Applied easily as a 1-coat process to instantly create authentic limewash finish equal to the look in historic Europe. OK, so I have an entire post on the hearth, which should be helpful to you and your daughter. ), and you don’t really have to clean the surface the way you do inside. This all began a few weeks ago when my husband was in Las […], It took me almost three months, but I’ve finally finished putting together the dining room in our new house! I absolutely love this. It can be used on some untreated wood, but remember that since it's a very thin mixture that absorbs, it will draw out the grain of the wood. (Update: I subsequently finished my limewash stone exterior makeover, too! Let me know how your fireplace turns out. It is VERY popular for painting bricks and other masonry, like stone! Sorry if you already know this, but I thought that some of you might be unfamiliar with limewash, so let me fill you in! I would guess that Cristallo White might be the soft white you’re looking for. You can update your home while still keeping the warmth of the brick exposed, and not having to fully commit to completely painted brick.The best p… I hope you'll find ideas to inspire your creativity and beautify your home here. Limewash is a beautiful, traditional exterior material that mellows while it ages and over time develops the weathered patina that characterizes the Old-World charm of Europe. Lime slurries and washes change over time. They’re easy to make, inexpensive, and look great in vases, jars, bowls – anywhere really! Simply by thinning the limewash with water, I would have been able to get a more translucent effect and would have allowed more of the natural stone color to show through. Slurries are similar to this wash made with lime stone. Yes, I am so thankful that it turned out well and was an easy fix! In my case, I was trying to mask the orange tones, so I applied the limewash in a more opaque finish. An ancient house staple dating back to Roman times, limewash is made from limestone that’s been crushed, burned, and mixed with water to make a lime putty. It’s a much thicker material than lime wash and is much more durable and long lasting than a lime wash on brick or stone. Earlier this year I totally transformed my 1970s orange rock fireplace with limewash. Yes! SE WI! Unlike paint, limewash penetrates the surface and the colour is built up by applying successive coats. Now that you have a little more background on limewash, let me fill you in on the supplies you need to limewash a stone fireplace. I’m so excited for you. Limewash is unsuitable for impervious materials (flint,hard brick, etc) and first-time limewashing is inadvisable on sandstone. I am excited to share the updates to the whole house. But would like it to look great at least ~5 years without having to constantly retouch. A biological product that is created by crushing the limestone to a powder, burning it and adding water to make a lime putty. Let me know in the comments and please share this post to Pinterest to help others learn how to limewash their fireplaces, too! Romabio Classico Limewash is an authentic, slaked-lime paint that is specially formulated to create unique white wash effects for Interior and Exterior unpainted brick, stone and other masonry surfaces. I wanted it to cover a bit more than the regular whitewash look, where the stone peeks through, and I’m very happy with the final result. We’ve been having a lot of rain in our area lately – would a heavy rain affect the wash if it hadn’t had time to harden? Now it’s time to mix up the limewash! My daughter just bought a new house and her fireplace looks just like yours, so we saw you post and loved the transformation ! Comments like yours are what keep me going! The limewash has to be mixed with water for application, but you can mix with the minimal amount of water, apply rather thick, and not wipe any off, and you should achieve a color that doesn’t let stone show through! My understanding is that the limewash should last 10-15 years outdoors before recoat is necessary. To be safe you could definitely contact Romabio (limewash manufacturer) to double check, but I am thinking you will be good to go! I chose to use Romabio brand limewash because I follow the company on Instagram and love every makeover I see with their products, and because their limewash is affordably priced and comes in many colors. Back in the day (like 20 or 30 years ago), the hot trend in design was to plop a desk in the middle of every home’s most valuable area: the kitchen. The color of my limewashed stone tends to look different in different lights, but there is definitely a beige look at times! Be sure to check it out!). * N.B. I’m looking at doing something similar but have lava rock not stones and mine goes all the way to the vaulted ceiling. Your end product (as well as your bookcases) looks absolutely beautiful! You’re going to LOVE it!!!! I started on the top side and worked my way down. Most limewash ingredients were readily available on the plantation. As much as I can, I like to work with what I’ve got, though, and I did not want to tear down this fireplace (can you imagine the dust and mess?!? * This base coat will ensure that no imperfections show through the limewash and will help the wash adhere to your wall. Step 2: If you are working with a nonporous, previously painted, or water repellant surface, you need to apply a 100 percent acrylic primer as an undercoat to the limewash. Please feel free to reach out during your project if you need any help at all. I just came across your site while I was looking for information on lime wash vs white wash. You’ve sold me! I watched carefully to see when the limewash was almost dry (but not totally dry), and then began to wipe it off very lightly. My daughter did the same to hers and what a difference! I won’t lie – I did have a minor time of doubt as it was such a drastic difference, but I know that I always do that with any project, so I calmed down and kept working. This limewash finish will last approximately 10-15 years, which is the same as an exterior paint job. It’s beautiful! For example, when I put it on the rock about a month ago it was stark white almost. Hi Bre, Our “70’s” exterior rock on our ranch home is different colors like blue, dark green, dark tan yuk, yuk! So, the water bottle was a great way to get the stone wet again to accept the limewash, without wetting it too much with the garden hose. Complete with a wide variety of orange rocks, this extra large fireplace really clashed with my living room decor. Thanks for visiting my blog. UPDATE: I finished the mirrored built-ins makeover, and we replaced the carpeting with luxury vinyl plank flooring (you can read my luxury vinyl plank review here!) The limewash did not work on the marble hearth (I accidentally got some on the hearth and it wiped right off even though it had dried), so I had to think of a different solution. What did you end up using for your hearth? Shop valspar white limewash glaze (16-fl oz) in the decorative finishes section of Lowes.com . I just came across this post on Pinterest. info@puritylimewash.com. seems my choice will be a lime wash, with enough coats to make the covering opaque, or nearly so, to hide what’s beneath. This limewashed stone project was the first part of our outdoor overhaul (which you can see here! But after a week it was already more of a beige color like it shows on the manufacturer’s website. Thanks so much for the tutorial! This is perfectly fine with limewash and does not affect the durability of the product! This sounds like such a fun project you have planned! Thank you so much for including excellent directions – this will make the process so much easier for me! Patty 🙂. I hear you about the weather concerns! It has cement in it and will act the same as any hydrated lime would. Limewash is naturally white and forms a complex crystalline matrix which has a matt, slightly chalky appearance. So, I did some research and decided to do a DIY stone fireplace makeover with Romabio brand limewash. On December 21 we moved in to our new home, and since then, I have been busy unpacking and trying to make this house feel like our home! Inspiring creativity with crafts, DIY, and home decor projects. Limewash covers bricks with a coating that absorbs into the masonry without trapping moisture. First, make sure to protect surrounding surfaces with a tarp and painters tape. Thank you! But had I wanted to, I could have allowed more of the stone color to show through. Grays, browns, and taupes are the normal range of colors for limewash paint. The new owners did a really ugly solid gloss black paint on the fire brick chimney outside and I’d love to sneak over and do this during the night to bring that beautiful home back to it’s historical roots (built in 1897 – not the age of gloss black paint). Required fields are marked *. Lime wash or “white wash” is the original house paint. After the putty goes through an aging process, it is thinned with water to create a paint that has a mottled, matte look with a chalky texture. (This orange rock musta’ been on sale in 1977!). Step Three. Thanks again. Of course, my new house had […], With Christmas decorations packed away the house can feel stark! I repeated this application / drying / wiping process across the front and couldn’t believe the immediate difference the limewash made! According to the manufacturer, you should be good within four hours of application! It is so DIY friendly and makes such an impact at a low price. To read my full disclosure policy, […], Pretty Chic Theme By: Pretty Darn Cute Design. All in, this project cost me just under $70, and that is because I had to buy things like painters tape, rags, and a protective tarp (since the ones I already had are still packed away from the move). I emptied the one quart container of limewash into my mixing bucket, and thinned it with three cups of water. How does it patina with age? 1 Gallon Extra Durable Limewash. Apparently limewash hardens or calcifies immediately, so the rain will not remove it after that time period. It is rather -orange- and I want to either paint it or white wash it. Nowadays, most people don’t use the kitchen desk, and it’s just a dumping ground for junk and clutter. Once everything’s mixed, it’s time to get to work. I have natural stacked Texas limestone on the exterior of my house. I’ll be using lime wash on our fireplace, which looks exactly like yours! That “insurance policy” is huge, in my opinion! I’ve been scouring Pinterest trying to find a project like this! I wouldn’t mind doing several coats. Back in the day (like 20 or 30 years ago), the hot trend in design was to plop a desk in the middle of every home’s most valuable area: the kitchen. Surprisingly, it isn’t that much! All rights reserved. First of all, limewashed rock – unlike painted rock or whitewashed rock (whitewash is just thinned down paint) – has a much more natural appearance. Step 1: Prep your walls as you would any paint job, by spackling holes and washing the surface. Thank you for your help. Our Home Depot does not carry samples. Limewash is made from powdered limestone that has been treated with heat and water to change its chemical composition, resulting in a stable product that provides a … 🙂. To read my full disclosure policy, […], Pretty Chic Theme By: Pretty Darn Cute Design. Here it is: https://averageinspired.com/2020/01/how-to-paint-a-marble-fireplace-hearth-in-four-easy-steps.html Check it out and if you guys have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out via the comment box or email! (If you’re working with a limewash solution that is more diluted than my mixture, this may not be an issue for you!). I mixed one quart at a time to keep the limewash “liquidy” the entire time I was using it. While it may appear to adhere to impervious surfaces It’s unlikely that it will provide as durable a coating as the lack of suction will impair its overall effectiveness. I’m not sure I want any of the existing stone color to come through. Thank you! When mixing your limewash, check to see what dilution ratio you’d like. It looks great! Wow, what a simple solution to a dated fireplace! This could take up to ten minutes because limewash is very thick to begin with! We have installed a brick backsplash that I want to lime wash. I’m having trouble choosing a color that will blend well with the walls. Love the finished product! Looks great and really updates the exterior so nicely! Awesome! They’re a beautiful winter […], Several months ago I was so lucky to find a set of nesting tables for sale on a local resale website. Removing lime wash from the brick surface can be said to be a somewhat tricky matter. Now I know. It takes less well to cement render,plasterboard or emulsion, but may be possible to apply, particularly if modifiedfor better adhesion. (For now, at least. Because of that, it’s fun to add some winter-themed decor to the mix. Remember to mix, mix, mix the product so that there is no extra water left at the top of the bucket, and so that everything is all mixed together. Going to go out and purchase the products and get started on it. This post contains affiliate links. The white portland cement adds opacity so this doesn’t happen as dramatically as a 100% lime wash. ), but instead is a beautiful modern vintage dining room that we love! Lime Wash Tool Kit. Limewashing is definitely the easiest way to change the color of a home’s stone facade or rock facade. 🙂, Your email address will not be published. Would limewash color over these dark colors?! Here is the completed fireplace makeover – it looks so different! To read my full disclosure policy, please click here. Did the color mellow to a off white? This post contains affiliate links. With age it will get even more tones as it fades away and the elements age it. Limewashing exterior surfaces is actually easier than limewashing interior surfaces because you don’t have to be as careful to protect surrounding surfaces (limewash is all natural so it doesn’t harm plants! So glad you like it. Brick walls become dull and discolored over time. . I didn’t have to worry about some of it dripping on the bushes or grass below the stone, because it’s totally natural and non-toxic and washed away as soon as it rained. We are slowly updating our 70’s house also. Feel free to contact us with any questions about updating your home. Copyright © 2013-2021, Bre Eggert (Average But Inspired). **Our paints and pigments consist of natural ingredients - there can be slight variation between batches. Let me know if you have any questions about the limewashing process at all. You could look on Romabio’s Instagram to see examples of that particular color – that might help! Like Distemper, Limewash is a breathable finish making it suitable for old and damp-problematic walls. It is no longer being used as our virtual learning classroom (thank goodness! Us stone fireplace people need to stick together! We had to strip old wallpaper. I have a fireplace that looks exactly like yours and have been struggling for years trying to figure out what to do with it. We would also like to have a mantel built for the fireplace, but it is surprisingly expensive (according to the one quote I’ve gotten), and my large round wood mirror gives the natural wood look we’re after – at least for now! I am such a huge fan of this material and want to sing its praises from the highest mountain! ;-)). The minerals seep into the porous surface to which the limewash is applied and give a really authentic and aged look. When my husband could sense my fear and said (in a nice and caring way) that he didn’t think I was going to be able to do this, I got the jolt I needed and climbed right up. They’re a beautiful winter […], I am officially on the chalk paint bandwagon. We live in WI so four seasons, rough winters. I’m so glad this post helped you!! My kitchen walls are a soft off white… So I would like a soft off white lime wash color. It does, however, look FABULOUS with the new color of our house (which you can see in my 1970s exterior makeover post)! Product Description. Thank you so much for stopping by! Courtney Clymer, who writes Lifestyled Atlanta, wanted to create her own limewashed brick backsplash in her kitchen.She gave … Also, wait until late spring/early summer to tackle this job!! Mix together one part hydrated lime with four parts water in a large bucket with a paint stick until it … Note that an acrylic primer will compromise the breathability of stucc… This wash of lime gives an indulgent, fine, white appearance to your brick wall. Once I was up there, I was fine (see – I’m smiling!). 🙂 I am happy I left it – at least for now! Yes – you definitely could go more opaque. Last September I announced that we were moving from our beloved home outside of Chicago to the Milwaukee suburbs. The Density of Washed #5 Gravel Stone: 2,410 lb/yd³ or 1.21 t/yd³ or 0.8 yd³/t Because of that, it’s fun to add some winter-themed decor to the mix. The more coats of lime added, the more brilliant white & less opaque it will turn. Next, clean the stone with a wet rag. I diluted this batch of limewash more than the limewash I mixed for my fireplace makeover, because I wanted to let a little more of the rock show through. AAAAH so exciting!! During the colonial period, people got their lime from local deposits in Winn and Bienville parishes where limestone occurred naturally as cap roack protecting salt domes from the environment. So, I will have to re-do it at some point to maintain the look, but that is the case with any painted finish. In fact, if I could, I would drive that wagon. I know you’re probably wondering why I chose to limewash my exterior stone column to change its color instead of painting it or whitewashing it, and I have lots of good answers for you! When it’s time to re- limewash it, is the limewash all gone from the rock or just spotty looking? You might be wondering why I chose to limewash my stone fireplace instead of painting it . I’m so happy this post was helpful to you! It’s amazing. Ha! You want the rocks to definitely be wet, but you don’t want water running down the rocks. I was wondering, could you go even more opaque with lime wash.? Good luck with your project! I worked section by section, going down the column, making sure to keep the application uniform and to pay attention to parts that were easy to miss, like the sides of rocks and bottom parts of rocks. This made the project seem less risky to me. I used the masonry brush to cover the large stone pieces and rocks, and then I got into the grout and crevices with the 3″ chip brushes. Do you think this would work well for my project? Limewashed brick is popular these days. Thanks! I felt a pit in my stomach because I couldn’t let this orange hearth ruin this makeover! Looks great! I cannot believe what I accomplished for under $70! I know, I know – you want to see it! Thank you, Susan! Sorry! I also found your info about the luxury vinyl planks very helpful. So happy your daughter’s fireplace turned out great. Maybe the solution will be to find a patient, retired painter who will treat the walls as a canvas, adding wash where needed to produce an overall effect appropriate to an old house. Did what you were working with have visible rust on it? I’m having a similar issue with my limestone fireplace in our new house – but the orange and brown in it appears to be visible rust. They say that generally, a quart is enough for a fireplace makeover. Its use on timber, although practiced in the past, should be questioned today by the novice, not that we are advising against its use. After the stone fireplace surround is clean, get out your water bottle and spray the rocks. It is ultra matte, just like rocks and stone, and allows the natural patina to show through (where desired). Can’t wait to see how you painted the hearth! Friends, I am so, so, SO proud of this project. Our stone definitely was orange colored and not rusty. We are in the process of updating our farmhouse kitchen. The Giannettis used a French Limestone and I believe it was acid washed, as well. Allow this to dry thoroughly. Once the product is fully mixed, it’s time to apply the limewash to the fireplace. I didn’t have to spend a ton of money to make it look fresh, and I am so thankful to have found out about limewash! I tackled my first big project, which was a makeover of our massive 1970s fireplace, and I am thrilled to share my limewash stone fireplace makeover with you now! Limewash works best on porous surfaces such as brick, cement block, terracotta, and stone. I have noted those items with an asterisk (*) in the list. ), concrete over the rocks, or frame it out with wood and ruin the 70s vibe we’ve got going on here. Hi, Patty! Limewash is a very ancient paint made from limestone which has been crushed, burnt and slaked with water to make lime putty. My secret recipe that I used on a very successful project where I had to match 70-year-old weathered whitewash is just below.Here's just one part of the project I did. Limewash works best when applied to more porous substrates, such as lime plaster, clay brick, soft stone etc. And in case you’re wondering why I didn’t paint the brass fireplace doors – it’s because I like them! To read my full disclosure policy, please click here. Hi, Stacey! Mine is a mix of the white-ish limestone color and deep rusty spots imbedded throughout. Now that you know that, let me show you how it’s done! Here’s my beauty! Romabio, the manufacturer, says it will hold up! Although it probably would have been messy and tedious to remove the finish if I didn’t like it, I felt good knowing that it wasn’t permanent if I hated it. I used an entire quart of limewash in the Riposo Beige shade for this fireplace and I didn’t have any left over. Brush marks can be left on the surface for added interest, or can be blended with the brush or by the use of a damp sponge. Lime Wash Purchase Sample Jar *Digital swatches are a rough estimation of color - purchasing sample jars or sample chip sets are the best way to see actual colors. I did wonder about the brass doors but after I looked again I like them! Once it has been aged and thinned it can be colored with natural pigments creating a depth and weathered patina reminiscent of a Mediterranean old world finish. I’m also looking forward to seeing the rest of the house and seeing how you transform and decorate other parts of it! All loose and/or flakin… 800-339-4073. One great way to do that is to make fake snowballs for decor. Was this 1970s stone fireplace makeover a success? There are several brands of limewash on the market, and apparently you can even make your own! Doing this let some of the rock tones show through – but not too much! You did a fabulous job! Trust me, the white… Make sure to come back in a week or two to check out the entire exterior makeover reveal! Free Online Quote. Hi, I'm Bre! The lime putty is matured for several months before being thinned with water to make limewash. Wash. you ’ ve been PERFECT for limewashing the brick fireplace inside and out dramatically a. Why I chose to limewash my stone fireplace makeover – it looks now... Very chalky and matte finish the rest of the stone just seem to be orange?... Possible to apply the limewash is unsuitable for impervious materials ( flint, brick... Do a DIY stone fireplace makeover clean, get out your water bottle and the... 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