Where to Buy Limewash Paint — The 6 Best Places to Shop

living room with limewash walls, boucle armchair, rattan chairs and contemporary lamp

(Image credit: Line Klein. Design: Danielle Siggerud)

last updated 6 August 2024

The first independent design decision I ever made was painting a wall in my bedroom with a peach-colored limewash paint. I was still living at home with my parents at the time (yes, it was a while ago) and I remember it took me weeks to even work out where to buy limewash paint from.

It’s not always available from your average paint store, it can be quite expensive and requires specialized tools to apply. In fact, it can be such a hassle that in the last few years, many have turned to DIY limewash paint hacks instead. But there’s nothing quite like the real deal; and there’s a reason the mineral-based finish has been ‘trending’ for centuries now.

So I've done the research for you, and take a deep dive into where to buy limewash paint online, so you can have it delivered straight to your door. I've asked designers for their best recommendations, I've shifted through online reviews, and spoken with people from the stores that sell it. Based on what I've found, I've shared the best limewash paint brands, as well as the tools you'll need for the job, meaning adding a tin or two to your cart and bringing all your limewash paint ideas to life is all but a click away.

bedroom with coral pink limewash wall, navy blue duvet cover, stump side table and stack of books — *My first bedroom with the coral-pink limewash wall I painted myself.*

6 Places to Buy Limewash Paint Online

Based off designer recommendations, customer reviews and wider research, these are the best places to buy limewash paint online. Some are only available to purchase direct, while others can be bought from bigger online retailers or hardware stores (which I've made a note of).

Portola Paints

Priced from: $28 per quart

Portola Paints is a small-batch, independent paint company based in Los Angeles. Their paints are made locally and embrace ancient techniques including limewash and Roman clay finishes. They're not as easy to get your hands on, though — and are only available to shop direct, or through a handful of authorized dealers.

It's worth the hassle though. Their dusty green 'Nitty Gritty' shade is renowned designer Nate Berkus' favorite color, and he shared in an Instagram post how he thinks living rooms with limewash walls in this grounded, almost-muddy shade feel moody and more inviting.

Color Atelier

Priced from: $48.90 per quart

Color Atelier's Lime Paint creates an authentic limewash finish, and is available in a rainbow of shades, from soft neutrals to bold and bright colors. Whatever you choose, you're guaranteed a soft, subtle texture and matt finish.

What's more, it's convenient that Color Atelier Lime Paint is available on Amazon, and there are heaps of first-hand reviews to read. One customer wrote: "After testing around 10 different limewash options, we were most impressed with Color Atelier's selection, as the colors were easy to apply and did not dry down with any noticeable pink/gray undertones."

Sydney Harbour Paint Company

Priced from: $34.95 per quart

Another brand out of Los Angeles, but with stockists across the country, Sydney Harbour Paint Company has over 350 shades of limewash paint — from ochre yellows to violets and burnt umbers — and also conveniently sells all the tools you need to apply them. Their paints are made by artisan paint company Porter's Paints, which is based in Sydney, Australia (and also happens to be the brand I painted my first bedroom with, so I can personally vouch for their quality).

Vasari Lime Plaster & Paint

Priced from: $35 per quart

Manufactured in California, Vasari Lime Plaster & Paint made their limewash paint from natural limestone and powdered marble, giving it an almost plaster-like effect. It's incredibly versatile and can be brushed, rolled or sprayed like normal paint, or mixed with water to achieve a more painterly lime wash.

It's also the brand of choice for interior designer Jill Norman, the co-founder and principal at Studio Mesa, who has used the brand's various plaster finishes in a number of projects, on kitchen range hoods, fireplaces and bathroom walls. Her advice for buying lime wash paint is to know where it can and cannot be used. "For instance, you cannot use limewash in bathrooms because of the moisture," she says.

Conveniently, Vasari's lime wash paints are also available to shop online from Amazon and Home Depot.

James Alexander Paint

Priced from: $105 per gallon

You can find Kansas-based James Alexander Paint on Etsy, and its low-VOC, mineral-based limewash paint will be delivered to your door within the week, free shipping included. You can also purchase their Lime Prep Primer and Densifier (a topcoat that makes the finish more durable) from the same place, for a seamless experience.

All the reviews rave about its quality. "I love the subtle movement and texture! I love the rich pigment. This is also perfect for anyone with allergies as there is no paint smell," says one customer. "I would recommend this product to anyone. With a wide variety of colors, you can be as subtle or daring as you want to be." Speaking of, they also have a specific 'Light & Airy Limewash Collection' for those wanting a softer effect.

Bauwerk Color

Priced from: $45 per quart

Bauwerk Color is probably the most popular and well-known limewash paint brand in Europe, but it's available in the US, too, direct from Bauwerk. There are hundreds of nuanced colors to choose from, although their neutral, off-white range is definitely the most timeless.

It's also the brand of choice for New York City-based interior designer Katie Harbison due to their exceptional color options. "While the success of limewash heavily relies on its application, I believe that the quality of the product is equally crucial," she says. "Bauwerk's limewash consistently provides a beautiful texture, and when it comes to deeper shades, their products deliver a remarkable richness and depth of color that enhances any space."

Limewash Paint Brushes and Tools

Limewash paint isn't applied with a normal paint brush, and requires some specialized tools and accessories to do right, including a primer and densifier (depending on the finish you want). These are some products recommended by the professionals, to get the job done.

ROMABIO Large Masonry Brush

Price: $39.97

"Limewash should be applied with a sprayer or a large block brush using X brushstrokes," explains Gary McCoy, a store manager at Lowe's, and this one affordable option has rave reviews.

James Alexander Lime-Prep Primer

Price: $79/gallon

Limewash requires a special primer when applying to previously painted surfaces, non-porous surfaces and drywall. You won't need this if you're using limewash on wood, though.

James Alexander Limewash Densifier

Price: $49

Depending on the finish you want, mixing a densifier into your final coat will give it a less chalky look. It's not a necessary purchase, but it does also help with the durability of the paint.

How expensive is limewash paint?

hallway with cream limewash paint on walls, round marble console table, herringbone floors and vase with smokebush flowers

Limewash tends to be more expensive than standard paint types. For reference, a gallon from the brands mentioned above ranges between $75 - $109, and you'll likely need multiple tins depending on the size of your project. Alternatively, standard flat paints often range between $25 - $50 for a gallon. With limewash paint, you'll also need to factor the added cost of a primer, densifier, and masonry brush or sprayer.

"Limewash paint can be more expensive than regular paint because the materials and process to apply it are different compared to other paint finishes," adds Lowe's store manager, Gary. "Limewash is usually applied in thin coats, and it can take multiple coats for full coverage, meaning the amount of paint needed to get the job done is usually more than regular paint."

How to choose a limewash paint color for your home

home office with dark limewash paint on walls, slipcover seat and built-in desk with fluted detail

Once you've decided where to buy limewash paint, you then need to decide on a paint color idea. For interior designer Katie Harbison, that decision is influenced by several factors, including the room's purpose and the amount of natural light it receives. "Additionally, it is essential that the paint harmonizes with any architectural details or existing features within the space," she adds, along with the soft furnishings, like rugs, curtains and pillows.

While rooms with lots of natural light tend to afford you more flexibility, for darker rooms, consider either a softer color that will help reflect light around the room, or embrace the space with a darker shade that will create a cozy, cocooning feeling.

Katie also notes that when choosing to buy limewash paints in any color, it's important to remember that it's a delicate finish. "Limewash is highly susceptible to marks and stains, and unfortunately, it cannot be cleaned without compromising its finish," she says. "Therefore, while its aesthetic appeal is undeniable, its practicality in a busy household is limited."

But don't let that deter you. Those imperfections, smudges, marks and stains are what makes limewash such a special paint finish. It's all part of the texture, and the unique story it tells in your home.

As someone who has spent her own money to buy limewash paint, I'd do it again and again, and would recommend it to anyone who asked. Yes, it can be expensive, but hopefully this article has armed you with the confidence to make a well-informed choice.

Emma is the Interiors Editor at Livingetc. She formerly worked on Homes To Love, one of Australia's leading interiors websites, where she wrote for some of the country's top publications including Australian House & Garden and Belle magazine. Before that she was the Content Producer for luxury linen brand, CULTIVER, where she nurtured a true appreciation for filling your home with high-quality and beautiful things. At Livingetc, she spends her days digging into the big design questions — from styling ideas to color palettes, interior trends and home tours. Outside of work hours, Emma can often be found elbow-deep at an antique store, moving her sofa for the 70th time or mentally renovating every room she walks into. Having just moved to London, she's currently starting from scratch when it comes to styling her home, which, while to many may sound daunting, to her, is just an excuse to switch up her style.