Hand-Brushed Limewash Walls and Ceilings for Ottawa Homes and Businesses
Soft, cloudy, mineral finishes applied by hand over your existing walls, ceilings, arches and columns. Designed in our Ottawa showroom, sampled in your space, and finished in days.
What Is Limewash?
Limewash is a mineral paint made from slaked limestone. Instead of sitting on the surface like acrylic paint, it soaks into the wall and cures back into stone, leaving the soft, mottled, slightly chalky texture you see in old European interiors and new design-led spaces.
Every wall is brushed by hand, so no two look the same. Depending on the colour, the number of coats and the brush technique, the result ranges from a barely-there suede wash to bold two-tone clouds.
- Natural, breathable and zero VOC
- Regulates moisture and resists mould
- Goes over drywall, plaster, brick and most painted walls
- Ages beautifully instead of peeling
How a limewash wall is built
Mineral primerBonds the wash to the existing surface and evens out absorption so the finish stays consistent.
First limewash coatHand-brushed in overlapping strokes. This coat sets the base tone and movement.
Second coat and detailingBuilds depth. Two-tone, cloudy or smooth looks are created here by hand.
Protective sealer (where needed)Optional for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and commercial high-touch areas.
Where We Apply Limewash in Ottawa
Feature Walls
Living rooms, dining rooms and entries. The most popular starting point for homeowners.
Ceilings, Arches and Coves
Limewash follows curves without seams, which makes it the natural choice for vaults, barrel ceilings and archways.
Fireplaces and Columns
Full-height fireplace surrounds and structural columns become sculptural focal points.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Calm, matte, spa-like rooms. Sealed where water is present, left raw where it is not.
Restaurants and Hospitality
Durable, sealed limewash for dining rooms, lounges and hotel interiors that need atmosphere and easy upkeep.
Clinics, Studios and Retail
Spas, cosmetic clinics, pilates studios and boutiques where the walls are part of the brand.
Not sure which finish you need?
Send us a photo or a design reference. We will tell you whether limewash, Venetian plaster or microcement produces the look, and what it costs.
Recent Limewash Projects in Ottawa
Real DWF work, photographed on site. No stock images.
See the full write-ups: Carletto restaurant limewash and Envy Cosmetic Clinic limewash, or browse the full portfolio.
Limewash Colours and Textures
Limewash is tinted with natural pigments, so the palette leans warm, soft and mineral. These are the tone families we work in most. Every colour is mixed to your space and sampled on your wall before we start.
More colours and textures are available in the design meeting and at our Ottawa showroom.
Limewash vs. Venetian Plaster vs. Microcement
| Limewash | Venetian Plaster | Microcement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Soft, cloudy, matte, brushed | Smooth or textured stone, marble, concrete looks | Seamless concrete, minimal |
| Best for | Feature walls, ceilings, bedrooms, restaurants, clinics | Fireplaces, range hoods, lobbies, columns, luxury walls | Showers, floors, countertops, wet rooms |
| Water resistance | Good when sealed | Good when sealed | Fully waterproof system |
| Typical range | $10 to $15 per sq ft | $15 to $35 per sq ft | $15 to $50 per sq ft |
| Page | You are here | Venetian plaster | Microcement |
Limewash Pricing in Ottawa
Project minimum $3,500 to $4,000. That covers site protection, custom colour mixing, sampling and the set-up every job needs regardless of size.
What moves the price
- Finish: smooth suede is quicker than two-tone or bold brushed work
- Colour: deep or custom-matched tones need more coats
- Surface: ceilings, double-height walls, arches and stairwells take longer and need access equipment
- Wet or high-touch areas: sealing adds a step
- Condition: repairs and skim coating are quoted separately
- Location: outside Ottawa adds travel
Our Limewash Process
Contact
Send photos, dimensions and any design references through the contact page or by phone.
Consultation
We talk through the look, confirm the finish and give you a clear price and timeline.
Colour and sample
Custom samples made for your light and approved before anything touches the wall.
Protect and apply
Floors, furniture and fixtures are covered. Walls are primed and hand-brushed over one to three days.
Walkthrough
We review every wall with you in daylight and under your lighting, and touch up anything you want adjusted.
What Ottawa Clients Say
“Robbie’s workmanship and professionalism are exceptional and beyond every expectation. Every visitor to our home is blown away by the finished project.”
Matt O., Google review“Robbie did our fireplace wall and it looks absolutely fantastic. He listened carefully to what we wanted and provided samples. They took great care covering the floors from the entrance door all the way to the work area.”
Nathalie E., Google review“After Robbie was done it looked as good as the work I’ve seen in Italy.”
Google review“This company does amazing work, I highly recommend for anything related to Venetian plaster.”
Serina K., Google reviewFor Designers, Architects and Contractors
Brief us with a look
Send a reference image, a material name or a mood board. We match it in limewash, produce physical samples and return a spec you can drop into your drawings.
What you get
- Physical samples within days, custom colour mixing included
- Per-square-foot pricing on plans, no site visit needed to quote
- Sealed systems for commercial, hospitality and clinical use
- Scheduling around other trades, evenings and weekends for occupied spaces
- Toronto crew for GTA projects
Limewash Ottawa FAQ
How much does limewash cost in Ottawa?
Applied limewash runs $10 to $15 per square foot including materials, with a project minimum of $3,500 to $4,000. A typical feature wall sits at the minimum. A full room, a ceiling or a commercial space is priced by the square foot from your dimensions or drawings. Colour, finish, ceiling height, wet areas and location all move the number, so send photos for an exact quote.
What is the difference between limewash and lime paint?
The terms are often used interchangeably. True limewash is a slaked-lime wash that soaks into the wall for a mottled, breathable finish, while some products sold as lime paint are pre-mixed mineral paints designed to mimic the look. We work with both, depending on the surface and the finish you want.
Is limewash washable and durable?
Cured limewash is hard-wearing and naturally antibacterial. In high-touch or wet areas we seal it for extra washability. Unsealed limewash can be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth and refreshed years later with a single coat.
Can limewash be applied over existing painted walls?
Yes. We prime painted drywall with a mineral primer so the limewash bonds properly. Brick, plaster and new drywall are also fine. Glossy, oil-based or damaged surfaces need preparation first, which we quote separately.
How long does a limewash project take?
A feature wall takes one to two days. A full room with ceiling takes two to four days. Commercial projects are scheduled around your other trades and can be done after hours.
Can I see samples before committing?
Always. We make custom samples for your space and bring them to you, or you can visit our Ottawa showroom by appointment.
Do you work outside Ottawa?
Yes. We regularly work in Kanata, Orleans, Barrhaven, Manotick, Carleton Place, Almonte, Kemptville, Rockland, Perth and the Ottawa Valley, and we have a crew in Toronto for GTA projects.
Ready to see limewash on your walls?
Send a few photos and your rough dimensions. You will have a price and a sample plan within a day.
Designers usually brief us with a material rather than a finish. Start with the look you need and we will tell you which plaster produces it.