The Uncommon Place To Try Out Limewash For A Cozy Makeover

If you've been considering limewashing your interior walls but aren't sure where to begin, your kitchen might be the unexpected but perfect place to try. Limewash is cozy and warm, which tends to be associated with living spaces like bedrooms and living rooms, but it doesn't mean it isn't a good fit for the kitchen, too. In fact, limewash is perfect for giving a kitchen a cozy and warm makeover.

Kitchens are the heart of the home, where you can cook while the kids work on homework, or where guests gather to snack and drink some wine while you wrap up dinner. Whatever the case may be, it's a fantastic place to try a cozy makeover. And what better than limewash to make a room feel alive, organic, and soft? Limewash feels warm because it has that lived-in aspect, without looking old, outdated, or dirty. Unlike regular paint, limewash has visible paint strokes left behind by the broad brush used to apply it. As a result, it's full of texture and contrasts nicely with some of the more clinical and impersonal kitchen options, like bright white.

Limewash is a traditional painting technique that looks chalky and organic. Unlike contemporary paints, this is made from water, natural pigments, and natural slaked lime (hence the name). Limewash has been used for thousands of years, and you might often spot it on walls in Italy or Greece, for example. It's used both as interior and exterior paint. When used indoors, it adds dimension and texture to a room and pairs beautifully with other materials, like wood, tile, and metal, which are particularly common in kitchens.

Limewash is a great choice for a kitchen, especially in earthy, light tones that contrast well with the more imposing elements, like appliances and fixtures. By contrasting harsh materials like steel with softer hues of limewash, you can create a warm and inviting environment. The other great thing about limewash in a kitchen is that it can bring hints of color to larger areas, like entire walls and even ceilings, without being overwhelming. This might let you go a bit softer than you would with traditional white paint, for example, with light pinks, greens, and beiges.

However, limewash isn't ideal for areas prone to food spills and splatters. Instead, consider pairing limewashed walls with classic kitchen tile around sinks, stoves, and any spots where spills might leave greasy and oily stains. You can also pair it with creative backsplash ideas, like marble, colorful tiles, or metal, if you'd like to try something more modern and unique.

That said, don't worry about limewash's durability in hot, steamy kitchens. In fact, it's more breathable than regular paint. Lime wash is particularly good at allowing moisture to escape from walls, making it a fantastic barrier against mold and other fungi. In addition, it's also anti-septic, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial. It even repels insects, which can be an issue in kitchens.