A tranquil pavilion house in Suffolk

Norm Architects designed this pavilion house in Suffolk, UK, as a beautiful inside-out construction, where you can get a glimpse of the surrounding nature from every room. The minimal and tuned-back architecture makes you pay attention to the beautiful countryside and frames it in a lovely way.

What is a pavilion?

A pavilion building is a subsidiary building either attached to the main building or placed within its surroundings. Pavilions can range in size, from a small garden pavilion to an entire extension just like in this case.

A pavilion built to complement the main building

The steel construction, wooden window frames, and vertical cladding of the pavilion design correspond to the design of the existing building. Since the pavilion needed to stand out against the impressive park-like countryside surroundings, it was raised on a dark basalt foundation which introduces a shadow gap between the land and the pavilion, which has the effect of seemingly raising the pavilion from the land it stands on.

The pavilion interior

Transparency stands front and center in the design of the pavilion so that the surroundings become an integral part of the interior. The color palette of the interior is very modest, so it fits with the surroundings.

The pavilion house is planned in a very open way, with different functional areas. The wood-burning stove divides the kitchen from the living room and dining area, where people can come together for entertainment, and recreation, and enjoy a sense of community.

A subtle white kitchen

The modest and tranquil way of designing the pavilion so all the attention goes to the natural surroundings has been continued in the kitchen as well, which is seamlessly integrated into the walls, with slim grey countertops for an elegant look and wooden furniture to enhance the natural feeling of the interior.

A dark cement bathroom

While the rest of the pavilion has a white and light base palette, the bathrooms have darker cement walls, which create a sanctuary feeling of separation from the surroundings. Some windows have been carefully placed in strategic places to allow light to flow in and privacy to be ensured.

Limewash paint is a great way to add texture to a modern and minimalist interior setting. The shadowy effect on the paint surface adds a textural effect to your interior. Moreover, it removes the need for a lot of wall decor.

You can create a subtle or expressive cloudy effect depending on the brush pattern. This effect will make the furniture pieces and accessories you place in front of your walls pop out.

Below, you can find my favorite limewash paint interiors and ideas. In this list, you will find inspiration for integrating limewashed walls in your home. Ranging from living rooms to bedrooms, kitchens, and even accent walls

What is limewash paint?

Limewash paint has been around for ages. Even though it was used in the old world, it has gained popularity in the last few years in modern homes as well.

Limewash paint consists of natural ingredients only. It’s a non-toxic paint with no volatile organic compounds and no chemicals. The environmentally friendly solution even absorbs carbon dioxide improving interior air quality in your space.

The production process is simple. Crushed limestone mixed with water and natural pigments forms a lime putty. You can apply this putty in thin coats on the wall, creating a beautiful texture.

Limewash paint is much thinner than Venetian plaster. Its consistency gives it a more relaxed impression, achieved by layering one coat on top of the other.

Limewash living room examples

A subtle lime wash treatment on the walls and ceiling details

The white soft furnishings pop out against the beige limewash paint on the living room walls. The lime surface forms the perfect backdrop for an elegant living room decor.

The texture of the lime paint evens out the irregular wall corners in the floor plan. A few selected pieces of wall decor suffice to decorate the textured walls in this modern space.

via Unika Hem

A rustic effect with half limewash walls in an attic apartment

When you are working with sloped ceilings, there are two ways to paint your walls. You can either stop the limewash paint where the ceiling starts or paint the ceiling as well. I have an example of that in the list below.

The interior designer of this attic home picked out a light grey limewash paint. The wall paint complements the white paint on the ceiling and adds a subtle textured effect.

Styling by Bon Interior, photographed by Mariah Salander for Bjurfors

Light grey limewash paint in an open-plan living room

The tick white trim below the ceilings contrasts against the light grey lime paint in this space. The complementary warm textiles add a warm and inviting atmosphere to the interior.

Styling by Grey Deco, photographed by Anders Bergstedt for Alvhem

A dark grey lime paint for a dramatic effect

This beautiful living space has dark grey limewash paint on the walls. Against this dark tone, the white trim and tall floorboards stand out. This adds a strong contrast, yet the white surfaces lighten up the space a bit as well.

The dark color palette in the furniture pieces pops out from the light hardwood flooring.

via Historiska Hem

Inspiring limewash bedroom wall designs

Light grey limewash paint and black accents in a spacious bedroom

Where traditional paint will look flatter, limewash paints are great for adding extra dimension to an otherwise minimal interior. You can see the subtle brush strokes on the wall in the bedroom below. If you don’t like this many brush strokes, you add another coat.

The black lamps and the textiles on the bed contrast with the natural pigments in the paint. I love the warm tones on the duvet cover and the artwork on the wall. They contrast with the cool undertones of the grey limewash paint.

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Fredrik j Karlsson for Alvhem

Warm grey lime wash paint paired with wood and brass accents

The warm grey limewash paint used in this bedroom adds a warm glow to this marvelous interior. The paint texture adds a cozy and inviting touch to the space, contrasted by a white baseboard on the bottom.

The gold candle wall scones and the mirror are the only decorations present on the wall. This scarcity allows the lime paint to shine in the bedroom interior.

via Alvhem

A dark grey bedroom limewash wall stands out in a white interior

The darker color limewash walls are a real focal point in this interior with white living room walls. The dark grey contrasts with the natural wood double doors. Green plants connect both room styles and add a fresh touch.

via Stadshem

A rustic effect with lime wash paint and a vintage sideboard

This cozy bedroom features a beautiful combination of different textures. The lime paint texture complements the distressed look of the vintage dresser. The darker backdrop makes the vintage piece stand out.

via Stadshem

A subtle sage green bedroom with a limewash finish

This historic bedroom interior features sage-green walls with a limewash texture. The limewash makes the historic architectural features and the built-in wardrobe stand out.

via Alvhem

Grey Limewash paint combined with white window frames and a burgundy linen curtain

I love the texture the limewash paint gives this beautiful bedroom with a warm color palette. The white-soaped floor and the white window frames stand out against this texture. Finally, the burgundy tint on the linen curtain and the lamp add even more character to this bedroom.

via Historiska Hem

A grey limewash paint is the base for a sophisticated and elegant look

The grey texture on the wall makes for the perfect backdrop for the elegant textiles in the space. The white fabric pendant light and the light oak stool behind the bed stand out in this color palette. As the cherry on top, the elegant thin black table lamps add a lovely touch of contrast.

Styled by Pella Hedeby, art director Therese Sennerholt, photographed by Erik Lefvander for Länna Mobler

A peach limewash paint paired with a white wardrobe and ceiling

The peach limewash treatment covers the entire wall structure in this bedroom interior. This results in such an impressive effect. The negative space of the white ceiling section makes the room look taller. For added contrast, the off-white wardrobe doors stand out against the warm wall color.

via Unika Hem

A contrasting grey with blue undertones paired with a white wardrobe

The beautiful grey limewash paint on the wall in this bedroom has blue undertones. These cool tones contrast with the impressive white wardrobe against the wall.

The mirror and the wall lamps pop out against the backdrop of the lime paint.

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Janne Olander for Stadshem

A rich green lime paint contrasted by white textiles on the canopy bed

The rich green texture on the bedroom walls in the example below adds a dramatic look to the space. The white and beige textiles on the canopy bed light up the palette.

Styling by Grey Deco, photographed by Anders Bergstedt for Alvhem

Grey limewash paint and white accents

On this beautiful bedroom wall, the brush strokes are clear and visible. A second coat could make this effect more subtle.

The dark grey color of the limewash paint makes the white linen bedding and white wall lamps stand out.

The living room walls are painted with the same grey limewash paint for an integrated effect.

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Janne Olander for Stadshem

Blue limewash paint for a contrasting bedroom effect

Grey and beige are the most common color choices when picking out limewash paint. Yet this blue color variant looks so beautiful as well.

Blue is a perfect color for a bedroom, as it adds a fresh touch to the interior. This dark blue variant has a dramatic touch to it from which the lighter colors pop out.

via Entrance Makleri

Visible texture in the limewash paint brush strokes and a boho touch

The rattan headboard gives this bedroom a boho touch, complementing the limewash walls. The mixture of pink and peach textiles on the bed brings out the warm undertones of the limewash paint. Right below the ceiling, the moldings stand out against the wall.

via Alvhem

A subtle grey lime paint with a matte finish and a light wood bed

Grey limewash paint can have a subtle industrial concrete touch to it. The resemblance with a concrete finish depends on the direction of the brush strokes.

This bedroom pairs a grey limewash paint with a wood bed for an industrial yet Scandinavian look.

Styled by Pella Hedeby, photographed by Ragnar Ómarsson for IKEA Livet Hemma

A moody bedroom with dark grey limewash paint

This is the darkest tint of limewash paint on the list. This dark color has a dramatic effect on this attic bedroom space. The sloped walls also have paint on them, yet the ceiling is white so the look doesn’t become too heavy.

via Wrede

Beige limewash paint for a warm look with soft tonal variations

The warming color palette of this bedroom starts with the beige limewash paint as the basis for the look. Additionally, the vintage bedside tables, art prints, and warm textiles add more coziness.

The texture of the wall has an impressive effect on the space. This eliminates the need for a lot of details and accessories.

Styled by Linnéa H. Manaberi for Kvarteret Makleri

Limewash accent wall

A lime paint accent in between brick walls

A limewash accent wall is a great way to accentuate an interior feature. Limewash paint makes the niche between a brick arch stand out even more in this bedroom.

The white shelving stands out against the beautiful textured backdrop. It’s the perfect spot for precious deco items.

Styling by team Sarah Widman for  Alvhem

Grey limewash paint in a small and cozy apartment

Painting the entire interior with limewash paint is too much for some people. Alternatively, you can work with an accent wall in lime paint. In the example below, the grey limewash is paired with white paint. This creates an interesting effect in the room.

Styled by Bon Interior, photographed by Jens Eliasson for Bjurfors

Limewash paint in the kitchen

Beige limewash paint behind black kitchen cabinets

In this kitchen, the black cabinets pop out against a soft beige backdrop of limewash paint. The beige wall color softens the contrast between the cabinet color and the walls.

Styling by Grey Deco, photographed by Anders Bergstedt for Alvhem

Lime paint on the walls and ceiling

This spacious living kitchen has tall sloped ceilings. Both wall and ceiling surfaces have limewash paint on them for a monotone textured look.

The textural effect is much more impressive when you paint the entire space. The black furniture pieces and white kitchen stand out against this textured backdrop.

Styled by Copparstad, photographed by Boukari for Historiska Hem

A sage green limewash wall complements a sage green kitchen

The sage-green limewash paint on the walls complements the gorgeous sage-green kitchen cabinets. This tone-on-tone look has an impressive effect on the space.

Styled by Annica Clarmell and Emma Fischer, photographed by Janne Olander for Stadshem

Beige limewash walls complement exposed brick

The beige lime paint complements the brick wall surfaces in this living kitchen. Additionally, the limewash-painted walls make the crisp white kitchen cabinets stand out.

Styled by Linnéa H. Manaberi, photographed by Fredrik Karlsson for Alvhem

How to apply limewash paints

Do I need a primer?

Limewash paint can be used in the interior and exterior of a home. It works on wood, masonry surfaces, previously painted surfaces, and plastered walls. Whether you need a primer depends on the porosity of your surface.

If you are painting limewash paint on drywall or previously painted surfaces you will need a base coat. A mineral-based primer or acrylic-based primer will create a microporous surface. Note that the amount of limewash paint you need will also depend on the surface porosity. Porous surfaces will need much more than non-porous surfaces.

How to apply limewash paint

Limewash paint should be applied using several coats with a big brush. By doing this, you can create the desired finish. The ‘up and down’ method will deliver a more plain result. Use the ‘x-strokes’ method for a cloudy effect and a mottled appearance. More info about that here.

There is no right or wrong way to apply limewash paint. You can work with several thin coats to get the desired effect. At least two coats are necessary, as one coat shows all the streaks.

Apply the first coat and then see if you want to make changes to the texture in the next coat.

Where to get Limewash paint

Kalklitir has a beautiful collection of eco-friendly limewash paints with a nuanced texture. I love browsing through the interior spaces with limewashed walls on their Instagram.

Bauwerk colour has one of the biggest color catalogs for limewashed walls in any color or shade. They have great examples on their website as well to get some color inspiration.

For those of you based in US, Portola Paints might be a great local option, you can have a look at their website here.

Can you DIY limewash paint?

While I haven’t tried this myself, it is possible to make your own limewash paint. You would need to make a lime putty from water mixed with hydrated lime. The last one can be purchased in the hardware store. You then use natural pigments to get the desired color.

This beautiful turn-of-the-century apartment (for sale via Stadshem) has gorgeous white-soaped hardwood flooring, a white ceiling trim, and beautiful greige wall colors in the living room and bedroom.

A greige wall color is a gray-beige, or better said a warm, gray paint color with warm undertones. Greige paint colors come in a variety of shades and the amount of natural light the room gets will highly influence the red or yellow undertones in the paint.

Greige, or warm gray walls in the living and dining room

The living and dining room in this turn-of-the-century Swedish home has a beautiful greige wall color on the walls, which brings out the white trim on the ceiling, windows, and door frames in such a nice way. The white-soaped hardwood flooring has a very light color which complements nicely with the greige paint on the walls.

A white linen sofa (it’s an Ikea sofa with a Bemz custom cover in white linen*) in the living room lightens up the color palette and the warm tones in the linen throw pillows bring out the warm undertones in the greige wall color. The vintage cabinet by the wall is an ideal spot to store the firewood next to the fireplace and the black accents in the masks and the floor vases add a bit of character.

The dining table has these beautiful black accent chairs as well, which look very fresh in combination with the white linen tablecloth* and the green plants.

A white kitchen with wood countertops

The walls of the kitchen have been painted off-white, which matches nicely with the simple white kitchen cabinets and the warm wood tones on the countertops. The round kitchen dining table has the same chairs as in the main dining room, yet in wood tones that match the kitchen countertop.

The same greige paint color on the bedroom walls

The same greige wall color as in the living room has been used in the bedroom as well, where the gray-beige walls have been paired up with white fabric lampshades on the bedside tables and a paper shade pendant in the middle of the room.

The mixture of gray and beige textiles on the bed brings out the warm undertones in the paint color and just like in the living room, you can find some black accents in the form of the bedside tables to add some contrast.

The best greige paint colors to try to achieve this look

If you are looking to achieve this look on your walls, you could give a warm and mute gray like Charleston Gray from Farrow & Ball* a try, which has brown undertones that create a warm atmosphere. Note though that you should always try out a sample of the color in the room you are planning to paint so you can get an idea of the effect of the material and the natural light in the space on the undertones of the paint.

via Stadshem

I love inspiring studio spaces, as they prove that you don’t need a lot of floor space to be able to live in a well-designed space. This living space in a Swedish apartment shares a bedroom and a sofa area and a small storage solution that makes use of the vertical space available in this home.

An inspiring one-bedroom apartment with a beige color palette

The walls in this studio apartment have been kept white, which reflects the daylight coming in through those windows and makes the space appear bigger. The beige color palette adds an elegant touch to this small space and the palette comes back in the sleeping space as well as in the living area.

The beige sofa has been decorated with a beautiful mixture of throw pillows with black accents and the beige coffee table combination works very nicely on top of the beige textured area rug.

The beige palette with the black accent comes back in the sleeping area of this studio apartment, which has been placed in front of those big windows. The large mirror opposed to the bedroom reflects both the space and the natural light, which makes the studio apartment seem bigger.

Optimal usage of wall space as a space-saving solution

Storage space is one of the most important elements in one-bedroom apartments or studio apartments and I think in this home, the owners have found an elegant solution that doesn’t take up much of the limited space available.

A series of low Ikea Besta cabinets have been mounted right underneath the ceiling, leaving the area underneath it open, yet still offering valuable storage space. Underneath the cabinets, an elegant wall shelf has been placed to display decor pieces and books, while other things can be stored away in the closed storage unit.

Other studio apartments to take inspiration from

Looking for more inspiration on how to decorate a small studio space or one-bedroom apartment? Have a look at this blog post, where I consolidated the most inspiring studio decorating tips and ideas.

via Innerstadspecialisten

I love the mid-grey wall color in the living and dining rooms of this beautiful Swedish apartment. The grey walls have warm undertones, which complement the warm wood of the herringbone hardwood flooring. The white trimming on the ceiling, the beautiful rounded windows, and the white-painted iron radiators all stand out so nicely against the grey walls.

Grey walls in the living and dining rooms

The grey walls in this home aren’t quite as dark as the gray paint color that was chosen for this small apartment for example, but they are dark enough to add a bit of a dramatic effect to the daylight-flooded rooms.

The living room has been decorated with a grey textile sofa and light grey coffee tables with a blue vase that really stands out in the space. The adjacent dining room has been fitted with a black dining table and chairs, which add so much contrast here.

Just like the blue vase in the living room, the blue flowers add a colorful focal point that stands out so nicely against the perfect backdrop created by the grey walls. The dark blue art print on the wall matches this color scheme and I love the way those pops of blue brighten this otherwise neutral color scheme.

A kitchen with solid wood cabinets

The kitchen has been built in a relatively small space that has a curved wall that becomes more narrow towards the window. Because of this, the kitchen layout has been planned in one line against the wall.

The natural finish of the solid wood kitchen cabinets works wonderfully with the grey limestone countertops and complements the hardwood flooring perfectly. The different shades of wood in the cabinet doors, the flooring, and the dining chairs work in perfect cohesion together.

Since the kitchen has been built in a rather narrow space, the layout is concentrated on the bottom area, giving the kitchen cabinets a lighter look. In the upper area, solid wood open shelving has been installed which matches the kitchen cabinets.

While the grey walls in the living room are dark and have warm undertones, the wall color in the kitchen is lighter and has green undertones for a lighter and refreshing look that goes well with the solid wood cabinets.

via RC