Selecting a wall finish is never just about choosing a color from a swatch - especially when working with limewash.
For the bakery at Sesilya, we wanted the walls to feel warm, soft and naturally layered rather than uniformly painted. We selected Meoded Lime Wash, a mineral-based finish made from slaked limestone, known for its matte appearance, subtle tonal variation and softly textured, plaster-like character.
But with limewash, the final color is deeply influenced by its surroundings. Natural daylight, artificial lighting, shadows, adjacent materials and even the direction of a wall can change the way the same shade is perceived throughout the day.
Testing the Color in the Actual Space
Before committing to the final color, we ordered several Meoded samples and applied them directly to different walls throughout the bakery.
Rather than evaluating the samples in one isolated area, we intentionally tested them across the space - near the windows, in areas receiving indirect daylight, and under the bakery's artificial lighting.
We then observed the samples at different times of day.
This allowed us to see not only the undertone of each color, but also how the characteristic movement of limewash interacted with the changing light.
For finishes with this much natural variation, we believe testing in the actual project environment is one of the most important parts of the selection process.
The Application Process
Once the final shade was selected, the walls were prepared for the limewash application.
Unlike conventional wall paint, limewash is traditionally applied with a wide brush rather than a roller. Our painter applied two full coats by hand, using overlapping, multidirectional brush strokes across the walls.
This cross-hatch technique is what begins to create the characteristic movement of the finish - areas of slightly lighter and deeper color gradually blend together rather than forming a perfectly uniform surface.
During application, maintaining a continuous wet edge is important. Because limewash dries considerably lighter than it appears when wet, stopping midway across a wall can leave visible transition marks.
The first coat was allowed to dry completely before the second was applied. Meoded recommends a minimum drying period of approximately eight hours between coats.
Why the Finish Changes as It Dries
One of the most interesting parts of working with limewash is watching the surface develop.
Immediately after application, the walls can appear darker and much more uneven than the finished result. As the moisture evaporates and the lime begins its natural carbonation process, the color becomes lighter and the tonal variations soften.
What initially looks quite dramatic gradually settles into the cloudy, mineral depth that defines the finish.
Rather than trying to eliminate every variation, the intention is to embrace that movement. No two sections of the wall are exactly identical - and that is part of what gives limewash its character.
The Result So Far
For Sesilya, the finished walls bring exactly the softness we were looking for. The subtle variation prevents the large wall surfaces from feeling flat, while the mineral texture responds beautifully to both daylight and the warm interior lighting.
This is still a progress look at the project.
Once the bakery is fully furnished, styled and ready to open, we'll share the completed space - and how the limewashed walls work together with the lighting, millwork, furniture and the rest of the material palette.
Final reveal coming soon.