All of our frequently asked questions about our brick limewash concerning neighbors’ opinions, trends, DIY-ability, and why we chose it over paint.
We’ve been a little quiet lately — so many of you sent congratulations while we were busy with this project that I never got around to sharing the full story. In short: our limewashed brick exterior has been a labor of love and it’s been getting a lot of attention.
Our house was recently featured in Country Living Magazine in a small piece about the limewashed brick exterior we finished last January using Romabio products. That attention reminded me how often you all ask the same questions, especially if you’re considering limewashing your own exterior or brick fireplace. I’ve gathered the most common questions and practical answers here to help you decide.
We limewashed our brick over a year ago and we still love it. Below are answers based on our experience, plus a few tips if you’re weighing limewash against paint or planning a DIY approach.
1. How do your neighbors feel about your limewashed house?
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Neighbors often compliment the exterior when they pass by, and we’ve only heard praise in person. That said, our neighborhood features a mix of styles and some painted brick — we’re the only limewashed house, so our result is a good fit for this varied streetscape.
Before you make changes, check your HOA rules. Some neighborhoods restrict exterior treatments or painted masonry, so it’s important to confirm any regulations before starting.
2. What if I can’t decide whether to limewash or paint our brick?
If you’re undecided, test first. Buy a small amount of limewash and apply it to a hidden section or a spare brick to see how you feel. Limewash can look pinkish when wet and may need two coats before it reaches the final tone, so allow it to dry fully before making a final judgment.
One advantage of limewash is that it’s reversible in its early stages: within a few days you can remove it with a power washer before it fully calcifies, and even after that it can be stripped with appropriate cleaners. Painting brick is much more permanent — once painted, it’s difficult to restore to original brick without significant work.
3. Aren’t you worried limewashing is a trend that will date your house?
Limewash is a historic finish used in Europe for centuries. The product we used is made with authentic dolomite lime, which creates a subtle, breathable finish that ages naturally. While limewash has seen a resurgence in popularity, its long history and classic aesthetic make it less likely to feel like a passing fad compared with some modern trends.
I’ve noticed limewashing on homes in well-established neighborhoods for decades, and the look has enduring appeal. Because limewash interacts with the texture and grout of brick, it often feels more natural and lived-in than a solid coat of paint.
4. Is limewashing a DIY project or should I hire professionals?
For small projects like an interior or exterior fireplace, limewash is very DIY-friendly; I limewashed both of our fireplaces in an afternoon and was thrilled with the results. There are helpful video tutorials available from manufacturers and artisans that show application techniques and troubleshooting tips.
For a full exterior, whether to hire someone depends on the size of your house, your comfort with working at height, and how much time you have. We opted to hire a trained artisan for three main reasons:
1. Safety. Our house is nearly 3,000 square feet and two stories tall. Working on ladders and scaffolding adds risk that we didn’t want to take on ourselves.
2. Time and logistics. With jobs, family responsibilities and a busy schedule, we didn’t have the weeks it would take to complete the exterior ourselves. A professional worked steadily until the job was done.
3. Technique and finish. Limewashing is not the same as painting. Achieving a natural, weathered look that complements the architecture requires practiced technique. Our artisan was trained in Italy and understood how to apply the limewash so it would read like a finish that had naturally weathered over time. We’ve heard of limewash jobs done by conventional painters that looked overly uniform or “polka-dotted,” so experience matters.
If you decide to hire help, seek artisans experienced with limewash and breathable masonry finishes. Manufacturers of traditional limewash products can often recommend qualified contractors in your area.
I hope this Q&A helps if you’ve been considering limewashing brick. We’re extremely happy with how our exterior turned out and enjoy seeing beautiful limewash jobs popping up across social media. It feels timeless rather than fleeting.
If you have more questions about process, products, or finding help, feel free to ask in the comments — I’m happy to share what I can from our own experience.
