Interior Limewash in Cincinnati, OH
A soft, mineral wall finish with natural movement, applied by hand by Slye's Painting for homes in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Velvety, matte and quietly different every time the light changes.
Founded in 2015 by Michael Slye, our own insured crew brushes every wall. Two years of worry-free touch-ups come with every project.
A wall finish that looks lived in, in the best way
Limewash is a mineral-based wall finish made from limestone that has been burned, slaked and mixed into a thin, chalky wash. Standard paint forms a flat film on top of the wall. Limewash goes on in thin, crossing brush coats and leaves soft, cloud-like movement behind. The surface is velvety and matte, and it shifts with the light through the day, which is why designers keep asking for it and why it carries so much old-world character. Slye's Painting applies interior limewash by hand for homeowners across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, from a single accent wall to a full bedroom, bath or living room. The look is yours to set, quiet and subtle or layered and dramatic. We sample the finish on your own wall first, in your own light, so you see how it reads before the whole room is committed.
Four ways the finish can move
Illustrative swatches only. Real limewash reads differently in every room, so we sample on your wall.
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Rooms that gain the most from limewash
- 01
Living rooms and bedrooms
Soft movement across large walls makes a room feel cozy and high-end without adding a single piece of decor.
- 02
Accent walls
Limewash on one feature wall adds depth and a sense of movement while the rest of the room stays calm.
- 03
Dining rooms and kitchens
A sophisticated, textured backdrop that elevates the spaces where you gather, cook and host.
- 04
Fireplaces and feature areas
Natural texture highlights architectural details and gives a hearth wall real presence.
- 05
Bathrooms and powder rooms
A breathable, natural finish that makes small spaces feel calm and a little luxurious.
How limewash compares with standard wall paint
Both have a place. Limewash is chosen for the character of the surface, so here is an honest side by side before you decide.
LimewashSoft, cloud-like movement and a velvety matte depth that changes with the light.
Standard paintUniform, consistent color across the whole wall in a range of sheens.
LimewashMineral-based, rooted in centuries-old plaster and masonry techniques.
Standard paintAcrylic or latex that sits as a film on the surface.
LimewashBrushed in thin, crossing coats by a skilled hand, with drying time between them.
Standard paintRolled on in fewer, faster coats.
LimewashAges beautifully and keeps its charm, with character that deepens over time.
Standard paintStays crisp and even, and shows wear as scuffs and sheen changes.
LimewashMore labor per wall because of the hand work and layering.
Standard paintLess labor per wall, so a lower line item for the same room.
Not sure which suits the room? Our interior painting team can quote both so you can compare.
From sample wall to finished room
Limewash rewards patience. Each step is done in order so the movement you approved on the sample is the movement you get on the wall.
- 1
Consult
We walk the room, talk through the look you want and book your estimate.
- 2
Sample
A test patch on your own wall shows the tone and movement in your light.
- 3
Prep
We protect floors and furniture, repair the surface and prepare it to take the finish.
- 4
Layer
Thin, crossing coats go on by hand, with drying time between each pass.
- 5
Walkthrough
We review the finished walls with you and clean up before we leave.
Every Slye's project includes two years of worry-free touch-ups at no cost, once a year for two years, covering nail pops, stress cracks and minor imperfections.
Interior limewash, answered
We limewash interiors across the Cincinnati side, including Indian Hill, Norwood, White Oak, Anderson Township, Milford and Loveland, and across Northern Kentucky.
- Cincinnati
- Indian Hill
- Norwood
- Anderson Township
- Covington
- Fort Thomas
- Fort Mitchell
- Florence
What is interior limewash and how is it different from paint?
Interior limewash is a mineral-based wall finish that is brushed on in thin layers instead of rolled on as a solid film. It leaves soft, cloud-like movement and a velvety matte surface that standard paint cannot copy. In Cincinnati homes it is popular for bedrooms, baths and feature walls where texture matters as much as color.
How much does interior limewash cost in Cincinnati?
Interior limewash is priced by the job, and several things move the number: the square footage of wall, the condition of the surface, how much movement and layering you want, the color depth, and how much prep the room needs. It takes more hand labor than standard paint. Book an estimate and we will quote your actual walls.
What is included in an interior limewash project?
An interior limewash project in Cincinnati includes a sample on your wall, protecting floors and furniture, surface prep, several thin hand-brushed coats with drying time between them, and a final walkthrough with cleanup. It also carries our two years of worry-free touch-ups, so small settling issues are handled without a second bill.
How long does an interior limewash job take?
Timing for interior limewash depends on the size of the room, how much movement you want and the drying time needed between coats, so it usually runs longer than a standard repaint of the same space. We give you a clear schedule with your estimate, so you know which days we are in your home before work starts.
Can limewash go in a bathroom or powder room?
Yes, bathrooms and powder rooms are some of the most popular places for interior limewash in Cincinnati. The breathable, natural finish makes small spaces feel calm and a little luxurious. We talk through splash zones and shower areas at the estimate so the finish suits how each room is actually used.
Do you limewash homes in Northern Kentucky too?
Yes, we apply interior limewash across Northern Kentucky as well as Cincinnati, including Covington, Fort Thomas, Fort Mitchell, Florence, Newport, Erlanger, Independence and Burlington. Our crew travels to both sides of the river, so you get the same hand-applied finish and the same two years of touch-ups either way.
Can limewash be touched up later?
Yes, and our two years of worry-free touch-ups cover small items such as nail pops, stress cracks and minor imperfections, once a year for two years. Because limewash is layered by hand, repairs are blended into the movement of the surrounding wall. Major drywall repair, walls over 10 feet and semi-gloss walls are not covered.
More ways to give walls character
- Roman clayA smooth, polished plaster look with subtle tonal variation and a soft sheen.See Roman clay
- Veneer plasterA hand-troweled plaster surface for walls that need a refined, hard-wearing finish.See veneer plaster
- Exterior limewashThe same mineral character for brick and masonry, built for Cincinnati weather.See exterior limewash
Ready for walls with real character?
Book an estimate for interior limewash in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky and we will bring a sample to your wall.