Hand Brushed Lime Wash Paint in Ottawa
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google · 27 reviews · Serving Ottawa since 2015
Limewash Paint Ottawa
What Limewash Looks Like in an Ottawa Home
Limewash isn’t paint. It’s a hand-applied mineral wash made from slaked limestone that soaks into the wall instead of sitting on top of it. The result is a soft, cloudy, slightly mottled surface that shifts subtly with the light — closer to old-world plaster than a roller-coat finish.
We’ve been hand-brushing limewash in Ottawa homes since 2015 — living rooms, primary bedrooms, feature walls, fireplaces, range hoods, powder rooms. Every project is two to three coats by our artisans, with colour and dilution mixed on site to match your space’s light and palette.
Recent Limewash Projects in Ottawa
Limewash vs. Venetian Plaster — the difference, explained
Three Limewash Finishes We Apply
The lime is the constant. What changes from one finish to the next is the texture, the amount of pigment and the way it goes on the wall. We work with three, and each suits a different kind of room.
Textured and tactile
Our in-house blend carries a fine natural aggregate, so the wall has a grain you can feel as well as see. As daylight moves across it the texture catches the light the way troweled Venetian plaster does. We use it where a wall should have presence: living-room focal walls, fireplaces, range hoods and entryways.
Thin, mineral and aged
Very thin, finely pigmented washes give the most authentic weathered look: soft, cloudy and luminous, as if the colour settled into the wall over years. With so little material on the surface there is nowhere to hide an uneven pass, so this one takes an experienced hand.
Smooth, even and calm
A soft chalk-matte lime finish with minimal grain and gentle colour variation instead of heavy mottling. It keeps the breathable qualities and the glow of lime in a quieter register, which suits bedrooms, hallways, stairwells and whole-room applications.
Choosing comes down to colour, light and technique. A deep tone that looks striking in bright southern light can feel heavy in a north-facing room, so we brush a custom sample in your space before committing to the whole room.
How It Works
1. Quote
Send photos or book a 15-minute Facetime walkthrough. We’ll come back with a price and colour direction within 24 hours.
2. Sample
We mix and apply a custom sample in your space so you can see exactly how the colour reads in your light before we commit.
3. Apply
Two to three hand-brushed coats over one to three days. Floors, furniture, and trim fully protected.
Limewash Paint Pricing in Ottawa
| Project | Price range (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Small feature wall (under 80 sq ft) | $500 – $750 |
| Medium feature wall (80–150 sq ft) | $750 – $1,500 |
| Large feature wall (150–250 sq ft) | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Small bedroom (walls + ceiling) | $1,800 – $2,500 |
| Medium bedroom | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| Large bedroom / large room | $3,500 – $5,500 |
| Square-foot rate (250+ sq ft) | $6 – $12 / sq ft |
Pricing varies by colour, technique complexity, and surface access. See the FAQ →
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between limewash, lime paint, and Venetian plaster?
Venetian plaster is a paste-like material applied with a trowel. Limewash (also called lime paint or lime wash paint) is hand-brushed and soaks into the wall. Limewash gives a cloudy, mottled look that resembles plaster at roughly one-quarter to one-half the cost.
How much does limewash paint cost in Ottawa?
Feature walls range from $500 to $2,500 depending on size. Full bedrooms range from $1,800 to $5,500. For projects over 250 sq ft, our rate is $6 to $12 per square foot, depending on colour, technique, and access.
Is limewash paint washable?
Yes, when sealed. We typically seal limewash in bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and any wall that will be touched regularly. Unsealed limewash is preferred on ceilings and low-touch walls because it’s easier to touch up.
How long does limewash last?
Properly applied limewash doesn’t peel or bubble. Most of our Ottawa projects look the same five years on as they did the day we finished. It ages by softening, not by failing.
Can limewash be applied over existing painted walls?
Yes. We apply a mineral primer over existing paint to give the limewash a surface it can bond and breathe through. The primer step is included in every quote.
Why does limewash cost more than regular paint?
Two reasons. The material is a natural lime and mineral pigment rather than mass-produced paint, and the labour is far more involved: every coat is hand-brushed in a deliberate pattern, and getting an even, cloudy finish takes the right stroke, pressure and timing. Most clients treat it as an investment in the property that they will enjoy for years.
Should limewash be sealed?
Seal it where walls get touched or wet: homes with pets or kids, commercial spaces, bathrooms and washrooms. Leave it unsealed on ceilings and walls that are rarely touched. Unsealed limewash is easier to touch up, while some sealers slightly change the texture and sheen, so we show you a sealed and unsealed sample first.
Ready to limewash your walls?
Send us a few photos and we’ll quote your project within 24 hours.
See these finishes in person
Our sister studio keeps a showroom inside Alteriors at 2183 Carling Ave — full-size limewashed and plastered walls you can touch, by appointment.