acrylic binder. It soaks into plaster, brick and stone and dries to the soft, weathered patina of the buildings of Tuscany and Portofino, and every wall blooms a little differently as the lime cures. Choose from 365 pre-tinted colors for interior and exterior walls. It's zero VOC, virtually odorless and made by hand.

Shop all limewash colors →

Limewash dries several shades lighter than it looks wet, so we always recommend sampling on your own wall first.

Interior or Exterior: Which Limewash Do You Need?

Interno Interior Limewash

For interior walls and ceilings over raw plaster or a properly sealed surface.

• 365 pre-tinted colors, ready to use with no mixing
• Natural bloom and tonal variation
• Mildly fungicidal thanks to lime's high pH
• Covers approx. 350–400 sq ft per gallon per coat
• Interior limewash specifications (PDF)

Exterior Limewash

For raw stucco, brick, stone and concrete.

• Slaked, aged lime, ready to use with no mixing
• 365 pre-tinted colors
• Breathable, so masonry can release moisture
• Covers approx. 350–400 sq ft per gallon per coat
• Exterior limewash specifications (PDF)

Real Limewash vs. "Limewash Paint"

Many products sold as limewash paint are conventional water-based paints with a little hydraulic lime mixed in. They go on thicker, sit on top of the wall, and can dry to a chalky, powdery film. Sydney Harbour limewash is the real thing: slaked lime that bonds with porous masonry and plaster as it cures, carbonating back into a thin layer of limestone. That's what gives true limewash its depth, movement and long life outdoors, and why it ages gracefully instead of peeling.

What You'll Need

• Limewash in your color: Interno for interiors, Exterior for outside walls.
• The right base. Raw plaster, brick, stone and stucco take limewash directly. Painted or sealed walls need Limeproof Undercoat Sealer or another limewash primer first.
• A block brush. Limewash is brushed, never rolled or sprayed. Try the Easy L Limewash Brush or the Lil' Stainer 5" Block Brush.
• Samples. Every color comes in a sample size, and sample boards let you test without marking your wall.

How Limewash Goes On

1. Prepare the surface. Clean and dampen raw masonry, or prime sealed and painted walls.
2. Brush on the first coat in loose, criss-cross strokes with a block brush.
3. Let it dry, then apply a second coat. Color and bloom build with each coat.
4. Mist-cure exterior work in hot or dry weather so the lime cures slowly.

For step-by-step guidance on interior walls, brick houses and exteriors, read our complete guide to limewash →

How Much Limewash Do I Need?

Measure the wall area, multiply by two coats, and divide by the coverage per gallon.

Example: a 12 × 12 ft bedroom with 8 ft ceilings has about 384 sq ft of wall. Two coats is 768 sq ft, or about 2 gallons at 350–400 sq ft per gallon.

Rough or very porous masonry absorbs more, so allow an extra 10–15% for brick and stucco.

Limewash FAQ

Is your limewash different from limewash paint?

Yes. Ours is true slaked-lime limewash, not paint with lime added, so it bonds with the wall instead of sitting on top of it.

Do I need a primer?

Not on raw plaster, brick, stone or stucco. Painted or sealed surfaces need Limeproof Undercoat Sealer or a limewash primer first.

Can I use the same limewash inside and out?

Choose Interno for interiors and Exterior Limewash for outside walls. Both come in all 365 colors.

Can I see the colors before I buy?

Yes. Order a sample size of any color, or see limewash in person at a stockist or our Los Angeles showroom. Find a store →

How long does exterior limewash last?

Limewash weathers gradually, typically softening over 10–15 years before a refresh coat. More in our limewash guide →

Zero VOC · Virtually odorless · Made by hand · 365 colors · Los Angeles showroom · See our work with Reformation