This Kitchen Trend Can Make Your Space Look Like a Charming, Tuscan Retreat — "It's Instantly Warming"
Limewash has a unique, textural quality that gives spaces a subtle but expressive effect. Here's how to use it to transform kitchens


Limewash paint finish has been around for hundreds of years and for good reason. It is an earthy, eco-friendly, and versatile paint type, usually seen in old Italian villas and quaint French country cottages. Over the years, it has seen a revival in homes of all styles and sizes; TikTokers and Instagram influencers alike have DIY'd various looks with it and created stunning settings at home.
As experts suggest, this paint can be used in any type of aesthetic, and to prove that, have offered these modern kitchens as inspiration. Take a look at the different ways to use limewash paint and elevate your humble cook room.
1. Use limewash to add warmth to a single-tone kitchen
Limewash paint is neither a flat nor a uniform finish. It shows subtle brush strokes and makes a statement without being too overpowering. Plus, it works in all styles of spaces — from a modern farmhouse kitchen to a fresh, contemporary one.
'The lime-based plaster from Domingue Finishes that we used provides warmth, imperfection, and materiality, characteristics that we always seek in our designs,' says Andrew Trotter, founder of Studio Andrew Trotter.
One thing to note while using this finish: 'If the limewash is inert when dry, it's a great look as it provides a soft and aged appearance which adds to that lived-in look,' says Jane Lockhart, founder of Jane Lockhart Design. 'However, if it's a finish that can be reactivated when wet. So keep that in mind.'
2. Consider a colored limewash finish
If you're looking for a soothing, relaxing kitchen color, then you could consider limewash in other versatile yet soft tones such as pink, green, or rust. The tones will add a hint of softness and a lighthearted appeal to the room.
'Earthy tones remain a favorite choice when it comes to lime paint,' say Audur and Hjortur of Kalklitir. 'Neutral beiges and olive greens are standout choices for the spring season, offering versatility that complements a range of design styles and homes. This can easily be reflected in our best-selling colors; Palladio, Ecru & Oliva. Additionally, we see a notable demand for our darker, moodier colors, suggesting a trend towards richer tones for the year ahead.'
3. Pair limewash with veined marble
'Our goal was to emulate nature as much as possible, using its color palette in the interior,' says Artem Kropovinsky, founder & principal designer of Arsight . 'We aimed to incorporate natural materials reminiscent of a beach setting, using sand, clay, and stone as inspiration. We applied limewash on the walls and the ceiling to diversify the space, creating a beautiful backdrop. This allowed us to arrange other materials and colors perfectly, without the need for an accent wall color. This combination of different natural materials is what we liked, and we are pleased to have achieved this goal.'
'Other materials used include wood and fume veiny stone on the kitchen island and backsplash,' says Artem. 'These elements have different shades — some greenish, grayish, and brown, but together they form a beautiful arrangement.'
The two tone kitchen with colored marble and limewash will create the most visually striking space.
4. Add depth to a white kitchen with limewash
Where traditional paint will look flatter, limewash paints can add extra dimension to an otherwise minimal white kitchen or a marble kitchen.
'This paint has great durability, evidenced by its enduring presence in old European buildings,' say Audur and Hjortur. 'Maintaining these walls is simple. Just apply a fresh layer if needed. Applying a new layer of lime paint requires no preparation, offering an opportunity to effortlessly update your space with a fresh coat of color and a rejuvenated appearance. For added protection, consider our VOC-free Top Coat—a clear, matte finish ideal for high-traffic areas like cooking spaces and around sinks.'
5. Pair limewash with modern fixtures
If you're remodeling a kitchen, and want to create the most well-balanced interior, consider pairing this organic, humble paint with shiny, modern hardware and fixtures. Against the backdrop of the textural limewash, you'll find that the brass and gold elements look especially eye-catching.
'Limewash paints have a skilled artisanship quality, which can't be emulated by standard mass-production methods,' says Guillaume Coutheillas, founder of frenchCALIFORNIA. 'We use this technique to achieve a textured, deeply nuanced effect.'
3 companies to buy limewash paints from
J.H. Wall Paints has 88 shades in its limewash paints, with lots of beautiful neutrals, soft earth tones, and cooler blues and greens - the sorts of on-trend shades we're looking for in limewash paint.
Another Los Angeles-based brand, but with stockists across the country, $ Sydney Harbour Paint Company$ has limewash paint in an amazing range of colors, with all the tools you'll need to apply. You can shop online, too.
Color Atelier$ 's Lime Paint creates an authentic limewash finish, and is available is 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. You can get the primers and finishers you need, too.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletters are your inside source for what’s shaping interiors now - and what’s next. Discover trend forecasts, smart style ideas, and curated shopping inspiration that brings design to life. Subscribe today and stay ahead of the curve.

Aditi Sharma Maheshwari started her career at The Address (The Times of India), a tabloid on interiors and art. She wrote profiles of Indian artists, designers, and architects, and covered inspiring houses and commercial properties. After four years, she moved to ELLE DECOR as a senior features writer, where she contributed to the magazine and website, and also worked alongside the events team on India Design ID — the brand’s 10-day, annual design show. She wrote across topics: from designer interviews, and house tours, to new product launches, shopping pages, and reviews. After three years, she was hired as the senior editor at Houzz. The website content focused on practical advice on decorating the home and making design feel more approachable. She created fresh series on budget buys, design hacks, and DIYs, all backed with expert advice. Equipped with sizable knowledge of the industry and with a good network, she moved to Architectural Digest (Conde Nast) as the digital editor. The publication's focus was on high-end design, and her content highlighted A-listers, starchitects, and high-concept products, all customized for an audience that loves and invests in luxury. After a two-year stint, she moved to the UK and was hired at Livingetc as a design editor. She now freelances for a variety of interiors publications.
-
This Outdoor Lounger Is the Color of the Season for Garden Furniture — And It's on Sale This Weekend
This year, it's all about the contrast, and this bright, sunny hue is the perfect foil to your green outdoor spaces
By Hugh Metcalf
-
Kelly Wearstler Designed an Animal Hospital Where "Anxiety Just Melts Away", and I'm Taking Notes for My Own Home
The renowned designer's foray into healthcare demonstrates have even the most functional of spaces can still be design-forward
By Devin Toolen
-
6 Cut Flower Trends That Will Bring Lushness, Life, and a Little Bit of Luxe to Your Interiors in 2025
These are the fresh blooms florists and designers are favoring this year, plus how to arrange them for a striking look that fills your home with joy
By Lilith Hudson
-
I Spy With My Design Eye: This Specific Fabric Print Is Literally Everywhere Right Now — We've IDed It for You
It's whimsical, artistic, and full of character. We've called it already: Dedar's 'Tiger Mountain' is the fabric that will define 2025
By Devin Toolen
-
Having Mismatched Dining Chairs Is the New Telltale Sign of Serious Style — Here's How to Make It Look Intentional
Once considered a sign of a lack of care, a dining room table with different chairs now screams ultimate curation... if you can do it right, that is
By Olivia Wolfe
-
There’s a New Shape in the Garden — Why Whimsical Curves Might Be the Outdoor Furniture Silhouette of the Summer
Powder-coated petals, wavy lines, and a hint of surrealism — this microtrend is blooming, and we’re paying attention
By Julia Demer
-
I Asked Interior Designers to Share the Worst Decorating Trends They've Seen on Social Media
Just because something is trending, doesn't mean it's tasteful — from dupe-culture to OTT lighting, here's what designers hate seeing in homes
By Devin Toolen
-
I'm Calling It — Chrome Decor Is the Most Influential Design Trend of 2025 for Rooms That Feel Effortlessly Cool
Have you been eyeing a chrome candle holder or side table to complete your room's look? This is your sign to embrace the shiny, chic material
By Olivia Wolfe
-
Straight from Salone: 5 Emerging Trends I Found in Milan That'll Shape Interiors for the Year Ahead
From reflective silver to fluidity, here's my perspective on the key themes and new moods coming through from Milan Design Week
By Sarah Spiteri
-
The 'Red Table Trick' Is the Easiest and Most Expensive-Looking Trend to Hit 2025 So Far
A red dining table makes a seriously stylish statement; the beloved pop of red trend just got an bold and expensive-looking upgrade
By Olivia Wolfe