Create a Stunning Limewash Finish
, by Ryan Casuga, 2 min reading time
Discover how to transform ordinary furniture into extraordinary pieces with this detailed tutorial from Patricia Skelton, a full-time decorative artist and Amy Howard at Home’s artist-in-residence.
Follow along as Patricia shares her expertise on using limewash powder and decorative painting techniques to give furniture an elegant and timeless look.
Inspiration Behind the Transformation
Patricia begins by highlighting how inspiration can come from anywhere, whether it's online shopping or travels abroad. Her project for this workshop was inspired by a stunning 19th-century antique piece.
With its gradation of colors and detailed finishes, this piece set the tone for her own creative journey. Starting with a Goodwill find—a mahogany veneer side table—Patricia demonstrates how to turn thrifted furniture into a masterpiece.
Materials Used:
- Amy Howard at Home Clean Slate (to prep surfaces)
- Amy Howard at Home Limewash Powder
- Amy Howard at Home Toscana Milk Paint Binder
- Pigment Powder in Scandinavian Gray
- Amy Howard at Home Chalk Paint (color: A Good Man is Hard to Find)
- Light Antiquing Wax
- Dust of Ages
- Brushes: Amy Howard’s natural bristle brushes (1.5” and 2”)
Step-by-Step Process:
1. Preparation:
Start with a clean surface. Use Clean Slate to remove oils, dirt, and residue. If the furniture is raw wood, no additional priming is needed. For finished surfaces, apply a base coat of chalk paint (Patricia used "A Good Man is Hard to Find"). This paint offers a beautiful matte finish perfect for antique-inspired projects.
2. Mixing the Limewash:
Patricia combines limewash powder with pigment powder and Tuscana Milk Paint Binder. Here’s her recommended recipe:
- 2 tablespoons Limewash Powder
- 1 teaspoon Pigment Powder (adjust to your preferred shade)
- 2 tablespoons Room-Temperature Water
- 2 tablespoons Tuscana Milk Paint Binder
Mix thoroughly to avoid clumps and achieve a smooth consistency.
3. Application:
Apply the limewash mixture with a natural bristle brush. Work in the direction of the wood grain and use thin layers for even coverage. Patricia shares techniques like pouncing and pulling the paint to create texture and gradation, mimicking the look of aged furniture.
4. Detailing:
Add depth with light antiquing wax and Dust of Ages. These materials enhance the dark and light variations, giving the piece a beautifully weathered effect.
5. Final Touches:
For the tabletop, Patricia used stencils to create a pattern over the leather surface, followed by gold leaf and a bronze glaze to highlight intricate details. She also repurposed leftover materials to create matching coasters and accent pieces.
The Finished Piece:
The result? A stunningly elegant side table with layers of texture, gradation, and artistic flair. Perfect as a conversation piece in any room, this transformation highlights the endless possibilities of Amy Howard at Home products.
