Limewash vs Clay Paint

[masochists-r-us]

Having dutifully lime plastered our sitting room at 2-3 times the cost and time of gypsum, I wondered whether I really needed to go to the lengths of limewashing it as well. I didn't find the cost, the tales of water spraying, dripping, need for safety suits and glasses, four coats, patchiness, colour rubbing off on to clothes etc etc exactly encouraging so decided to try out some match pots of clay paint. Clay paint is very good, easy to apply, covers well and Earthborn have some lovely colours, but still I felt compelled to do the right thing and limewash - damn those period magazines !
I tried out 4 of Mike Wye's most popular colours and despite all the negatives I have to say having tried both, in my view limewash is the best - reason being the unique light reflecting properties of it. I don't know why, but against old oak beam and floors it just looks so so right and not patchy at all. Yes, a lot of time and effort, but well worth the end result.
For info we went for creamy 'Parchment' as all the other colours came out a bit peachy, even yellow ochre.

 

[Jon Maine]

After painting the whole house in distemper and being very happy I would thoroughly recommend it. Similar looks to limewash and less labour intensive to apply, same pigments can be added to get a similar range of colours as to limewash. It comes in soft(more friable), super (just about wipeable) and oil bound (washable). Potmolens from Warminster are very knowlegable and could help you 01985 213960.

 

[JoceAndChris]

This is so useful, thanks.