Limewash Paint Transforms Brick Home Exterior
By: Hannah Warne
Over the years, Tina S. tried to tackle all of her home interior projects on her own, piece by piece. While her DIY approach gave her the look she was after and allowed her to customize the project, it often resulted in more time and money spent than she originally intended. So when it came time to overhaul her home’s exterior, she knew it was best to enlist the help of the experts to avoid any of her previous pitfalls.
This time, we decided to invest in an overall scheme with an older home that left us scratching our heads with a very uninspiring use of hardscape. It had potential but lacked a cohesive presentation.
Tina turned to the design experts at brick&batten to create a cohesive exterior design instead of doing it herself. Keep reading to learn how limewash paint and other design updates transformed Tina’s home exterior.
If you want to enhance your home’s exterior but aren’t sure where to start, brick&batten can help. Our team will work with you to embrace your home’s best qualities. After a consultation with a design expert, you’ll receive a photorealistic rendering and a full resource list to help make your exterior extraordinary. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
The before
Before partnering with brick&batten, Tina’s exterior was dominated by neutral tones like beige, brown, and gray. The brick, siding, roof, and driveway were all finished in very similar colors, creating a one-note exterior she was eager to update.
She knew she wanted to make a change but wasn’t sure where to start. Luckily, she had seen brick&batten online and on social media, and she knew it was the perfect solution to help her transform her home.
brick&batten popped up each time I researched for ideas and inspiration. I was intrigued by the changes shown in the before and after images. The homes displayed on brick&batten social media came to life with a richness and classic overhaul.
After exploring brick&batten’s portfolio and poring over samples of our previous work, she knew that our design experts would be able to make her dream home exterior a reality.
The design
In this rendering, we used Avorio White limewash by Romabio on the brick to give Tina’s exterior a lived-in look. Unlike typical exterior paint, limewash is made from crushed limestone that is mixed with water and colored. The final mixture creates a matte, chalk-like texture instead of the smooth, even tone of exterior paint. This organic look was perfect for Tina’s home and looked lovely with the plentiful, lush landscaping and gray stone driveway.
Sometimes, to create a more customized look, we recommend mixing limewash with another exterior paint color. In Tina’s case, we suggested mixing the Avorio White base with Seapearl by Benjamin Moore. This off-white hue with subtle gray undertones is ideal to enhance the home’s rustic feel. Mixing the two hues muted the bright-white tones of the original limewash for a subtler, more elevated effect.
Our team also recommended painting the siding and trim in Benjamin Moore’s Seapearl for a monochromatic aesthetic. They finished the rendering with warm wood accents and hints of black metal.
Using her free revision, Tina requested some changes to the design to ensure it completely embodied her vision. While she kept the Avorio White limewash and the Seapearl siding, she asked that we update the entry area in this design option. Her first design featured the home’s original front door and surrounding trim. Based on her feedback, however, the brick&batten team updated the entryway to Seapearl by Benjamin Moore as well for a coordinating look.
This small change helped achieve the sleek and modern aesthetic that Tina loved. Dark bronze gutters and black metal accents in the form of house numbers, sconces, and windows were the finishing details used to create this high-contrast, modern look.
The process
To make her brick&batten deliverable a reality, Tina sourced a local team of contractors for her project. They helped her paint the siding and doors, install new windows, and affix new gutters — all to the specifications provided in her brick&batten design deliverable.
Once their work was complete, Tina limewashed the home herself with our recommended Romabio shade. Using the limewash, she created a transparent finish. This lightened the brick and brightened the entire exterior to match the new siding.
Once limewashing was complete, she adorned the exterior with black house numbers and refreshed the landscaping as the final touches. After almost a year, her new exterior was complete. Her formerly drab, mismatched design was transformed into a lush and bright oasis.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.
The actual after
Once complete, Tina’s new exterior was the talk of the neighborhood. The bright brick exterior had new life thanks to the lighter color and refreshed landscaping. A covered entry with dramatic columns frames the classic arched doorway and black sconces, creating a timeless effect. Finally, Benjamin Moore’s Seapearl siding ties everything together for a classic exterior that will be on-trend for years to come.
After years of DIY projects, Tina was able to experience the other side of home renovation. The ease and stress-free nature of partnering with home design experts made the process simple. As a result, she saved the time, money, and hassle she would’ve wasted had she tackled the project herself.
She was so happy with her brick&batten experience that she even recommended our virtual home design services to neighbors, friends, and family.
We LOVE it! One neighbor has enlisted the support of brick&batten, and a family member in Los Angeles has joined the brick&batten club as well. I think we WOWED our neighbors with a change, and they are speechless.
A limewash paint exterior with cohesive landscaping
Brightening up the brick has given Tina a fresh perspective on her home. As a near-perfect match for her brick&batten design deliverable, her new exterior brought our expert’s vision to life. It also allowed Tina to see her home in a brand-new way.
The house finally feels grounded to the space. All of the mismatched, drab hardscape has a sharper look, and elements work well together to meet our goal of developing a cohesive flow.
With limewash, soft Seapearl by Benjamin Moore accents, bold black house numbers, bountiful plants, and a dramatic driveway, this home offers an elevated exterior for Tina and her family that they will love for years.
If you want to overhaul the exterior of your home or business with limewash or any other paint treatment, brick&batten can help. After chatting with our experts, you’ll receive a completely customized design deliverable. From there, you’ll have all the tools you need to update your home and create your dream exterior. Ready to upgrade your exterior with brick&batten? Begin your project today!
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